Archive for November, 2010
Homebound Missions has been privileged to sponsor our first official missionaries to Oaxaca [wah-HAH-kah], Mexico. Our missionary team consists of Ana (12), Emmalee (12), and Rebecca (14) Devries. These three sisters are on a mission to work at an orphanage to minister to the children by giving hands on care as well as providing much needed supplies for the children’s comfort.
They will be moving to Oaxaca, Mexico in January along with their mom Wendy, Dad Bruce, and brother Daniel. Bruce is a pilot for MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). Formerly they served in Venezuela.
To get them started on their mission, Homebound Missions has given them their first supply of frocks. After they have had a chance to evaluate the need they will inform us of other items they could use and we will begin sourcing them. Tyler is also creating a blog for the girls so they can document the work they are doing and share some of the day to day stuff with the rest of us. We will highlight their blog as soon as they get it going.
We wish the girls great success as they work for the children in Oaxaca, Mexico.
To learn more about The Bruce Devries Family check out their March Newsletter, The DeVries Flyer.
Tyler and I have been listening to the audio version of Ministries of Mercy The Call to the Jericho Road By Timothy J Keller. We recommend it to anyone interested in serving others.
We have also recently listened to When Helping Hurts How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself By Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Neither book is a quick read, as they are both just filled with challenges, ideas, concepts and views that may make you question deeply held ideas. This is why I enjoy the audio version as it gives me the opportunity to listen over and over again, and take notes when I wish to do so. Both books are available in hardcopy.
Boston.com put up some pictures of Haiti 10 months later. They are very sad and show that the suffering never ends for the Haitian people. Click the link below to view the pictures.
This was sent to me by Madhava & Nirmala, Directors of Mercy & Grace Orphanage in Andhra Pradesh, India. Please pray with us, this Sunday for the orphans around the world?
DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE ORPHANS OF THE WORLD
The United Nations reports that the number of orphans around the world is more than 140 million. This global crisis is present even in the United States where over 120,000 children now wait to be adopted from the foster care system. God commands every Christian to act and to care for the orphans and we would like you to join us on ORPHAN SUNDAY …November 7th to stand for orphans, to defend the fatherless and care for the least of these
- More than 46 million orphans in Africa.
- More than 71 million orphans in Asia.
- More than 10 million orphans in Latin America.
- More than 120,000 orphans in the United States.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
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The Details
Tyler asked me to blog about some decisions we have made recently regarding our healthcare. He and I both believe that we are not alone. We hope and pray that by sharing this, we will encourage others who may be experiencing the same dilemma.
About 2 years ago, Tyler and I started struggling to pay our healthcare premiums. In an effort to relieve the monthly squeeze for about $1200. we settled for a less expensive plan that cost $850 a month. We were aware that we were taking on a deductible, but were unaware that we had also taken on a 20/80. That meant every time we went to the doctor we were paying 20% out of our pocket over and above the deductible.
Tyler and I both had some issues this year and needed to see our doctors. Within just a few months we found ourselves in debt; medical debt.
Tyler has always provided health insurance for our family and he was feeling an extreme burden. If we kept our health insurance we simply couldn’t even think about going to the doctor. So then, why would we pay $850. a month? Oh yes, then they raised the premium to $950. It was just impossible for us to even consider. We had been priced out of healthcare.
Everyone was quick to let us know that we could get MassHealth for hardly nothing, but we aren’t the let government do it types and so we searched for a Christian solution. I knew of 2 Christian medical sharing groups and searched online and found a third. We researched each one very carefully. We were surprised to learn that each one had its differences that made them unique. After much searching and prayer we felt an overwhelming peace from the Lord and went with Samaritan Ministries.
With the money we have saved we have put together a medical savings account. If I need to see my doctor I can write a check and pay for the service. I have learned not to have any procedure done without first finding out how much it costs. A simple thyroid blood test recently cost over $500.00, thankfully I had the money to pay and when I called the Lab they offered me a 20% discount if I paid that day. We also increased our medical coverage on our vehicles since it was super inexpensive to do so.
It is definitely a responsibility, but we have always considered healthcare to be just that. What we pay for our Sharing amount is so little that it allows us to continue to add to our savings account, but if anything catastrophic should happen we will not be alone financially.
Another really great thing about Samaritan Ministries is the prayer investment. Each month you are sent a prayer request list. You are also made aware of others who may need financial help that doesn’t qualify for sharing. If you would like you are able to send a note and check.
Tyler and I have peace in our hearts for the first time concerning healthcare. If you are struggling with healthcare costs and just don’t know where to turn we highly recommend you consider a Christian medical sharing ministry.
His Faithfulness
Over the last two years God has shown Himself to be so faithful. For many years I have had a doctor in whom I trusted and depended on. When we made that first decision to lower our premium by choosing a lower cost plan I was no longer able to have my doctor. This was a tremendous step in faith for me, but I felt the Lord encouraging me to trust him.
On the new plan I had to choose a doctor from a very small list and after calling everyone on the list, literally I was calling the very last doctor on the list, I finally found one who was taking patients. My new doctor turned out to be a great doctor and if God didn’t do enough, at one of my appointments the subject of home birth came up and it was if we had known each other for ever on this common ground. For months I was just so thankful for this great gift.
When it came time to make the big decision of letting our healthcare coverage go completely it was really an easy step for us. Tyler and I, were very conflicted about spending thousands of dollars for, ” in case healthcare” when so many around the world don’t even have a doctor to see. It just fell out of where our hearts are. The Christian medical sharing just radiates the Christian sharing in the Bible. The prayers for each other and the ministry just make it more in line with our hearts. It’s something we are proud to invest in. Yes, we feel we are investing in our brothers and sisters in Christ.
God has been so good and has provided beyond our greatest expectations. If you are struggling we encourage you to ask Him for direction.
I have e-mailed Matthew today to tell him to warn our families of the impending hurricane. I asked him to find a place for his family because they are presently in a tent and also asked him to tell Obenson to get into the apartment they have rented. I just did not want them to be unaware of what is coming.
Port-au-Prince should be relatively safe from mudslides, but the wind and rain could be a big problem. Please keep our families in your prayers.
Yesterday, Tyler and I had the opportunity to present Homebound Missions to Calvary Assemblies in S Windsor CT.
We had a big agenda, to talk about the situation in Burma with the Karen and Karenni and then to update them on the Heartline Birthcenter, talk about the Cholera outbreak and what Homebound Missions is doing in Haiti. We were blessed to have a young Karen gentleman named Ktaw, who also spoke with us from a much more personal position about the atrocities in Burma and what it means for the Christian Karen and Karenni. Ktaw is from Hartford, CT and we have been blessed to know him through family members.
After church we all met in the fireside room for a delicious lasagna dinner prepared by the Pastors wife Lois. The afternoon was filled with fellowship and sharing. What a great day. Before leaving, Calvary presented Tyler and I with a check for Homebound Missions. Thank you very much Calvary Assemblies; thank you Pastor Ken and Lois.