Nine days. Nine. In nine days, we will be in Mexico. This is beyond exciting! We are almost fully funded (thank you, everyone who gave), and we are in the final stages of planning our time there. We all know that our time in Oaxaca and the outlying village(s) we will visit is God's time, and that we may not be doing anything we originally planned to do. That is completely OK with all of us, and we are excited to see where God takes us and to whom He takes us. The relationships we build in the name of Jesus are so much more important than any health screening or education we offer. Those are important, too, but we are praying that we are able to touch people in His name above all else.

     The last few days are busy ones for us: we are assembling cycle beads (a visual tool for natural family planning), collecting supplies, packing, putting together educational pieces, and translating into Spanish. Individually, we are tracking down tiny sleeping bags, finding the correct clothing so we don't offend anyone, and making arrangements with our families and employers. Most importantly, we are trying to make sure to spend quiet time with the Lord during this busy season. As Turner, our leader, read in a devotional recently: Prepare your heart before you pack your bag.

We can certainly use your help now and while we are gone. Here are some ways you can help:


1.  PRAY. This is an ongoing need with any mission trip, and ours is certainly no different. Westover has a team in Zimbabwe and another leaving for China this weekend. We all need prayer for our travel to go smoothly and that God's plan will be evident and we will be able to accomplish what HE has planned for us.

2. We are still in need of a few things. We need large bottles of prenatal vitamins, children's multi-vitamins, and small tubes of toothpaste. Additionally, we will need two thermometers, preferably electronic/battery operated. Please contact one of the team members or call Mary at 420-8404 if you are able to help, and we will make sure your items are picked up. We need to pack all these items by next Wednesday, July 23, so let us know soon if you can help.

3. Join us at PTI airport on Saturday, July 26 from 5:00 to 5:15 AM for send-off prayer. We would love to pray with you before we go! As it stands now, we will arrive home on Saturday, August 2 at around 7:15 PM.

Thank you for your support and your love. This is a very exciting time - it is the first mission trip for most of us! While we don't know what we expect, we know that God goes before us. What more do we need?