It is less then 1 month. Now is the time I start counting down the days. WOW. It has been 5 months since I said yes to God's call.
I think I am somewhat being protected from a daily thought of THE day we leave. There are lots of things going on in my life other then the mission between now and the day we leave. Christmas being a biggie. I also have a 5 day business trip the first week in January.
We all have our packing check list and it all looks very easy to accomplish. Clothes are not high on the list. We will be purchasing shalwar kamees once we get to Bangladesh and this is what we will be wearing the entire time we are there.
Bible, journal, passport, drivers license, insurance card cash, toiletries, jammies and unmentionables. There are other things but these are the most important. I will be using my highlighter as I begin to pack things.
I was reading down the list and noticed safety pins, for securing the shalwar kamee shawl in place.
I had a basket at my church for anyone who might like to donate school supplies or other toys for the children we will meet. We are very blessed with donations. Texas Roadhouse has also agreed to donate 700 or so crayons to carry with us for the children. All these donations are in addition to the 350 Hope Packs from Elim Christian Services. Follow the link if you feel lead to donate to this incredible mission.
I will be posting a calendar of expected events while we are traveling and in country.
Thank-you for your continued financial and prayerful support. The actual 18 days of travel and in country service is a short amount of time compared to the amount of time and prayer devoted to this mission so far.
I love you all!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Our next to last official meeting
Saturday was our next to last official meeting. We each got 2 boxes filled with "hope packs". Andrew and Cameron of FH, hand delivered them to us on Thursday. Each box is filled with 25 gallon size ziplock bags filled with school supplies to be delivered to the FH office in Bangladesh. Once in the hand of the FH office in Bangladesh they will be distributed to teachers in the FH run schools there. Each bag contains a tablet of paper, box of crayons, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, 12 inch ruler, 2 pens and pencils and an eraser.
These "Hope Packs" were assembled by a mission that partners with FH to distribute the packs they put together. You can find out more information about them by going to http://www.elimcs.org/. The packs are assembled by special needs adults. We are honored to be a part of this mission.
The children in Bangladesh have very little and when they can't pay for their school supplies they simply stop going to school. This is a common problem in this country.
These "Hope Packs" were assembled by a mission that partners with FH to distribute the packs they put together. You can find out more information about them by going to http://www.elimcs.org/. The packs are assembled by special needs adults. We are honored to be a part of this mission.
The children in Bangladesh have very little and when they can't pay for their school supplies they simply stop going to school. This is a common problem in this country.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I think it's time I blogged about my upcoming trip. We have had 3 meetings since last I blogged.
Things discussed today: getting donations and personally purchasing childrens small toys, crafty items, crayons, markers, paper, etc etc, misc. things that need to be packed, airline tickets including cities traveled through, squat toilets, ferries, bull sharks, parasites, location of shalwar kameez while using the squat toilet, discussion about why we will not teach "I'm a Little Teapot", teapots(they are not used in the way you think) swimsuits, NGO's, children's activities, medical packages, electrical outlet adapter, water, including tap water, bottled water and fresh and salt water(refer to bull shark), sea sickness, car sickness, motion sickness, food poisoning, snakes and bugs.
2 meetings left.
Things discussed today: getting donations and personally purchasing childrens small toys, crafty items, crayons, markers, paper, etc etc, misc. things that need to be packed, airline tickets including cities traveled through, squat toilets, ferries, bull sharks, parasites, location of shalwar kameez while using the squat toilet, discussion about why we will not teach "I'm a Little Teapot", teapots(they are not used in the way you think) swimsuits, NGO's, children's activities, medical packages, electrical outlet adapter, water, including tap water, bottled water and fresh and salt water(refer to bull shark), sea sickness, car sickness, motion sickness, food poisoning, snakes and bugs.
2 meetings left.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why?
More planning. More information. More questions. More finances raised. More finances to be raised. Lessons learned. Lessons to be learned. Lots of prayers to be prayed.
Why? Why did I choose to go on this mission trip? That was the question asked this week. What are my motives? I feel passionate about this trip.I talk about it with people I know and even people I don't know. I find more ways of getting people to check out Food For The Hungry web site. They are a huge mission. They are doing good work globally.
Recently I got an email from a new friend whom I had shared my passion for this mission with. She had a bad experience with FH. I have prayed about my response to her. Another friend helped me with that. I was called by God to this mission not FH. FH just happened to be the vehicle.
I can only hope and pray that my motives are honorable and for God's glory and not mine.
Our mission is not to testify or witness Jesus. It is to minister(to serve) these people and build relationships.
Speaking of relationships, we are continuing to build relationships with our team members. Sarah suggested we have a series of one on one meetings to get to know each other more personally. Sarah is our youngest member. She is very insightful. We paired off this week. I am planning on having coffee with Deanna this week to get to know her better. I am looking forward to this.
Each of these ladies are beautiful and I am looking forward to getting to know each of them more personally.
One of our team is extremely busy right now. She is serving on another team for a spiritual retreat that takes place in 2 weeks. Amy and I had talked about helping her with her support letters. She is all in for that and I am thrilled to help. We are going to meet at Panera or Starbucks and stuff envelopes for Lisa.
Just over one third of our financial support has been raised. Once we have raised half of the support, FH will be buying airline tickets. FH uses their resourses to find the best price tickets and the best route to Bangladesh. Last January the team went through London. This year there is talk about going through Dubai. Once those have been purchased we are locked into going. Noturningback. Humm I have heard that before. LOL
There is lots going on in my life besides this mission trip. Fun things and work things. Although work things are always fun. Over the next few weeks I have 2 seminars, one here and one in Destin FL, a trip to St Louis, a trip to Chicago and Thanksgiving. One of my grand daughters is coming over to spend the weekend this week. That is always fun.
My blog tonight seems a little scattered. I guess that is a result of watching Fox News Network and blogging at the same time.
Peace and Blessings to all.
Why? Why did I choose to go on this mission trip? That was the question asked this week. What are my motives? I feel passionate about this trip.I talk about it with people I know and even people I don't know. I find more ways of getting people to check out Food For The Hungry web site. They are a huge mission. They are doing good work globally.
Recently I got an email from a new friend whom I had shared my passion for this mission with. She had a bad experience with FH. I have prayed about my response to her. Another friend helped me with that. I was called by God to this mission not FH. FH just happened to be the vehicle.
I can only hope and pray that my motives are honorable and for God's glory and not mine.
Our mission is not to testify or witness Jesus. It is to minister(to serve) these people and build relationships.
Speaking of relationships, we are continuing to build relationships with our team members. Sarah suggested we have a series of one on one meetings to get to know each other more personally. Sarah is our youngest member. She is very insightful. We paired off this week. I am planning on having coffee with Deanna this week to get to know her better. I am looking forward to this.
Each of these ladies are beautiful and I am looking forward to getting to know each of them more personally.
One of our team is extremely busy right now. She is serving on another team for a spiritual retreat that takes place in 2 weeks. Amy and I had talked about helping her with her support letters. She is all in for that and I am thrilled to help. We are going to meet at Panera or Starbucks and stuff envelopes for Lisa.
Just over one third of our financial support has been raised. Once we have raised half of the support, FH will be buying airline tickets. FH uses their resourses to find the best price tickets and the best route to Bangladesh. Last January the team went through London. This year there is talk about going through Dubai. Once those have been purchased we are locked into going. Noturningback. Humm I have heard that before. LOL
There is lots going on in my life besides this mission trip. Fun things and work things. Although work things are always fun. Over the next few weeks I have 2 seminars, one here and one in Destin FL, a trip to St Louis, a trip to Chicago and Thanksgiving. One of my grand daughters is coming over to spend the weekend this week. That is always fun.
My blog tonight seems a little scattered. I guess that is a result of watching Fox News Network and blogging at the same time.
Peace and Blessings to all.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Bangladesh Meeting #2
Saturday we had our second meeting. Andrea and Tim Danz were our special guests. They will be going to Bangladesh in 8 weeks for FH. They're plan is to be in Bangladesh for the next 3 years. Year one will be intensive training which includes learning the language. Years 2 and 3 will in the town of Bogra, Bangladesh. When our team arrives in Dhaka in January, Andrea and Tim will be there to greet us.
I am blessed. God has given me yet another huge tangible confirmation that I am going across the world for His glory. All my financial support has been satisfied. All additional money that comes in will be used for the rest of the team. Our airline tickets will be purchased in October or November.
We will be applying for our Visa's in November. Everything is falling into place.
Trusting that God's directing every move we make.
I have gotten serious about eating less food. My niece was a missionary in Nicaragua for 2 months this summer and observed how much more food we (in the USA) consume then most other parts of the world. I have thought about that alot. I can easily eat less food and not starve. Not even close. I would like to lose a few pounds before this trip so this is a great opportunity. Squat toilets are not easy to use. Another reason to drop a few pounds.
Have I said before I am the oldest of the 7 ladies on our team. We have a tentative team name. Indy Doers. Our team members are, Lisa, Nancy, Deanna, Sarah, Amy (team leader),Sandy and me.
If you feel so inclined, please be in prayer for this team as we build rapport and continue to prepare for this God lead mission.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda
I am blessed. God has given me yet another huge tangible confirmation that I am going across the world for His glory. All my financial support has been satisfied. All additional money that comes in will be used for the rest of the team. Our airline tickets will be purchased in October or November.
We will be applying for our Visa's in November. Everything is falling into place.
Trusting that God's directing every move we make.
I have gotten serious about eating less food. My niece was a missionary in Nicaragua for 2 months this summer and observed how much more food we (in the USA) consume then most other parts of the world. I have thought about that alot. I can easily eat less food and not starve. Not even close. I would like to lose a few pounds before this trip so this is a great opportunity. Squat toilets are not easy to use. Another reason to drop a few pounds.
Have I said before I am the oldest of the 7 ladies on our team. We have a tentative team name. Indy Doers. Our team members are, Lisa, Nancy, Deanna, Sarah, Amy (team leader),Sandy and me.
If you feel so inclined, please be in prayer for this team as we build rapport and continue to prepare for this God lead mission.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda
Monday, September 1, 2008
First Team Meeting
I went to the first team meeting on Saturday morning. It was very informative. Sample support letters, Bangladesh info(I'll give some of that within this blog) and a few customs we were made aware of.
We have 6 more scheduled training meetings before we leave for Bangladesh in mid-January.
The $3200 we are hoping to each raise covers flights, traditional clothing, lodging, meals, in-country transportation, translators and project donations.
Personal costs include, passport, visa, vaccinations, and foreign health insurance. This amounts to about $350.
Vaccinations are not required but the advised list includes, typhoid, polio, tetanus, hepatitis A & B and MMR. Malaria is not warranted in the area of the country we will be in.
Appropriate clothing is essential and will make a huge difference between being accepted by people and being able to build relationships or being an object to stare at. Women must wear sandals and shalwar kameez.
Isn't that a beautiful outfit. Pants are designed to cover ankles and one size fits all. The shawls should be worn to cover the bosom area. Feet are considered unclean and sandals are worn in order to slip off easily and not cause someone to touch their feet while removing.
Taka is the local currency. The exchange rate is about Tk.70 to $1.
Some interesting facts about Bangladesh. Its capital city is Dhaka.
Population is over 141 million.
The language is Bangla and English.
It is 83.3% Muslim, 10.5% Hindu and 2.2% all others.
Their major industries are, jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer, rice, jute, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry.
Climate of Bangladesh is subtropical with temperatures ranging from an average daytime low of 70 degrees in the cold season to a top of 95 degrees in the hot season. It has 3 main seasons. The monsoon or wet season(from late May to early October) the cold season from mid-October to the end of February and the hot season (known as the little rainy season) from mid-March to mid-May. There is also a cyclone season, May to June and October to November.
Bangladesh was East Pakistan until 1971 when it became independent after one of the shortest, bloodiest wars of modern times and renamed Bangladesh.
We will be working in the schools in Telegu and Kanpuri communities. They are some of the worst slums in Dhaka. They are migrants from the south part of India and is considered part of the lowest caste of Hindu society. Most houses don't have running water or electricity. Infant mortality rate is very high. The menu consists primarily of rice, dal (lentil soup) and spinach. Malnutrition, tuberculosis and a variety of skin diseases are common.
Bangladesh is one of the first countries Food For The Hungry began to mission when they were founded in the 70's.
The staff in Bangladesh are a diverse group with about 30% Christian. FH does not require the staff to become Christian in order to work with the mission group.
Food For The Hungry's community to community(C2C) partnership is a relationship between a community in the developing world and an American church. By getting personally involved with the poor, churches are able to work towards lasting change within the context of a strong relationship. FH strives to facilitate true transformation for both American church and the international partner community.
We have 6 more scheduled training meetings before we leave for Bangladesh in mid-January.
The $3200 we are hoping to each raise covers flights, traditional clothing, lodging, meals, in-country transportation, translators and project donations.
Personal costs include, passport, visa, vaccinations, and foreign health insurance. This amounts to about $350.
Vaccinations are not required but the advised list includes, typhoid, polio, tetanus, hepatitis A & B and MMR. Malaria is not warranted in the area of the country we will be in.
Appropriate clothing is essential and will make a huge difference between being accepted by people and being able to build relationships or being an object to stare at. Women must wear sandals and shalwar kameez.
Isn't that a beautiful outfit. Pants are designed to cover ankles and one size fits all. The shawls should be worn to cover the bosom area. Feet are considered unclean and sandals are worn in order to slip off easily and not cause someone to touch their feet while removing.Taka is the local currency. The exchange rate is about Tk.70 to $1.
Some interesting facts about Bangladesh. Its capital city is Dhaka.
Population is over 141 million.
The language is Bangla and English.
It is 83.3% Muslim, 10.5% Hindu and 2.2% all others.
Their major industries are, jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer, rice, jute, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry.
Climate of Bangladesh is subtropical with temperatures ranging from an average daytime low of 70 degrees in the cold season to a top of 95 degrees in the hot season. It has 3 main seasons. The monsoon or wet season(from late May to early October) the cold season from mid-October to the end of February and the hot season (known as the little rainy season) from mid-March to mid-May. There is also a cyclone season, May to June and October to November.
Bangladesh was East Pakistan until 1971 when it became independent after one of the shortest, bloodiest wars of modern times and renamed Bangladesh.
We will be working in the schools in Telegu and Kanpuri communities. They are some of the worst slums in Dhaka. They are migrants from the south part of India and is considered part of the lowest caste of Hindu society. Most houses don't have running water or electricity. Infant mortality rate is very high. The menu consists primarily of rice, dal (lentil soup) and spinach. Malnutrition, tuberculosis and a variety of skin diseases are common.Bangladesh is one of the first countries Food For The Hungry began to mission when they were founded in the 70's.
The staff in Bangladesh are a diverse group with about 30% Christian. FH does not require the staff to become Christian in order to work with the mission group.
Food For The Hungry's community to community(C2C) partnership is a relationship between a community in the developing world and an American church. By getting personally involved with the poor, churches are able to work towards lasting change within the context of a strong relationship. FH strives to facilitate true transformation for both American church and the international partner community.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Open Support Letter
Linda Collier
156 Monterey Ct
Noblesville IN 46060
Dear family and friends,
Recently I made a decision to go on a short-term mission trip with Food for the Hungry. Drs. Ron and Annette Cargioli have been supportive by allowing me the time away from my job. I’m excited about the opportunity God is giving me to share the love of Jesus in Bangladesh and I’m writing to tell you more about both the opportunity and how you can be involved.
“Why Bangladesh?” Bangladesh is one of the poorest and spiritually unreached countries in the world. The average family lives on less than $1/day with over 300 unreached people groups. Most importantly, the millions of Bangladeshis who suffer will become dear to us as real people with real names and real needs.
“What will I do in Bangladesh?” Our team will support the educational program led year-round by the Food for the Hungry staff by helping the teachers develop their English skills. Also during this time, the team will organize and participate in activities, crafts and fun with the children in the program! Our team will be ministering to the untouchable caste, the lowest of the Hindu caste system. Our team will be demonstrating in word and deed to these families that they have tremendous worth and value. We will be the hands and feet of Jesus on this trip.
I am requesting prayer for preparation for my trip; please begin praying that I will depend on God to strengthen my character. Please pray that I go as a learner and a loving representative of Christ.
I will also need financial support. The amount for me to serve on this team is approximately $3,200 and I am trusting God to supply for His work. This will go towards the ongoing child development program costs as well as provide for my trip expenses. If you aren’t able to help financially, please know that I consider prayer support just as important. If you are willing to pray for my trip or able to give financial support, please complete the enclosed form and return it to me by September 30, 2008.
In closing, I thank you for reading this letter and considering my needs for prayer and support. Please contact me if you have any questions. I am extremely exciting about this ministry and hope you can share in my excitement.
I have enclosed information on the area of Bangladesh that we are visiting. To learn more about Food for the Hungry, please visit our website at www.fh.org.
Please leave a comment or message me if you would like to support this mission in any way.
156 Monterey Ct
Noblesville IN 46060
Dear family and friends,
Recently I made a decision to go on a short-term mission trip with Food for the Hungry. Drs. Ron and Annette Cargioli have been supportive by allowing me the time away from my job. I’m excited about the opportunity God is giving me to share the love of Jesus in Bangladesh and I’m writing to tell you more about both the opportunity and how you can be involved.
“Why Bangladesh?” Bangladesh is one of the poorest and spiritually unreached countries in the world. The average family lives on less than $1/day with over 300 unreached people groups. Most importantly, the millions of Bangladeshis who suffer will become dear to us as real people with real names and real needs.
“What will I do in Bangladesh?” Our team will support the educational program led year-round by the Food for the Hungry staff by helping the teachers develop their English skills. Also during this time, the team will organize and participate in activities, crafts and fun with the children in the program! Our team will be ministering to the untouchable caste, the lowest of the Hindu caste system. Our team will be demonstrating in word and deed to these families that they have tremendous worth and value. We will be the hands and feet of Jesus on this trip.
I am requesting prayer for preparation for my trip; please begin praying that I will depend on God to strengthen my character. Please pray that I go as a learner and a loving representative of Christ.
I will also need financial support. The amount for me to serve on this team is approximately $3,200 and I am trusting God to supply for His work. This will go towards the ongoing child development program costs as well as provide for my trip expenses. If you aren’t able to help financially, please know that I consider prayer support just as important. If you are willing to pray for my trip or able to give financial support, please complete the enclosed form and return it to me by September 30, 2008.
In closing, I thank you for reading this letter and considering my needs for prayer and support. Please contact me if you have any questions. I am extremely exciting about this ministry and hope you can share in my excitement.
I have enclosed information on the area of Bangladesh that we are visiting. To learn more about Food for the Hungry, please visit our website at www.fh.org.
Please leave a comment or message me if you would like to support this mission in any way.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Little by Little
I have been working on my support letter little by little. I actually nabbed a sample letter off the internet. I really liked some of the things it has on it. It says I am not asking for money because I know God will provide that (of course through my supporters filling that need). I am going to work on tweeking it more tomorrow. My biggest need in my estimation is prayers. I know the value of prayer and I appreciate all the prayers that can be offered up on my/our teams behalf. Above all else this mission trip is to shine God's love and light in a place where there is little hope or light.
I have never been on a mission trip. Someone told me the biggest aha for her was how needy WE are. Not how needy they are. They don't know what they are without. It is the only life they know. We on the other hand go into their world and very quickly realize how much we need that is not available to us in their world.
I have never been on a mission trip. Someone told me the biggest aha for her was how needy WE are. Not how needy they are. They don't know what they are without. It is the only life they know. We on the other hand go into their world and very quickly realize how much we need that is not available to us in their world.
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Great Adventure (lyrics) Steven Curtis Chapman
Saddle up your horses
Started out this morning in the usual way
Chasing thoughts inside my head of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle try to make it better than the last
I opened up the Bible and I read about me
Said I'd been a prisoner and God's grace had set me free
And somewhere between the pages it hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say "let's go"!
CHORUS
Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for
Chorus
Bridge:
We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams
Yeah... oh saddle up your horses... come on get ready to ride
Chorus
1 Cor. 2:9,10
Eph 2:4-10
I am working on the support letter this week. I will post it as soon as it is in the bag.
I will never grow tired seeing incredible miracles in my life and my families life.
More soon.
Started out this morning in the usual way
Chasing thoughts inside my head of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle try to make it better than the last
I opened up the Bible and I read about me
Said I'd been a prisoner and God's grace had set me free
And somewhere between the pages it hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say "let's go"!
CHORUS
Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for
Chorus
Bridge:
We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams
Yeah... oh saddle up your horses... come on get ready to ride
Chorus
1 Cor. 2:9,10
Eph 2:4-10
I am working on the support letter this week. I will post it as soon as it is in the bag.
I will never grow tired seeing incredible miracles in my life and my families life.
More soon.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New blogspot
In an effort to make my blog easy to access, I am starting to write my blogs here on BlogSpot. My intention for this blog is to keep those of you who have agreed to pray for me and support me through this journey to Bangladesh informed as to my training. My thoughts, fears, and praises.
Our first training meeting is Saturday August 30. I will get to meet everyone who has agreed to be a part of this team.
I am still reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It is an autobiography about Greg Mortenson's journey. His mission was/is to build schools for the children of Pakistan.
About a year ago I was reading Donna's blog and ultimatly began corrosponding with her. She had been in Pakistan for 10 years. Her husband and she were working with a mission organization and built hundreds of houses and a few schools while in Pakistan. A year ago the Pakistan government refused to renew their visas. They are now living in North America near their daughters. What an awesome gift they gave in their service.
What a small world we really live in.
Our first training meeting is Saturday August 30. I will get to meet everyone who has agreed to be a part of this team.
I am still reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It is an autobiography about Greg Mortenson's journey. His mission was/is to build schools for the children of Pakistan.
About a year ago I was reading Donna's blog and ultimatly began corrosponding with her. She had been in Pakistan for 10 years. Her husband and she were working with a mission organization and built hundreds of houses and a few schools while in Pakistan. A year ago the Pakistan government refused to renew their visas. They are now living in North America near their daughters. What an awesome gift they gave in their service.
What a small world we really live in.
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