A Look Ahead to 2011

One of the things I’ve learned in the Open Door Ministry regarding our work is that it is constantly forward-looking. The past is there for us to learn lessons from experience, but not to rest on our laurels. In Philippians 3:13, the apostle Paul states the principle of forgetting what lies behind and looking forward to the future in terms of spiritual advancement. The same principle is true of any area of life, that we must look ahead if we are going to move forward; otherwise we’ll get behind.

In looking ahead to 2011, there is excitement not only in the mission journeys ahead of us, but in the overall direction of God’s Open Door Ministry.

The mission journeys are as follows: March 17-28 is the date of our Medical/Evangelism mission journey to the Philippines. We are currently assembling that team with first-timers as well as those who have gone with us in the past. What makes this trip somewhat unique is that I, along with Chad & Amanda Garrett (along with their 6-month-old son, Koen), will be leaving mid-February and spend 4 weeks doing many vital things, one of which is to lay the groundwork for the Medical Mission as well as setting up the new Higgins infirmary on the campus of Philippine Theological College. Then we will return with the entire team on March 28. April 15-23 is the proposed date to return to Tuschen,Guyana to assist them in their new community to preach the gospel and see to some benevolent projects. June and July are months in which we will return to the Philippines and Guyana once again. Then in October we will resume the normal schedule of conducting our Medical/Evangelism mission. October is the month in which we usually do that, but we were unable to conduct a medical mission this past October, which is why we are holding a medical mission in March.

Our mission teams in the Open Door Ministry are always blessed with a camaraderie and unity of purpose which fosters a real “family” feel among the members. We love each other and the work in which we are engaged. In all my years of mission work, I’ve never experienced greater unity than with these teams. We are now recruiting foot soldiers to assist our efforts in March. However, if you are unable to make that journey, won’t you come and go with us on another above-listed journey as we endeavor to serve God by serving others in spiritual, benevolent, and medical ways?

If you are considering going with us, please contact me by e-mail or cell phone with the information under my name in the back of this newsletter. Just because you contact me does not mean you are committed. It may be that you just have some curious questions in order to mull over the possibility of serving the Master in these endeavors. I will pray that you will e-mail me or pick up the phone to make that contact. God bless you.