Archive - June, 2010

What Am I Missing??

June 2, 2010 in Mission with 3 Comments

On each mission trip I lead someone always asks, “What should I pack?” I also hear “how much should I take with me” in our pre-meeting trips. These are great questions to be asking as one prepares to leave on an international trip. In todays world with travel fees and limited luggage space we need to ask ourselves what are the most important things to have with us.

I have utilized a packing list for many years. I do not always take each item with me, but I list everything on one sheet of paper so I can decide what I will take based on the trip and the needs. I hate forgetting things or realizing later that a particular item was not listed on my travel list. Therefore, my list is updated often with new “potential” packing items. Again, just because it is on the list doesn’t mean I pack it for each trip. I like having the option to decide for each trip if certain items are necessary.

Packing List for Mission Trip

  • Underwear
  • T-Shirts (under)
  • Casual/Dress Shirts
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Belt
  • Socks
  • Shoes/Crocs
  • Swimsuit
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Earplugs
  • Meds
  • Razor
  • Contact Stuff
  • Glasses/Cases
  • Cell Phone/Charger
  • Computer Stuff
  • Checkbook
  • Cash
  • Bible
  • Pictures
  • Food
  • Passport
  • Money
  • Tickets
  • Books/Mags
  • Bible/Journal/Sermons
  • Camera/Video/Ipod
  • Phone/Charger
  • TV/DVD
  • Teaching Material

Are there things I am missing?

Read All About It

June 1, 2010 in Family, missional with 0 Comments

I want to introduce you to Cheryl Read.

Cheryl is a cousin to my wife Amy. Cheryl and her husband, Chris, live in Northeast Texas and have four (4) sons. Her family is an excellent example of a family who are living on mission for Jesus right in the middle of suburban U.S.A. . They are not a perfect family and she will probably kill me for posting this, but they are an ordinary family that is seeking to live out the call of Christ in their community.

It all began with a trip to Ghana several years ago. Cheryl was following what she knew was obedience to a command to go. Upon returning from Ghana she started returning yearly with people and supplies that would not only help people physically but also spiritually. She has since helped begin an organization that is active working in Ghana. If I remember correctly she has been active in Ghana for over seven years.

Cheryl also is active in a refugee ministry in the inner city of Dallas. I am so challenged in my walk by her family. The Read’s have not made being on mission a segment of their life that is lived out each summer in another country.  They are active in their Jerusalem each week.

I encourage you to go and check Cheryl’s blog and follow along with her as see seeks to be salt and light in the world she has been placed to lived and the world she chooses to go to.