August 2011 Update

Welcome to the second update on the current progress of my missions trip with Mercy Ships.

I would like to start this news letter with a thank you to all the people who have helped to make this possible and those of you who have offered to support me during this mission.

Well it’s the start of August and that means in just under 6 weeks I’ll be leaving the UK, I have to admit it’s a bit scary to think of this but I trust in God to provide throughout all that I do.

To bring you up to date with what’s been happening; I received my final paperwork for going to Sierra Leone (visa forms and agreements) and I also booked the one way flight. For those who want to know I’ll be leaving Newcastle on 12^th September at about 6:30am and arriving in Sierra Leone at 5:50pm on the same day.

If you want to know more about the work of Mercy Ships then please visit www.mercyships.org

Ongoing Stuff to sort..

Ok I’m not much good coming up with titles for these things, but it seemed to fit.

Over the last weekend in July I have had a look at the finances involved with this mission’s trip and found that I will be short for this trip of approximately £1575, this is broken down into;

The African continent has an issue with malaria as a general rule so I must take anti-malarial drugs with me but the cost of these drugs is very high for the period of time that I will need to be taking them for.

I have been given a choice of 2 of these anti malaria drugs to take when I’m away with Mercy Ships; Malarone £50 per fortnight and Doxycycline £27 per fortnight (£351 for 6 months) as you can see there is a cost difference, also with Malarone I would have to take the entire supply for 6 months with me which would cost approx £650 as this cannot be refilled on the ship.

I have yet to think about purchasing the flight back as I have been advised it is best to leave that until I’m due to return as there may be a change in circumstances which force the Africa Mercy to leave the host country. The cost of the return flight to the UK is approximately £744.

The rest of the money is needed for crew support, which is the fees I have to pay for food and accommodation. I know that God will provide and I have no need to worry.

I only want to seek and follow after God, but it does come with a cost and I have to say there is nothing in this world that can compare or is even close to being worth it all.

 The one thing I have learnt over all this is that when you truly want to follow God, be prepared. As he may just send you away from what you know to grow you. ”For to this [end] we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is [the] Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” _1Ti 4:10.

If you want to know more please contact me on Darrengoodson@thehousenewcastle.org

Prayer Points

Points of prayer for this upcoming trip;

·         Pray for a time of rest for the next few weeks.

·         Pray for God to provide wisdom and the finances for this mission’s trip.

·         Pray for the crew and staff of the Africa Mercy.

·         Pray for the people of Sierra Leone.