Missions News From Thailand and the Sea

By Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator

The Lord has blessed LBF with some very special men and women who are serving Him in cross-cultural places, having a huge impact. He has used their work in reaching out to many people and bringing much-needed help and hope. I want to share some of their exciting news with you.

Pete & Mary

Pete and Mary have been serving in Asia for over 30 years, living in Nepal, Laos, and Thailand. Pete is a veterinarian and the Lord has used him greatly in helping teach nationals how to care for their farm animals. Farm animals are so vital for many people to be able to run their farms, raise their crops, and provide for their families. If their animal is sick, that could be a critical problem for them in survival.

A number of years ago Pete wrote a book called, Where There is No Animal Doctor. The book, a manual that deals with many animal health-related topics, has already been translated into four languages and there are currently four additional languages that are in the middle of translation. This is so encouraging and shows just how crucial the information in the book is. And it is also exciting when we realize that it’s one of our own missionaries who is bringing this life-saving information to other cultures.

Pete and Mary currently live in northern Thailand (Chiang Rai). Pete does animal health clinics with pastors who are also farmers. He continues to teach and serve. Mary serves with the International
Christian School. Together this couple touches thousands of lives.

Contact them: pmqberry@gmail.com, maryqberry@gmail.com

Tom & Terry Velnosky

Tom and Terry have served with Mercy Ships for almost 28 years. Mercy Ships is a ministry that brings a hospital ship, complete with doctors, dentists, nurses, technicians, operating rooms, etc., to the poor nations along the west coast of Africa with healthcare. 

Tom and Terry live in Texas, where the headquarters for Mercy Ships is located. Tom’s role is to procure all the medical equipment, medicines, and many of the supplies for the hospital ship, Africa Mercy. In that role, he also must be aware of how the equipment operates and what it would take to get it repaired (even in Africa) in the event of a malfunction. His position is instrumental to the smooth running of the hospital and the thousands of lives that are helped through the medical care received. This is so encouraging as I think of one of our missionaries in such a strategic position.

There are currently plans underway for Mercy Ships to build a second ship, which will be the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. Tom is involved in the planning and designing of the hospital
portion of the ship. This is really exciting that he is able to be such an integral part of the design. It is also a huge responsibility as well as a great honor for him.

Contact him: Tom.velnosky@mercyships.org 

Please be praying for these couples and their families. You can see that the Lord is using their talents to bless many. Their ministries have far-reaching effects that touch thousands of lives with the love of Christ. It means a great deal to have you support them through prayer. And be encouraged – you are blessing lives around the world!