Steve and Barnabas in Tanzania

Flowers blooming at William and Martha's after the rains From Dictionary.com is the following definition of the word Mission: 1--a group or committee of persons sent to a foreign country to conduct negotiations, establish relations, provide scientific and technical assistance, or the like. 2--the business with which such a group is charged. 3--any important task or duty that is assigned, allotted, or self-imposed. 4--an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction; a calling or vocation 5--a sending or being sent for some duty or purpose. From Meriam-Webster.com: 1--a task or job that someone is given to do 2--a specific military or naval task 3--a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task As a former military man and being an engineer currently, I get the word mission, I understand it and I appreciate it.  It is at the core a statement about achieving a goal.  Lately, really since I visited home ...

  Primary school kids at eyeglass distribution point-wanted picture with Twiggy the Twiga who you can barely see at the flagpole. The first time I was asked to do eyeglasses was on a medical mission trip to Panama in 2002.  I was mainly along for crowd control and hauling luggage and the fact I loved the thought of being in the jungle again.  I was prepared to help in many ways from cleaning things, carrying things, using my stern face that still seemed to instill obedience in those I could not talk to.  I was not prepared to do eyeglasses.  This was my second mission trip and first medical trip.  We had just spent our first night in the mountain jungles where trucks had trouble climbing the steep inclines to the point we often got out and pushed them up the mountain.  We were getting things set up to start to see patients when the leading doctor asked if I would take the suitcase full of eyeglasses and distribute them.  I have never bee...