Book Review

God’s Stories --More Than Twenty Years on the Mission Field

By Sharyn  Branson

Missionary as defined by Paul and Sharyn Branson: a person engaged in sharing the love of God and the Word of God with others so that they can take a step closer to God. 

Sharyn has written a book that chronicles the story of her life with her husband, Paul,  in foreign missions since 1995.  The book begins with their account of preparing for their life as missionaries and the journey to finding their calling to the Dominican Republic.  The early chapters give the reader insight into the how they prepared for their lives as missionaries and how they were led to the DR.  The stories are heart warming and show their trust in God and the power of prayer in their lives.

I have had the privilege of acting as volunteer in their House Upon the Rock Mission.  My lasting impression is one of how integral prayer is to their lives.  One day we were at a building site and a decision had to be made by Paul and our group leader.  Both men stopped what they were doing and sought direction through prayer.  I had never seen that done in my work place and it was a reminder to me that, when in doubt, ask for God’s direction.  
As you read each chapter of this book you will get a picture of life in a different culture, a life that can be harsh at times but also filled with moments of joy and much blessing.  It is a great summer read as you can read a couple of chapters, put the book down, and then pick up again without loosing the story line as it reads more like a diary.  The book is available in our Library.

Now for the best part!  Sharyn and Paul will be preaching at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on July 29, 2018 at 10 am.   What a perfect opportunity to meet an author, hear first hand about life in the Dominican Republic, and share God’s blessings with these real life missionaries. 

One of the great things about living in another culture is the food.  So I would like to share a recipe From Nena’s Kitchen a recipe book from the cook for the mission teams that visit the DR.

Moro Guandules

Ingredients

• 2 cups of rice
• 4 cups of water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1can of Guandules (pigeon peas) you can substitute and kind of beans or lentils
• 1 tsp garlic paste and 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp Goya Adobo
• 2 tbsp Soya sauce
• onions, peppers, celery, cilantro, pepper, salt and oregano to taste

Preparation:

Heat the oil in the pot, add all the ingredients except the water and rice.  Fry for several minutes and then add water.  Wait to boil, then add the rice.  Then move it a bit and wait until dry. Lower the heat and cover for 25 minutes

Post by Linda Cliff.

Mission in the Dominican Republic

Medical clinic in Pedregal, Dominican Republic

Two years ago, our congregation sent a team of four to do mission work in the Dominican Republic.  It was the first event of this sort sponsored by SPPC and we were all very excited about it.  The four people who went, described the trip as life-changing.  They were under the auspices of the House Upon the Rock, run by Paul and Sharyn Branson.  There are plans for a second team from SPPC to make the trip this summer.
As well as establishing a worship centre and helping to build housing in Pedregal, the House Upon the Rock, operates a medical clinic. This month, the clinic will celebrate its 14th anniversary.    Here are some stats from the clinic:

* Patient Load 14,500
* 40% Haitian patients
* 60% Dominican patients
* Give out about $750,000US in medication annually
* Unknown number of people who come for prayer and counselling.
* Unknown number of people who have accepted Jesus and/or grown closer to God through the clinic's ministry.

As the clinic is situated on rented property, its continuing existence is always in doubt.  Therefore, The House Upon the Rock is attempting to purchase the property.  To date they have paid 48% of the purchase price, with the balance due by April, 2017.  You can support Paul and Sharyn in this venture with a donation.  For tax purposes, make your cheque payable to MSC Canada.  If you do not want a tax receipt, then a cheque can be made payable to Paul and Sharyn or MSC.  The ministry does not have a bank account in Canada so we cannot cash any cheque if it is made payable to House Upon the Rock.

More news from the Bransons.

God's Stories

We are excited to share that Sharyn has published a book!  It has been a project that she has been working on for a couple of years and fulfilling what God told her to do.  The purpose of writing this book is to share what we have witnessed that God has done.  He is an amazing God and is always doing miracles.  This book is a collection of, well, God's stories.  Stories from our 20+ years in full time missions and what we have been honoured to witness God do day after day.  We pray that this book will inspire and bring people closer to God.  Whether you are a believer or not, we hope that you will read this book and it will encourage you.

It is available at Amazon.com and .ca, Barnes and Noble and soon, it will be available at Chapters/Indigo.  Available Softcover, Hardcover and Ebook formats.

Canada:  God's Stories Twenty Years on the Mission Field

USA:  God's Stories Twenty Years on the Mission Field   Barnes & Noble
            God's Stories Twenty Years on the Mission Field   Amazon.com