Help Us Reach our Goal NOW!

Our Cayman work permit is approved, & we need to be in Grand Cayman ASAP before it expires. Only five $25 pledges & ten $150 offerings are needed in order for us to receive final clearance & book our travel! We have been quoted a very inexpensive price, but must take advantage of it immediately or lose it. If the Lord has spoken to you to give, NOW is the time to obey! Please check our link below for the fastest & easiest way to make a contribution.

People like Delia* (who was raped by many village men from age 7 on--& is now helping similar victims through the grace of God) & Samuel* (whose marriage was saved through his deliverance from alcohol, & who is now a member of one of our local churches) are depending on us--& YOU!

PRAISE AND PRAYER:

• Thanks again for all of your prayers on our behalf. Sondra is recovering nicely from her emergency gall bladder surgery, and gaining her strength back. 
• Our son has found a great place to live and is pursuing active leads for a job. Please pray that the Lord will provide the right employment for him, and that he will see God's leading hand in this transition. Our daughter is also going through a transition, and is actively seeking God for her future. Please pray for our family in our separation from one another.
• Pastor Boucher (French-Canadian missionary serving with us on Grand Cayman) gives thanks that his wife is doing much better in her fight against cancer. Please bathe this wonderful couple in continued prayer.
• Please pray for strength and wisdom as we tie up all the last-minute loose ends before our departure for the place of our calling.

 *Names changed

"Following the light of the sun. . ."

Christopher Columbus first sighted the Cayman Islands on his last voyage to the New World in 1503. He named them Las Tortugas because of the many turtles he saw there. His discovery set into motion events that stretch into modern times.

The sides of his caravels carried this inscription, "Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World." We are about to make a similar journey, leaving behind our own Old World, and following the light of the Son. May we set into motion events that stretch into eternity!

On a personal level, we would appreciate your prayers for Sondra, who had  a severe gall bladder attack resulting in emergency gallbladder surgery two days ago.  We are very grateful the attack didn't take place in the plane on the way to Grand Cayman! The Lord's timing is always to be trusted.

Back to Blogger--finally!

     Well, friends, we are back on Blogger after a few weeks of trying find our blog. It seems that when we updated our account with the new Google log-in, our blog disappeared. After a few attempts to re-access the blog, we are finally successful. I guess it's true that you CAN teach old missionaries new tricks.    
     Please check out our new Facebook page: "The Bocchieris > Missionaries to the Cayman Islands." We post updates quite often.
     We are awaiting our departure for Grand Cayman with anticipation. We can almost taste the mangoes, we are so close to leaving! However, due to a number of circumstances beyond our control--such as moving a parent out of state, our son's biopsy (came back negative, PTL), visa application glitches, an auto accident with attendant issues, and, yes, the remaining 2-3% of our budget yet to raise in order to be cleared--we are still in the US.
     We rest in the Lord's timing for our lives, and are learning patience in this long journey. At the same time, we ask you to agree with us in prayer that every attempt of the enemy to block us would be thwarted. Please pray also for clarity and discernment as we make the many last-minute decisions still remaining before flying to this new land of our calling.
      If the Lord speaks to you about partnering with us financially, just click on the blue bar at the bottom of the page to make a contribution. Our desire is to be able to leave in the next few weeks, as the need is crucial.

Isaiah 40:27-31 (The Message)
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.

TWO WEEK DEADLINE

The 1st student for Cayman Teen Challenge has just arrived at the center. We are anxious to join our fellow workers in this ministry, but can't do it without your partnership. We are trusting God for $300 monthly & $2,000 in cash within the next TWO WEEKS in order to leave for Grand Cayman by the end of August. Please consider helping us reach our goal. See blue bar at the bottom of the page for a link to contribute. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!

Of Whom the World is Not Worthy

Happy birthday to the United States of America! I have read so many posts this weekend on how great the USA is. However, one reason I have not seen mentioned is the fact that this country has revolutionized the world in its heart for missions.

The first Protestant missionaries from the United States to another country were sent out in 1812. Among them were Adoniram and Ann Judson, who ended up in Burma. Adoniram died at sea after laboring in Burma for 37 years. He endured the death of three wives and several children, imprisonment for 18 months in the infamous Ava Death Prison, severe illness, and depression. His legacy included a Bible translation into Burmese that is still in use today and a thriving church.

Judson was soon followed by others who took personally the Lord's commandment to "go into all the world and preach the gospel. . . ." Many of their stories echoed his own. Some packed all their belongings in their caskets, expecting to die in their adopted place of ministry.

My own (Sondra's) parents left family and home behind to minister in Southeast Asia--including Burma--for many years, and I grew up overseas. We owed a great debt of gratitude for the perseverance of those before us, who had opened the door for the Gospel through their sweat, tears, blood, and even death. Up to the present thousands of American missionaries have committed themselves wholeheartedly to the task of world evangelism and mentored others globally to share in that task.

As we celebrate Independence Day today, let us remember those amazing American pioneers "of whom this world is not worthy," who sacrificed all that some might know freedom through Jesus Christ.

I Need or I Want?

We've arrived back from a last trip out East to say goodbye to family. Now, on to packing! Moving from a home to a two-bedroom apartment means paring down to essentials. It puts a different spin on the phrase, "I need." Sadly, as Americans we often confuse our "needs" with our "wants." In reality all we really need is ...to seek Christ's kingdom and His righteousness, and he will take care of each and every other need.

Getting Closer

We are winding down our last few weeks before leaving for the Caymans. God has already performed so many miracles (usually when we least expected it), we are in awe. We'd appreciate your continued prayers for the last of our support, a quick processing of our visa, and strength to finish packing. Grand Cayman and our new Cayman family, here we come!

Welcome to the Bocchieri Harvest Report. We are missionaries with Global Teen Challenge, and the purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about our ministry.