Blessings! Please allow us to introduce
ourselves. Lynnette and I (John) are lifelong residents of Ohio. We have been
married for over 30 years and have been blessed with two grown married
daughters, both of whom are serving the Lord.
One day my life was drastically changed,
which totally redirected my walk with the Lord. While being employed as a Deputy Sheriff, I was injured during an
altercation with a suicidal subject, who was high on heroin and cocaine. During
the altercation, my right knee was badly damaged. After two surgeries and much
therapy, it was determined I would no longer be able to continue my career. To
many, this would be a devastating blow, but my wife and I have used this
opportunity to follow the Great Commission, which is not a choice for us to
consider, but a command for us to obey…. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew
28:19).
Since that injury four years ago, the Lord
has been preparing, training, and equipping us to follow His command. We have
become heavily involved with “short term” missions, including helping those in
“immediate” need after natural disasters. We have served those in need after tornadoes,
hurricanes, floods, and fires in the United States. We have made three trips to
Haiti to build an orphanage after the earthquake, traveled to Nigeria to work
on a desperately needed hospital compound, and ventured to Bolivia to improve a
youth camp. We have made three trips to the remote Eskimo villages of Alaska to
build churches and had the honor to help build the camp in Port Alsworth,
Alaska that participates in “Operation Heal Our Patriots”. We then participated
in serving our wounded veterans and their spouses. Locally, we helped develop “Our
Daily Bread”, a feeding program in our home town. Both of us serve in a prison
ministry called “KAIROS”, and we are both riding members of “Bikers for Christ”
motorcycle ministry. We are compelled to love others and long for others to
come to the saving knowledge of Christ, and the hope that comes only through
Him.
Therefore, after much prayer and
consideration we feel that it is time “to get out of the boat and walk upon the
waters wherever God calls”; we believe that the place for us right now is in
Bolivia working with LATCOM, which is where I was blessed to be part of a
project rewiring many of the buildings at Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center from February-March 2013. During this time, I was introduced
to the many different projects that LATCOM leads as part of its ministry
efforts, and the sharing of the hope and love that comes only through Jesus
Christ. My wife and I are taking this step of faith into “long term” missions,
knowing that there is no greater joy than the joy that comes from helping
others and to see them come to accept Jesus as their own Savior!
This step of faith will require both of us
to leave our family, friends, church, and jobs. We trust that the Lord will
take care of us… through others. We do not enter into this lightly, but with
great trust – the trust that comes without borders or limitations to be able to
see the mighty hand of God! Will you embark on this call….will you help your
brothers and sisters of other nations? Prayerfully consider helping us financially
to reach Gods desire. Thank you.
Ordinary people who serve an
Extraordinary God,
John & Lynnette Garrison
If you have questions or would
like to support John and Lynette, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or
email jrgboat@gmail.com.
