The end of anything is often the beginning of somethingelse, and thus we have Mission One.  My life has always been interesting as I have never dwelt long in any one chapter.  It seems new things are always on the horizon.  Be it working with boy scouts, being president of the local Jaycee chapter, or just active in church service work, the rewards always surpassed the work.  I have never, however undertaken to change the world from the otherside.  Yes, Mission One opened up, not just a new chapter but a new book.

       As I prepared for my new venture back to Asia, I mentioned to my church what I was undertaking to do.  Immediately, my pastor wanted a synopsis of the trip and he might have been the first one to call it a mission trip.  I remember the day I reported to our congregation the specifics of the plans which Pastor Len had prepared for the trip.  It seemed everyone there knew more than I what was at hand.  After the report, that I gave, several people offered financial support for the trip.  Two parties came to me with a donation, that I felt was too much.  They insisted I take it as I would surely find use for it somewhere over there.  They each gave me $1000.00.  Tears came to my eyes that day as I realized, only then, that something bigger than I was at work here.  God had touched their heart and allowed them to be the first step in this work, which was way beyond our immagination.  I remember the exact moment the first check was handed to me.  I was speachless for a moment, then tried to return it, only to find another person was duplicating that gift.  God was sincere as was his charge. Here we go……

      Pastor Len put together a whirlwind trip to the Philippines and then on to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.  He had wanted to go to Vietnam for sometime and this was his time to go.  He did not know that I had served there 40 years prior.  Having been in the infantry, a radio operator who served some of my time with Vietnamese, I was quite taken by this part of the trip.  I was in disbelief  actually as we crossed the border that day……Maybe I still am…..

         I will shorten this story for now, just so I can get it posted for you to read, but I will offer a unabridged recount at a later date.  We first went to the Philippines on this my first trip.  We actually helped lay cement block in the newest expansion of the children’s home there. It was hot, but the work was very satisfying, as the new building grew quickly.  It is amazing how fast things go when our Father is quiding the work. After two weeks of 90 plus degree weather, the best time of the year; Pastor Len, Roger Hartman, who is from Arizona and Colorado, and I left for Camodia.  Via Thailand we traveled that week seeing Pastor Len’s friend and pastor Ron Guglay (sp) in Thialand. He was so gracious as to show us on a trip north into  Thailand. With monkeys, elephants, and alligators to remember, we moved onto Cambodia.

       Cambodia consisted of a pastor’s meeting and mini convention.  At that meeting Pastor Len spoke and Roger and I were able to offer our support individually to many of the Pastors in Cambodia.  Any pastors reading this should note, that leading a flock in America has no comparison to carrying God’s word forward in Cambodia and most of Asia.  We were told the morning of the meeting, that several of the pastors were expected to resign that morning.  The test they were suffering was too great.  Somehow I felt the Lord used that trip for Pastor Len, Roger, and I to give those men hope and assurance………………That morning not one Pastor chose to quit working for the Lord.  They just needed visual proof of His love, and God allowed us to be that. This was only one of my warm moments of purpose beyond my expectations.  We can not quit. You can not quit. If you are reading this it is not because you want to see what Gary Stites is doing, but what God is doing. He is working and showing His love. We are on the winning team folks. That should be enough, but I know it often is not.  Believe me no one living in America has the challenges of people in Asia. They strengthen me, although I am so humbled, because they say I strengthen them.  They know I come from a healthy, wealthy place to show the Lord’s love to them.  As a pet may want attention and love, they want just that.  I hope as this mission progresses many people will not just support me, but will become a part of this assignment.  Yes, I believe the Lord wants me to work for Him in Asia.  And maybe He wants you to also.  Do not be surprised.  Remember, I was not looking for a job when this came along.  But what an employer.  Push the contact button on this web site and get started. May you be blessed as I have.

       Leaving Cambodia and entering Vietnam was very ……….. there is no word which comes to mind. That’s right, reentering Vietnam after 40 years….left at 21 and reentered at 61…..Carried a M-16 last time and carried John 3-16 this time  (Dave Roever would say).  Why 40 years?  Folks, I pray I will never forget everything which I experienced in the war, nor I will forget my feelings on this trip, but the Lord gave me a purpose.  Do you know yours?  I did not even know I needed one, until I had it. But now I do.

       We found out on this trip, that Vietnam was not open at that time to evangelizing.  This is an understatement.  We heard the story of a man locked up for several months already for trying to spread the word of Christ on the street.  Today two years later things are changing a little there, however we found that no mission was to be built there for awhile.  You see Pastor Len wanted to start a new mission, but we found out Vietnam was not the place so Cambodia would be his next choice.  I of course was given to my heart of wanting to help the Vietnamese I had fought with during the war.  Many as I discovered had escaped to Cambodia.  I have explored their new home for the last 30 plus years in Cambodia, and that is the site I have been led to start the new mission.

        I hope someday that Vietnam can experience the love we really have for it’s people. I pray they will not feel threatened by us as Christians, but can grow to understand and enjoy God’s love for them through us.  All people just want to be safe and secure and have food, and medical care when needed.  Some of us require so much more.  But we are spoiled.  Join me in Asia, and I will solve that problem, my American brothers.  Share what God has given you.  After all it was His intent.

         Please continue to read about this first mission and later trips upcoming as I will update this page soon.

Thank you for your interest. 

Gary Stites…..on a mission….His Mission