Thursday, February 28, 2013

It’s a Small World After All!

I met Lynne Waldron’s son and daughter-in-law before I ever knew her and her super fun hubby.  So, if it is true that children are great imitators & likely to live up to what you believe in them; I know that Lynne and Eddie instilled amazing values for their children to imitate and believed so much in their children.  I was pleasantly surprised to have a connection through Lynne when we started going to Hub City Vineyard.  She has a sweet smile, an amazing sense of humor and among a few other women that I’ve met…I kind of want to be like her when I grow up.

In almost 18 years of nursing, most of her career was spent in mother/baby care.  For the last year and a half, she has worked in our hospital's education department, focusing on leadership development. She has a master's degree in nursing education and has been married for the last 30 years to her high school sweetheart!  (How adorable is that?!)  They have two sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law who is expecting their first grandchild in June.  She has been on numerous missions trips and has traveled to Nicaragua the past two years with The Olive Branch team.  She is looking forward to this year’s trip as well!
I don’t know about  the rest of the team, but I know that my butterflies have started with little more than a day left before we depart…please lift us up now more than ever!
-Chan

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The man with a moustache…

Terry Glunt is tall, funny and has done just about everything under the sun and surprises me with his wise tidbits all too frequently.  He’s also a man who knows good chicken wings and how to share them.  I’m really looking forward to serving alongside this brother!


This will be Terry’s second missionary trip and he is excited.  Terry has served over 20 years as a firefighter/paramedic and is employed by the National Fire Academy.  He will be assisting on the medical team once more and feels blessed to have this opportunity again.

3 days to go...getting excited!!

-Chan

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

An old friend for some; a new friend for me!

When I met Amy Evans, I thought she was the quintessential school grade teacher.  Little did I know that she actually WAS a school grade teacher!  A woman with a kind heart and a gently smile.  While preparing for our trip her mother received a diagnosis of breast cancer.  Well, praise Jesus that they removed it, are awaiting the biopsy, but have the confirmation back that it did NOT spread to her lymph nodes!

Instead of re-phrasing for her, I’ll just pull straight from her Nica bio:  “I am a preschool teacher, massage therapist, single mother, but most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. Growing up, I was involved in a lot of short term missions trips, mostly with a focus on street ministry/evangelism. As the years have gone by, I've become more interested in being the hands and feet of Jesus...allowing my actions to speak for my faith, and letting someone more gifted in preaching take on the street ministry. My church home in Hanover places a lot of emphasis on local community outreach, which I love and enjoy. I also believe I am part of a more global community, which I am to serve whenever I am able. I was looking for a service oriented outreach to join last fall, when Gary posted about a trip to Nicaragua working along with a group called Olive Tree Nicaragua. I visited the site, really liked what I saw, prayed about it, and asked to join the group. I am very excited about this opportunity and can't wait to meet and work with you.”

-Chan

Monday, February 25, 2013

One of the sweetest ladies I know…

So, this description could describe any number of the women that I know, but for right now it goes in full force to Mary Perkins.  This woman’s heart for Christ, obedience to God’s calling, generosity and love for people astounds me.  I’m not so sure how I would be going on this trip if it hadn’t been for her.

This will be her second trip with Olive Tree.  She is a family nurse practitioner at a wonderful busy free clinic.  Her daughters are grown and live in California.  As a Jesus follower, her passion is to care for the sick and broken-hearted.  Her Heavenly Father always takes her out of her comfort zone within the first day on mission and it humbles her.
We have 4.5 days to go until departure and are in need of prayer more than ever.  That devil dude thinks he can play in Jesus' playground.  The gate is closed, brother...walk on!
-Chan

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Our Fearless Leader!

I know a man named Gary Recher.  While I've only known him for about 8 months, I am proud to call him a brother in Christ and am looking forward to spending the week by his side on the building team.  From our conversations, it seems that he and I share a kindred spirit for sarcastic humor and a love for others.


Gary is a husband, father of 3 adult children and is looking forward to the birth of his first grandson who is due March 1.  (Here's hoping he comes a few days early!!)  This is his 3rd trip to Nicaragua in his quest to love God, love others and serve the world.

Please continue to lift our team up as we prepare to depart in less than 6 days!

-Chan

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Ocho y, hoy siete mas dias...

8 and today 7 more days.  Like, we'll be very close to landing in Nicaragua by this time next week.

The tremendous outpouring of love, support and prayers is overwhelming.

Tomorrow, we have our final meeting prior to our departure date.  After that, I'll introduce you all to one of our team each day between now and then!

Have a blessed week!

-Chan

Thursday, February 21, 2013

9

So, I meant to start the countdown at 10, but hubby had the laptop at work.  Please pray as the team prepares!  We are so looking forward to this opportunity to serve.  Nica Team's motto is to, "Love God, Love Others & Serve the World".  Your support helps us to do exactly that!

-Chan