Living the Good Life God Has Planned

 For we are God's handiwork ….. that we may do those good works which God planned beforehand for us ….  living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.  
(excerpt from Ephesians 2:10 AMPC)

What an amazing promise! Gary and I are incredibly blessed to be living the ‘good life which God made ready for us’.  It’s a life that supersedes our greatest expectations, dreams and plans as declared in Ephesians 3:20-21.

Sharing the truth of God’s Word is a passion for both of us.    We truly believe that Jesus would have come for one soul, and we don’t hesitate to journey to a small gathering of hungry hearts. 

It’s a joy to be part of the Body of Christ wherever we go:  at a remote village cottage meeting, a gathering of church leaders, discipleship training course, Sunday morning services or a midweek Bible study.

Discipleship Training Course

The overriding focus of every teaching we share is the same message Jesus stated in John 10:10. He said that His reason for leaving heaven and coming to earth, was so that those who choose to believe in Him and accept His saving grace would have abundant life.  

Not just life – which is a wonderful thing – but abundant life – overflowing, victorious, healthy life, joy-filled life in Christ.

Cottage (Home) Meetings

Monsoon rains are coming to our part of India – and we’re heading back to the US for the next three months.  We plan to reconnect with as many of you as possible.  

MONTANA DATES

Come be part of our Montana meetings if you are anywhere close. 

• Thursday, June 19th – @ 6:00 p.m. CrossPoint Women, Corvallis, MT
• Sunday, June 22nd @ 10 a.m. CrossPoint Church
     Corvallis, MT with Pastors Scot and Shelly Colwell
• Sunday, June 29th - 10:30 a.m. The Place Church
    Hamilton, MT with Pastors Mike and Denise Echterling

Wherever you are along your Journey with God, our prayer is that you will be encouraged today.  Gary and I are not special, or more loved – we are just two ordinary people, who serve an extraordinary God, and learned to say ‘YES’ when he says go.

True Abundant Life is only found in Jesus, lived by the power of Holy Spirit, anchored in the love of Father God.  His plans are so incredibly better than yours or mine! 

Thank you for sharing our Journey.  Let's continue together ~ Pat

Focusing on a Heart Relationship with God

Gary and I have been blessed to share the messages from the Word of God several times in the past month. It's a joy to speak at our home church here in India. The focus has been on living a genuine life as a follower of Jesus.  Not just a believer.  Not just a church member. But a true disciple. 

A life lived following the heart of God is characterized by:

Sincere worship - from our hearts, more than words sung during a church service.  Followers of Jesus need to be sincere and honest - every day, in every place.

Bold witness - from our hearts.  The more time we spend in the presence of the Lord, the more we are transformed into His image and live like Jesus lived.  Jesus lived to tell others about the Kingdom of God.  That is the calling for every believer.

Are you ready to be challenged?  We invite you to listen to these teachings.  Be open. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart. Take action when He speaks to you.

Grasshoppers or Meat Eaters: When we have a 'grasshopper mentality', we will never see ourselves as the meat-eating giant-killers God says we are. 

Two Types of Worship: Palm Sunday or Resurrection Sunday: Do we worship from emotion or from the heart? (Enjoy Nepali worship. This is the full service. message starts at 53 minutes)

Worship in Spirit and in Truth: it's the kind of worship Father God is looking for.

Come and See. Go and Tell: Instructions to the first evangelists on Resurrection Sunday morning.  This is still our mission today. (Enjoy Nepali worship. This is the full Service. Message starts at 1:13.)

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV

Our prayer is that your heart will be stirred by the Word of God; that Holy Spirit will reveal deeper truth about Who God is;  and that you will follow Him with all of your heart.

The Journey Continues ~ Pat and Gary

Who Will Go?

Throughout the world, God continues to stir the hearts of men and women to share his Good News.  Those who hear His question, “Whom shall I send? And Who will go for us?"  And answer with a resounding, “Here I am. Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8

Joseph and Abumisheu (Abu) are one such couple: passionate to share Jesus with their people group and train them as disciples in the Word. Not just believers - but disciples, followers of Jesus. March found us travelling from India to Northern Thailand to reconnect and spend a week in fellowship and ministry.  It was our first trip back since 2019, due to travel restrictions and extra costs during and post-Covid.

We were the first missionaries of any nationality to visit Joseph's home village.  What a joy to worship with believers from the Akha people group. 

The Akha people live in China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma). One of the six tribes recognized by the Thai government as a hill tribe or mountain people group, they originated in Yunnan province of Southwest China several centuries ago.

The differences between us are impossible to ignore. Our ethnicity, language, physical appearance, dress, and food are completely different. Yet even when everything is different - the Spirit of God joins our hearts. 

There is one body and one Spirit ... one Lord, one faith ... one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV

Just across the border in Myanmar is a Children’s Home where up to 20 village children live so they can attend the state school. The pastor and his wife who run this home take care of all the children’s needs, and teach them about Jesus and the Bible. During school breaks they return to their villages to spend time with their families.  

A few of the children came across the border to
 share lunch at KFC – a huge treat for them. 
Never underestimate the thrill of choosing your own soda flavor.

Did I mention the coffee?

The village of  Doi Chang is nestled in the hills of  Chiang Rai district, perfect coffee growing country. Many Akha families have coffee farms, where the parents grow and harvest the beans, while the younger generation open coffee shops onsite or in towns and cities throughout Thailand.  Eco Lodges built on the coffee farms are popular with tourists during high season.  

Abu introduced us to many of her friends and their delicious brews - yes, it was a highly caffeinated week!  

We spent a few days on the gulf of Thailand enjoying the ocean and returned to India ready for the next season of ministry.

May you embrace all that God has for you during this season of life whatever it looks like, lean into Him, commit your ways to him, trust His plan.  

The Journey Continues ~ Gary and Pat

Akha food is fresh and delicious with a lot of
homegrown organic vegetables in richly flavored broths.

The Earth is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

    the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it on the seas

    and established it on the waters.  Psalm 24:1-2 NIV

God is moving throughout the earth.  Gather25 was an unprecedented, and free, 25-hour global broadcast event telling the story and mission of the global Church, by the global Church. This was an opportunity for the 2.5 billion believers across the world to gather in prayer, worship, repentance, and commissioning, There was great rejoicing as we heard incredible stories of what God is doing around the world. 

Session 3 was broadcast from New Delhi, India.  This minute and a half intro video provides a wonderful look into India with a concise explanation how the Christian experience varies greatly throughout this great nation.  As you watch this video, may your heart be stirred, encouraged and motivated to pray. You'll want to watch more - click for the entire broadcast from India. 

It is a great joy for Gary and I to be living in India.  Wow – just typing that makes me tear up.    It’s been our lifelong desire to spend more time overseas than in America. Now that it is our reality, we are continually amazed and grateful. 

Since we are foreigners, which can draw unwanted attention, our main role is to encourage and strengthen the local Body of Christ so that they can share the love of Jesus with their family, friends and neighbors.  

Sharing the Word of God with hungry hearts, seeing them respond and begin to apply God’s truth to their lives is rewarding.

We are so grateful that you are part of our Journey with God, which is only possible because of  your faithful prayers, love and support.   

This Amazing Journey Continues ~ Pat and Gary

Join us in India as you listen to one or more of our recent teachings.  Shared in English and translated into Hindi.

I Left My Heart In Sri Lanka

We’ve travelled to Sri Lanka often enough that it’s familiar and comfortable. Two short flights from our base in India, it’s on the same time zone, so no jet lag this trip. (If you have experienced jet-lag, you understand that this is a wonderful thing)  Peeling off layers of clothes as the heat and humidity embraces us, we are welcomed by our friends and hosts Layasing and Deepthi.  

The Peacock is Sri Lanka's National Bird

During our three-week stay in Sri Lanka, we found ourselves encouraging several people with God's promise that this would be a year where the 'fruit was sweet'.  That God is bringing his people into a season of mature, sweet tasting fruit, not immature and sour fruit.

Why is this encouraging?  Because as you work for Jesus in a country where only 7.4% of the people believe in Jesus - it can be discouraging. It's natural to want to see results 'now', but fruit that is sweet takes time to mature.  God’s promise is that we will reap the harvest – if we don’t become weary and give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Eye Clinics are an effective tool to share the love of Jesus while meeting a practical need.  We travelled to four different villages, performed basic eye exams for 321 people, gave free eyeglasses as needed, and prayed for everyone.  These are people who work hard for a living, many barely making enough to feed their family. Eyeglasses are totally unaffordable – but desperately needed:  to read, to pluck tea leaves, to clean the rice and lentils that are the mainstay of their daily diet.  The message that Jesus loves them softens hearts to receive the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.  

Sharing a word of encouragement with believers in the village of Panama was a humbling experience.  They are continually persecuted for their faith.  The Buddhist monk who controls the village has declared that ‘there will never be a church here.’  Yet they continue strong in their faith, meeting in home groups. During the Sunday service in Siyambalanduwa, Gary shared a powerful word on ‘Another Touch’.  After service we were honored to set the ceremonial cornerstone for a ten-foot expansion to the church a hall - a simple concrete structure that is filled to overflowing!  What a wonderful problem to have. 

Weekdays found us embracing our inner child and acting out Bible stories for the students at Adara Sevana – a school for the differently abled.  Their smiles and hugs convey their joy, even though they are unable to verbally communicate with us.  After morning chapel we spent time just being with them: sorting and stringing beads to help with hand-eye coordination and basic cognitive function or working on our laptops while they did their letters and numbers.

You are an important part of reaching hearts for Jesus through your faithful prayers, giving and ongoing encouragement. that enables us to share His love wherever He sends us. Thank you!  

Little pieces of our hearts are left in every nation we visit - Sri Lanka continues to call us back.  

May your heart be drawn deeper into the heart of God.  May His plans and purposes for your life be your priority every day.

The Journey Continues ~ Gary and Pat

What Do You See?

Think about a time when you couldn’t see.  Maybe you woke up in a strange room, it was dark outside, there were no lights on, so when you opened your eyes, you still couldn’t see.  Or maybe like me you wear glasses or contacts, and without them you simply can’t see much at all.

Jesus talks about sight a lot; about ‘seeing’ in the natural and the spiritual.  It’s one of the most important senses we have, and we use it every day without even thinking about it.

As we begin this new year let’s think about what we see.  What’s around us now, what is behind us and what is ahead of us.  We can’t change what is behind – but we absolutely can change what is ahead of us.  I want to challenge you to see what God sees – and if you don’t think you can do that – ask Him to show you why not. What is blocking your vision?

When we conduct eye camps (clinics) in tea garden villages, most of the people have never been to an eye doctor, they simply can’t afford it.  So as Gary puts different strength lenses in front of their eyes and asks them which is better, they often say,  ‘ok’.  That’s not an answer to the question - but they honestly aren’t used to having a choice.   It takes some explaining by the translator to get them to understand that there is a difference, and they get to choose.  

Then, there is no greater joy than seeing the huge smile that lights up a their face when the correct strength of glasses are placed in front of their eyes, and they can actually see to read, or thread a needle, or pick tea leaves, or look around and things are clear in the distance.  

That’s how it is with our spiritual sight – we often get so used to where we are and what we are doing – should I dare say we get in a rut?  A comfortable rut maybe, but is it really the best that God has for you?  Or are you just accepting it?  You hear someone say, ‘It’s a new year. New things from God. ' And you’re like, ‘okay – sure – whatever'. That's not the right answer.

The right answer is to cry out with all of our hearts, ‘Lord let me see what you see for my future, for my life starting today and every day.’   I challenge you – don’t settle.  Don’t miss out on what God Almighty has for you.

However, as it is written:   “What no eye has seen,  what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” - the things God has prepared for those who love him - these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. I Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV

Eye vision clinics are a powerful way to show the love of Jesus in a practical way – it opens hearts and minds to receive the truth that Jesus loves them.   The village church schedules church services on the workers' day off (Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the tea garden’s schedule).  After each service, we did eye exams for 40 – 60 people, and gave eyeglasses to the ones who needed them.   All were prayed for.  

Click to watch this short slide show that helps to capture the experience of a village church service and eye clinic.  

It’s an amazing experience. We’re incredibly blessed to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You have a part in each life that is touched – because you give financially, you pray, you encourage and support us as we go.

Christmas in India is all about sharing the story of why Jesus came.  Watch this short video to share the joyful Christmas Celebration in a Tea Garden Village.

Our prayer for you, for today and for 2025:  “ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”   Ephesians 1:17-18   

To know Him better – this amazing God we serve. To really see the greatness of His power at work in your life.   Take time to read the entire first chapter of Ephesians – read it out loud, let it penetrate your heart and mind and blow away the cobwebs of complacency.

In the middle of every challenge life throws your way: May your eyes be open to see Him who is above all, who loves you with an unfathomable, endless love, and Who is with you through the fire, through the water, through the storm. (Isaiah 43:2) You are never alone.

This Amazing Journey With God Continues ~ Pat and Gary

Joy To The World

There was much rejoicing this week as Gary and I taught the second week of a 4-week discipleship course. The overall topic for the week was “Transformation”. 

Joy was the overwhelming emotion as we saw Holy Spirit meet people at every level. 

In class:  Holy Spirit infilling with evidence of speaking in tongues, deeper revelation of spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and the power of Holy Spirit that is available to each of us. Challenging reminders that in this life we will have persecution - but Jesus overcame the world, and so can we. 

During an evening meeting at a local church, we prayed for everyone there, and many miracle testimonies were shared.  Including one woman who hadn’t walked normally for 20 years. After prayer she grabbed Gary’s hand and began walking back and forth in the room. Pain had left her body. Thank you Jesus! 

The church gathers in a courtyard with concrete walls and floor, and tent-like fabric panels for a ceiling.    Everyone was bundled up in jackets and scarves, sitting on thin mats covering the cold concrete floor, listening attentively as the word was shared in English and translated into Punjabi.

India is #11 on Open Doors World Watch List, which monitors countries whose government or primary religion is strongly opposed to Christianity.  For everyone’s protection, we are careful not to share specific details of our location or to share our travels on social media.

Our prayer for you this Christmas is that you will receive a new, deeper understanding of Immanuel; God with Us. God with You. 

You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion,  for when we take your gifts to those in need,  it causes many to give thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 TPT

Merry Christmas

With All Our Love

Gary and Pat

Delicious home-cooked food

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