Items needed

This is a list of needed items for our trip, leaving 19 January, it includes items needed for people we will be ministering to in Zimbabwe, if you are able to help with a couple items it will greatly help us cut down on costs before we go:

*Preschool/Kindergarten educational (and fun) games/toys manipulatives
*Elementary age educational games, school supplements like games, cards, math manipulatives
*Any books, cds, dvds you no longer want - we are looking for some specific things and can use your old books to trade in at McKays to look for what we need
* Nail polish - assorted colors
* Glow sticks
* Balloons
* Baby formula and any new or gently used baby and toddler blankets and large beach towels, cloth diapers
* 3T-4T girls clothing (summer and winter)
* Womens size 18-20 clothing
* Mens Medium shirts/shorts/pants
* Mens button down dress shirts and ties, any size
* New resusable shopping bags (Publix/Target etc any of the $1 kind)
* Any crafting beads/threads, charms, jewelery making type stuff, including tools
* Any used costume jewelery in good condition
* Parachord (parachute rope) we need 800ft of this, plus 100 x 5/8inch contoured side release buckles, preferably diff colors (for boys) 100ft increments (about $80 in cost if ordered online at http://www.paracordmaster.com/ )
* Battery operated fans (larger than hand held, but not as big as large box)
* Batteries AAA, AA, C-cell, D-cell
* Large beach towels
* Nyquill
* Starbucks (or other reg and decaf brand 12-16 oz bags) coffee
* $150 x 7 increments (donations for a ministry project)

We would like to have everything in hand before Christmas, so we can see what we still need.
Many thanks for all who have helped with supplies and our trips in the past, we are always grateful our community and how you guys always come alongside us and help.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to help cover the remainder of our support costs please go online to:  http://www.shepsstaff.org/gray.aspx

If you would like to make a cash donation to help cover the costs of the above supplies, please make a check payable to David and Jackie Gray and mail it to 1715 Mountain Bay Drive, Hixson, TN 37343

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to the Lords call! He truly does provide for His  work, as long as we are obedient to His Calling.  Jackie and I are excited to see what the Lord has in store for Zimbabwe and South Africa, and we are looking forward to encouraging His people by coming alongside them to build them up, be the hands and feet of Jesus and by giving some of them a short break from ministry….below are the details of our trip, including prayer and financial needs….much love in the Lord, David, Jackie, Daniel, Timothy and Abby

Trip details:
We leave early morning 19 January 2012 flying into Harare on the evening of the 20^th

Zimbabwe:

We will be spending 6 weeks in Zimbabwe, and splittin our time between Harare, Chinoyi and Kadoma, our plans and times are slowly coming together, which is exciting to see...

South Africa:
2 March: We will fly out of Harare, Zimbabwe and down to Cape Town, South Africa, then in Cape Town South Africa through May 4, David will be returning early April to start the boating season here in TN.  Pray for our time in South Africa, as we work it out and seek the Lords will for us there.

Jackie is also praying about offering a short bible study for 4 weeks, which she would like to open up to many of her friends she still has there.

Prayer Requests:

To remain flexible with our itinerary as the Lord leads or as physical circumstances dictate.

1. Transportation while in Zimbabwe, and for all  of our host family’s vehicle issues to be resolved long term.
2. Firm plans for our schedule in Zimbabwe
3. Our children to adapt quickly to the Zimbabwean culture and food, and for them to be a blessing to those they meet there and for the Lord to continue to reveal himself to them on a daily basis.
4. That we will be a help and not a hindrance where the Lord leads us.
5. For health for the whole trip, especially in Zimbabwe, and for the kids not to react to malaria meds.
6. For the Lord to reveal His purpose to us with regards to Living Hope
7. For unsaved friends to see the Lord through us
8. Rest of our finances needed.
9. For the Lord to multiply our time and resources there and for wise packing!
10. For us to be sensitive to the Lords leading and not be overwhelmed with the needs we see.
11. For our house situation in the US, for the Lord to make it clear and to provide for our needed bills while gone.
12. Unity for Jackie and myself
13. Abby is having her tonsils and adenoids removed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, pray for the surgeon and quick uncomplicated healing.
14. For Abby to be able to see a real live giraffe (seriously she is very set on this).

Financial Needs:

We are so grateful to the seemingly endless number of people who have contributed financially to get us this far, thank you also to those who have committed on a monthly basis, we still have a ways to go and would ask you to prayerfully consider giving in one of the following areas:

      We  still to cover 6 weeks of living expenses, ministry costs, insurance and a little more for medical and visa costs on this end

   100% of (non taxable) cash or check donations made directly to us will be put towards ministry costs.

               All donations made out to Shepherds Staff are tax deductible

     

If you are considering giving financially, all tax deductible donations received online or by mail by Shepherds Staff, before 31 December will be able to be written off for your 2011 return.  Shepherds Staff will receipt you for all monthly and one time donations. You will also be able to give any time online, while we are gone.

 If you give a cash or check donation directly to us please make the check out to:

David and Jackie Gray and mail it to:
1715 Mountain Bay Drive, Hixson TN 37343 and we will send you a thank you!

All online donations can be made at:  http://www.shepsstaff.org/gray.aspx or made out and mailed to:
Shepherds Staff Mission Facilitators,  P.O. Box 53640 Albuquerque, NM 87153-3640,

Be sure to put David and Jackie Gray #6003 in the memo line

^{HEBREWS 13:20} Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

ISAIAH 61 IS OUR BANNER SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER FOR ZIMBABWE