Easter Season 2011
PRAYER, Constant Prayer, Life in Missions is wonderful, but it is also very challenging.
Bible Studies like Jeff Cavins http://www.ascensionpress.com/shop/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=503
Catechisms
Catholic Bibles
Prayer Books
Children's Prayer Books
Money specifically for tools and repairs,( part of our ministry is that I am able to fix and repair stuff, like today I fixed a couple of plumbing pipes and saved the Sisters a call to a plumber and his charges....)
We are considering starting a young persons club where young men can be taught things basic skills of carpentry, and general handyman stuff to how to be a good husband and father. The young women could be taught about family life, cooking, parenting, raising children, and running an efficient household. We are looking for someone who would want to specifically sponsor this idea each month.
Mark and Lora Eckstine C/O: Marian HomePO Box 209Castries, St. LuciaWest Indies, 00124
Easter Season 2011
PRAYER, Constant Prayer, Life in Missions is wonderful, but it is also very challenging.
Bible Studies like Jeff Cavins http://www.ascensionpress.com/shop/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=503
Catechisms
Catholic Bibles
Prayer Books
Children's Prayer Books
Money specifically for tools and repairs,( part of our ministry is that I am able to fix and repair stuff, like today I fixed a couple of plumbing pipes and saved the Sisters a call to a plumber and his charges....)
We are considering starting a young persons club where young men can be taught things basic skills of carpentry, and general handyman stuff to how to be a good husband and father. The young women could be taught about family life, cooking, parenting, raising children, and running an efficient household. We are looking for someone who would want to specifically sponsor this idea each month.
Mark and Lora Eckstine
PRAYER, Constant Prayer, Life in Missions is wonderful, but it is also very challenging.
Bible Studies like Jeff Cavins http://www.ascensionpress.com/shop/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=503
Catechisms
Catholic Bibles
Prayer Books
Children's Prayer Books
Money specifically for tools and repairs,( part of our ministry is that I am able to fix and repair stuff, like today I fixed a couple of plumbing pipes and saved the Sisters a call to a plumber and his charges....)
We are considering starting a young persons club where young men can be taught things basic skills of carpentry, and general handyman stuff to how to be a good husband and father. The young women could be taught about family life, cooking, parenting, raising children, and running an efficient household. We are looking for someone who would want to specifically sponsor this idea each month.
Mark and Lora Eckstine
C/O: Marian Home
PO Box 209
Castries, St. Lucia
West Indies, 00124
January 2011 ~ Update from St. Lucia!
So I was commenting on facebook, but now is see it as complaining....Sorry
This is an amazing mission post, yet despite the fact in life we can let little things give us a bad attitude. I was complaining that I can’t have my coffee, my way, because of the cost of a coffee pot.(Though not long after I found one for half the price of the first one) My friends humbled me by their simple solutions that I could not see because I did not ask God, seek His will, but wanted the solution my way. I am just like the Isrealites, who though the Lord just performed the most Awesome miracles, forget and wanted meat, bread, and water, acting like the Lord did not know just what they needed or wanted, and even when they would need it. They and I find myself also acting like the Lord is looking for some way to let us down. I know we are so blessed to be in Missions and of all places sent to here.
I have found in the short time of missionary training that it pushes me to the limits. I am selfish, self centered, stingy. Many of my life choices have not caused me to face these realities, but this one does and I am thankful for it.
This is an amazing mission post, yet despite the fact in life we can let little things give us a bad attitude. I was complaining that I can’t have my coffee, my way, because of the cost of a coffee pot.(Though not long after I found one for half the price of the first one) My friends humbled me by their simple solutions that I could not see because I did not ask God, seek His will, but wanted the solution my way. I am just like the Isrealites, who though the Lord just performed the most Awesome miracles, forget and wanted meat, bread, and water, acting like the Lord did not know just what they needed or wanted, and even when they would need it. They and I find myself also acting like the Lord is looking for some way to let us down. I know we are so blessed to be in Missions and of all places sent to here.
I have found in the short time of missionary training that it pushes me to the limits. I am selfish, self centered, stingy. Many of my life choices have not caused me to face these realities, but this one does and I am thankful for it.
After a comment about the price of coffee pot some have asked if possibly send us something. We found out that the best way to send something is Priority Mail directly to the Marion Home Post Office Box. Letters can be sent AirMail.
Our Address is:
Mark and Lora Eckstine
Mark and Lora Eckstine
C/O: Marian Home
PO Box 209
Castries, St. Lucia
West Indies, 00124
We have been blessed with so much here. There is so much that has been provided for, we even found an unused Kitchen Aid Mixer in the storage room the other day. Sister Annie said we could use it, what a blessing!
This list is a result of peoples expressed desire to help our mission work in some way practical and is mostly composed of things that would be nice but not necessary.
NOT REALLY NEEDS, BUT THEY WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL
FOR THE MARIAN HOME COMPOUND:
(which consists of a chapel, an old building which was a Secondary School, a large outdoor basketball court, a Daycare center, and Preschool, and our dwelling which is the bottom floor of the Carmelite Sister's convent. As you can see a lot happens here)
TOOLS (they are non-existent, warn out or very primitive and they can be 110 volts, transformers are everywhere here. If you choose to send a tool it can be used)
FOR US SPECIFICALLY:
FOR THE MARIAN HOME COMPOUND:
(which consists of a chapel, an old building which was a Secondary School, a large outdoor basketball court, a Daycare center, and Preschool, and our dwelling which is the bottom floor of the Carmelite Sister's convent. As you can see a lot happens here)
TOOLS (they are non-existent, warn out or very primitive and they can be 110 volts, transformers are everywhere here. If you choose to send a tool it can be used)
- Wheel Barrow, wow is it warn out even with the repairs (funds arrived, hope to get one this week)
- A vibrator sander (a Dewalt is around $550 EC)
- Wheels for the Dolly (some call them carts)
- I will add to this list as I see things
- Catholic Books to leave here as a library (people are sending us books!)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Catholic Bibles
- Old Catholic Magazines
FOR US SPECIFICALLY:
- The most pressing need is a printer, we would love a used one. We are going to try to print up our thank you notes, the children's home school lessons, songs, possibly our newsletter, and many other things. If you want to send this, send us an email please so we can see how easy ink cartridges are to get) We had the funds and purchased one, and it was the floor model so we got a discount! It is working well!
- A used AT&T or T-Mobile phone (must have SIM card capability so we can buy a local SIM card), if you would be willing get it unlocked. They will not work with the local pay as you go sim cards and we will then have a local number. I had hoped to leave the world of cell phones for a while, but so many of our ministry contacts have them, even Sister Annie. (I picked up a local pay as you go phone)
- If you think something you think we might be able to use, contact us via email: eckstinemandl@msn.com
- A coffee maker, coffee grinder (These are definitely wants) (a coffee maker is on its way!)
- Computer Speakers
DONATING FUNDS FOR A SPECIFIC NEED? Write on your donations slip or check or if you donate through PayPal type it into the special instructions line.
January 2011 ~
The Lord confirmed out going to St. Lucia and thanks to our generous benefactors, we have our plane tickets and leave the good ol' US on the 19th. Flying from New Orleans to Miami, then to St. Lucia. We have been reading up on St. Lucia and are not sure what are going to be our needs. Mostly consistent prayer and financial support. We have ran into people who have lived in St. Lucia. They said there are plenty of poor to serve, also in a newspaper article by Bishop Rivas he talked about the moral deterioration. We realize there will be many unforeseen challenges. Please keep the unknowns we will face in your prayers for us. It is comforting that people realize there is a need for the preaching of the Good News of Jesus Christ and are willing to support us.
December ~
Things seem to really be coming together for going to St. Lucia, in the Caribbean.
So your prayers can be more specific....For the Bishop, For the Priest, For the parishes we will serve at, For the people to have open hearts, For us to be generous, For us to find adequate and cheap housing, For us to quickly make friends and find the ministries the Lord wants us to do, For us to find favor with the People, For Unity on our Team, For Generous Benefactors, For monthly benefactors of any amount, For Safety.....
The things we need and want are: A hard case for my guitar, a 220 volt to 110 volt adapter for our laptop, another used laptop. This Christmas we were blessed with 2 new laptops from Lora's parents, and we were able to get a nice hardcase for my guitar so it can travel in safety.
October ~
Prayers, Prayers, Prayers. We are seriously praying to know where the Lord will send us for this first year in Missions. Also we preparing a list for those who want to keep up to date with what we are doing. They will receive our newsletters and Serve (the newsletter of Family Missions Company), and also we will be inviting people to support us financially. It is hard for us to ask others for their money and we are not comfortable in doing this but....that is how we will survive in Missions. So please pray and consider what role the Lord has for you in our Mission work. The Church teaches that those who support the work of Missions will receive the same reward as those actually out there in Missions. If you want to be on our list please email us your name and address.
Also many of our fellow Missionaries have blogs and as our lives are so interwoven many times there are pictures of us and the kids on their blogs as well.
Blessings
September ~
Praise the Lord and thank you to our generous donors. Due to your prayers and support for us we have all the Intake fees payed for, $5300. This will take care of the next three months training and the mission trip expense.
Join with us in prayer now as we pray that the Lord will prepare each one of our hearts to do His will in the country He will send us and pray that the hearts of the people God wants to minister too will be prepared to know Him, love Him and Serve Him.
So at first on our main page we have had this list of our Prayers, Needs, and Wants, now we are going to have a page dedicated(Supporting us in Missions) and how our prayers for the things we need and want have been answered! Part of learning how to do a blog. Now we plan to put a Date when we have new needs or as we update the list.
May 29th
This is a picture (that Gabriella took) looking west at the Big Woods, which where our mission formation will take place. It is south of Abbeville, Louisiana and called the Big Woods. We are feeling confirmed in our calling and excited to fully embrace the missionary life. We found the Big Woods full of life, both spiritually(lots of prayer, praise, preparation, and love) and physically(lots of other families and singles). We are praying about the timing to return. It is so nice to have a clearer vision of what we are doing and what are our needs and wants. One thing we learned while we were there is that we have a lot to learn about being missionaries.
Financial Support, unfortunately money always comes up so here are our needs:
First our training will cost $5300.00 which is for approximately 3 months of training, including 3 weeks at the mission base in Mexico.
Second we want to continue to build up a group that will support our monthly needs once we are in the Mission field, approximately $1500 a month for a family our size. Of course that will depend where we are called too. It seems like a lot to us, but already there are friends and family who are starting to support us. All the monies we have received so far have gone toward our training. Basically we will need around 150 people that would give $10 monthly.
There will be other practical needs that we will share later.
One last thing: Down at the Big Woods, they have an idea of making a sort of small camping area with an outdoor bath/kitchen/laundry room. Frank and Gennie Summers have been praying for more families to be called into the mission field and it looks like the Lord is starting to answer that. If anyone would like to make a large contribution that would help many potential missionaries both in the immediate and for many years to come, contact me for more information.
Before May 28th
Below is the original way we were doing it with the answered prayers in BLUE, I think this is going to be cool!
Prayers, Needs, and Wants
Before May 28th
Below is the original way we were doing it with the answered prayers in BLUE, I think this is going to be cool!
