I wanted to begin my trip to Peru with this first official blog post and a truly warm and sincere "Thank You" to my church family at Wrightsboro Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC. To WBC, I thank you for your support of my first mission trip and for your prayers for me as I listen for the Lord's call to serve.
In this past year I have been blessed in more ways than I can describe. It has by far been the best year of my life. It's funny though, if I had made that statement over a year ago it would have meant that I had won the lottery or benefitted from some kind of financial windfall. I was definitely all about the dollar - that's where my mind was and my heart eagerly followed.
It took me 43 years and a few whacks over the head by the Good Lord for me to understand that, in my life, money and blessings don't have a thing to do with each other. I needed to look down another path and when I did, it changed my life forever.
The single biggest thing that I did which impacted my life the most this past year was to spend real, quality time getting to know Him - my God and Lord. I went beyond just knowing about Him and I decided to really get to know Him through studying His Word and through fellowship in prayer. And what I discovered was a loving and truly generous God indeed!
But I must say that running a close second on the list of things that impacted me this past year...this best year...this blessed year was spending real, quality time getting to know You - my church family at Wrightsboro Baptist. And it was also through fellowship and prayer that I discovered the loving and generous congregation that is now my church home.
I want to thank you all for your support of this mission trip through your fellowship, generous love offering, and especially through your prayers. Your prayers for me and for the peoples I will encounter in Peru will open doors, change lives, and build up the body of Christ. I already look forward to getting back in March and sharing with you what God has already planned to do through your prayers for the peoples of Peru.
It is my intention to share as much of my trip and experiences with you "as it happens" using this blog site. I do not yet know what communications/internet limitations I will have out in the field, but I will try my very best to keep you up-to-date.
Yours in Christ-Greg Danford
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Are you there yet?
ReplyDeleteHello Cousin, Prayed for you last night in Prayer Service. Know God is going to do something awesome while you are there. Oh Walt Futch survived his first Wednesday Night with the R.A.'s Mike & Sylvia
ReplyDeleteGreg,
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of you and what you are doing for the Lord. We pray for your safety and for good things to happen while you are there.
Hey Greg,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you, we've enjoyed reading your blog. This is a wonderful way to stay in contact and being able to experience your trip as you are experience it. We pray you will have a great trip and pray the Lord will bless you.
PS the thank to WBC was tremendous. I hope it will be shared soon with our congregation.
In Christian Love,
Warren, Gwen and Jonathan
Greg Danford!
ReplyDeleteIn RA's we have been praying for you and the mission that you are on. Most of our prayers include that you aren't eaten by a snake, spider, or any other wild animal. A week ago, each RA joyfully decided to write you a letter; and I quote:
"Dear Mr. Greg,
I pray that you don't get bit by a love bug and a spider p.s: I pray that you help people learn about Jesus. I pray you get back before pythons wake up. We miss you in R.S's
Brett and Sam "
"I pray you have a good time in Peru. I pray you don't get bite by a snake or spiders. And you have good food.
Caleb Clark "
"How are you doing Mr. Greg? are you doing ok? I pray you don't get bit by spiders. I'll be praying.
P.S. Have a good time. I pray you minister to lots of people.
Carlis Malpass "
"I hope Mr. Greg doesn't get bit on his trip.
Whitfield "
"Hi Mr Greg,
WHAT's UP
How are you doing? I hope you are doing fine and be safe don't get eaten. ex (picture of a snake eating a person)
Hunter "
We'll keep in touch! This is my first blogging experience, and I will make sure to read your journal and show the pictures to the boys. I've found some new games to play; barrel racing, dog bones, and skunk tag - they're a hit! This past wednesday night we've started working on pinewood derbys. I hope the gear and tools are serving you well. We pray for you and we pray for the ministery in which you take part.
We also pray that God blesses you, keeps you safe, and gives you strength.
P.S. Jim Bullard went Duke for a check-up and recieved good test results - we pray that he will be able to get a kidney soon.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteThe RA's have been praying for you and your mission every Wednesday. (We've been praying other days too!) We have been reading your blog as our mission story, and either using scripture that you include, or finding some scripture to fit in with your story.
Meredith and I have both been doing well, and I find myself having less and less time. Although that is a good thing because I've been spending more time with her.
We have been working on racers, and the race is coming up on March 28th - so you'll be back!! I have picked up a few tips from the serious race fans on how to make our cars faster this time, and you'll love the car designs.
I apologize for not sending you more posts, but by reading about you and God's mission for you I feel like I'm in your loop. Sorry I haven't kept you more in our loop.
Here's what the guys have to say -
"Mr. Greg,
I hope your Mishen trip is the boom! I hope you have a good trip. For the past two weeks we have ben working oh or cars. My is the red wings. Do you have Valentines.
- Brett
P.S. I have a girlfriend don't tell iny body in Peru or you will get a spkin when you get back."
"Dear Mr. Greg,
Howe is it going? Have you been bitten bya a snake? I hope not. For the past 2 weeks we've been doing our cars. Mine will be the "nightwingmobile." It's going to be a smash. On March 3, write a birthday car for me.
See you soon,
- Sam Flowers
P.S. Don't tell my mom I have a girlfriend, her name is Amber Goodyear!"
"Mr Greg,
I hope you are having a good time at your filltrip and I gerget to say happy valinstime day and we missed you so much and don't say that I have a girlfriend and say he has no girlfriends!
- Whitfield"
"Dear Mr. Greg,
How is it going? are you having fun? Well don't get bit by a poisonious snake! Guess what??? I'm going to Brazil in 2 months!! I'll be gone for 3 weeks love ya.
P.S. Happy Valentines Day!
- Austin
P.P.S. Your the man! Can't wait for you to get back."
"Mr. Greg,
I don't know what to write. Cody Joseph Gallagher is my name and I'm new to R.A.'s. I'm almost 10 I have another month till my B'day. We have not been working on cars and I am almost done with my car.
PPS. Signaure, Cody Joseph Gallagher."
Our RA numbers vary every night, but our roster includes Sam, Timothy, Caleb, Brett, Whitfield, Austin, and Cody (recently I haven't seen Walt, Carlis, Hunter or Caleb Clark).
Oh Greg, I guess you missed the Carolina vs. Duke basketball game a few weeks ago. I'd like to go ahead and shoot you the results. It was a very good game (for Carolina fans) 101 to 87. Better luck next time!!
May the blessings of the lord touch you and the people that surround you.
In Jesus,
Walt, Jeff, Donnie and the Wrightsboro RA's
P.S. Mr. George Futch had knee replacement surgery, and while recovering he fell and broke his leg. We're keeping him and others in our prayers.