Vision beyond borders

A little over two months ago we started our first Flannel Graph cutting project for Vision Beyond Borders. Here is the blog entry we did on Day 1 of this project.

"As a family we have been wanting to do more service projects and have also been looking for a way to help out missions organizations. Through a friend we got connected with an organization calledVision Beyond Borders. One project in particular really stuck out to us, Flannel Graphs. Follow this link to learn more about it: Flannel Graphs. For those of you who do not know, flannel graphs are flannel backgrounds with figures and other shapes made out of flannel cut out. You then use the people and the backgrounds to tell a bible story. We have volunteered to cut out our first set and mail it back to them. This set will then be sent to a missionary somewhere in the world for them to use in their ministry. This graph set is given to them free of charge. We are partnering with them by giving our time to cut out flannel graph sets. I hope to post regular entries so you can follow our progress. If you are interested in helping, there are three main ways you can help.

1. You can pray. These flannel graphs can be a powerful tool to spread the stories of the bible to people around the world. It is true that a picture is worth a 1000 words and visuals definitely help tell the stories of the bible.
2. You can volunteer and help cut out flannel graph sets. To get started go tohttp://www.visionbeyondborders.org and click on the Contact Us link and they will get back to you.
3. You can donate to cover the cost of the materials for the flannel graphs. To do this you can go tohttp://www.visionbeyondborders.org and click on the Contact Us link and they will let you know how to donate.
Thank you for reading this and check back for regular updates!
Joyfully Serving Christ, The Bush Family"

Well this week we completed cutting out an entire flannel graph set.  It took countless hours but was really neat to do.  Today I emailed the organization to get the address to mail back the completed set too and received a neat response.  Below is small segment from this email.


We were, just this month, able to deliver 10 duffel bags of those cut-out flannels to our contact.  It is through your efforts that we’re able to distribute them.  Thank you!

It was neat to hear that these flannel graphs are making a difference to missionaries and organizations on the ground.  As we get ready to send this back the Vision Beyond Borders it is our prayer that this Flannel Graph set helps bring to life the stories of the bible and helps missionaries make a difference for Jesus.

Serving Christ,

The Bush Family

Lightsys

Over the past 9 months I have been getting to know Greg and Dorinda Beeley.  Greg Beeley, along with Tim Young are co-founders of Lightsys. Lightsys is a Technolgy Missions organization that provides all sorts of technology consulting services for missionary organizations for no cost.  Greg and Dorinda (Greg's wife) also connect also like to help those seeking ways to serve the Lord in technology missions get connected.  I contacted Lightsys with hopes to get connected. Greg and Dorinda conversed with me (via Skype, email and phone calls) and got to know me and my heart towards missions and came along side of Heather and I through prayer.

One thing Lightsys does is the have something called LAN. The Lightsys Assiciates Network is a way for technology professionals to apply to be a member of LAN.  I filled out an application, including references, which Greg and Dorinda reviewed. In August I learned I had been approved as a LAN member. This will provide opportunities for short term trips.  I have learned of two in November and Next March that I hope to go on.  I am thankful for people like Greg and Dorinda who not only follow the Lord's calling in Missions and help those like me get connected.

To read more about Lightsys visit their website at http://lightsys.org.