Mission Philippines - Here we go!

With just four days to go, our World Mercy Teams group of six is nearly ready to embark on the latest medical mission.
It's amazing that I'm now preparing for my third mission with this team. In 2007, I would never have thought I would be part of a missions team and yet, here I am. What's amazing is how God has taken seemingly random components of my life - Army Medic, Phlebotomist, Writer, Photographer and videographer and choreographed them into a unique way for me to serve Him. It never ceases to amaze me.

Last week we packed the medical supplies we will take on the plane. This includes antibiotics, specialized medications, medical equipment and clothes/toys/toothbrushes for the children. For anyone that has never been on a mission like this, we each carry two bags and a carry on. One bag is packed to its near limit of 50 pounds and within specific dimensions based on the airline. The other bag is packed with personal clothes/hygiene and other items. My bag will have about 25 pounds of these items and another 25 for supplies. Additionally, my carry-on will have photo and video equipment, notebooks, my computer and stuff for the plane such as a good face mash, headphones with airline adaptor and plenty of Clif Bars.

We will leave Thursday morning and arrive in Cebu in the Philippines 24-hours later. From there, we will spend two days buying additional medications and preparing our pharmacy bags before we ferry to Maasin City on the Island of Leyte. That will be our base as we ferry back and forth to Limosawa Island for medical clinics.
The medical mission officially ends May 23 and I will continue to Tacloban in the center of Leyte Island where I will connect with Jim and Aylene Latzko, Corban University alumni who have established a Baptist missionary group on Leyte. I will serve them as a writer, photographer and videographer for their website and to help them spread the word about their mission. I'm very excited to meet them and to serve in this capacity.
Our team includes Don and Elena Ives.

Carol Pemberton

Mary Muhlhauser

Amber Hoover

and me, Sheldon Traver












I've gotta get to church, but I wanted to let everyone know this blog is active and your prayers are greatly appreciated. This blog is completely interactive, so please leave your comments. We love reading them each morning and it is an encouragement and blessing to each of us.
God bless and thank you for your love and prayers,
Sheldon