Past Newsletters
Good Questions & Thoughtful Answers - Reflecting over the past year causes me to reflect on Vine’s history. My office is a museum of my life. Most everything displayed has a story – & since 1993, pictures have become historical – meaning what seems like yesterday was actually years ago – even decades now….READ MORE
Macro – Well…my dog ate our Spring newsletter. Okay, I don’t have a dog. How about…I’ve been moving fast, keeping up with our daily work – collecting, shipping, & distributing medical aid in Guatemala – & it’s growing. Some might say about me – “moving fast” is an oxymoron – but I beg to differ. The reality is nothing is simple about importing aid into developing countries….READ MORE
Numbers? – I seem to have a love-hate relationship with them. Business gives me appreciation for them, yet they often don’t tell the best part of the story. Numbers can gauge success, like balance sheets, telling if our assets outweigh liabilities. But assertions like “numbers don’t lie” can be an illusion – depending on “who” is inputting “what” data – & to “what” end. Alluding to government or profit & nonprofit sectors? No…not really…though, I suppose, if the shoe fits, wear it. I’m actually thinking about life……READ MORE
About the stuff ? - Dr. Bruce Allsop (our medical director) & I recently returned from a 9-day whirlwind trip in Guatemala, visiting many of the projects & folks that Vine assists. It was also our “last hurrah” with the Rice’s before they retire back to the US – & a time for reflection of what God has done. I’ve said it many times. On the outside, Vine’s work looks like medical aid…& of course, it is – supplies, equipment, medicines, nutrition, disability items, & an array of related things – millions & millions of dollars-worth….READ MORE
Look what you’ve done – You might notice this newsletter is a little different. First, it’s a summary of our work this year – brought on by the fact that you’ve not heard from me in a while. No excuses here – other than my good intentions to write were constantly usurped by trying to keep up with the pace of our work. Did I just explain away my neglect? Nevertheless, the good news is we’ve had a great year of doing what we do best – shipping & distributing medical aid in Guatemala….READ MORE
Regard for Life? – Recently, driving through Guatemala, a brightly colored chicken-bus came barreling at us out of a mountain curve, looking as if it was going to tip over any moment. Outwardly, I didn’t even flinch. I guess I’ve seen it too many times. But I did flinch inwardly, thinking, “You know, I should be used to this by now.” No one on that bus, especially the driver, even blinked, as they left us in a cloud of diesel fumes….READ MORE
2007 Vine News 3rd & 4th Quarter
Tip of the Ice Berg – I was thinking about God’s calling & it hit me that to really understand it – I had to begin with His sovereignty. Like when I was muddling through college – before I knew the Lord personally. A friend told me that a Business Transportation degree was the easiest – & that’s what I did. Now, decades later, it’s what I do. “Humm…” Years later, in a manufacturing business, an overseas customer in Italy wanted some odd things – not even close to our product line – like an antique car & 10,000 used 501 Levi jeans….READ MORE
Frustrations – It has been some frustrating months. The Lord continues to build Vine’s pipeline of aid to Guatemala, yet the government keeps getting harder & harder to work with. I’ve said it countless times – we have two choices – work through it – or pack up & go home. However, if God has called us to do it – then we really have only one choice. As a member of TECH (Technical Exchange for Christian Healthcare), I hear similar stories from brothers & sisters serving in medical missions all over the world….READ MORE
Wasted? - In serving the poor a thought can come – “The need is so great, it seems like we’re trying to empty the ocean with a bucket.” Knowing the best efforts will likely never solve the health problem in Guatemala – this does beg the question – “So, what’s the point?” Two answers. First is the eternal value of one person to God. Forget the numbers….READ MORE
