Pray For Preacher Mike

Hello friends.

I have not posted very often on the TN board, but I do read your posts quite often.  It is wonderful how each of your care for one another.  I am impressed with the opportunities made to be around each other during lunch, or dinners for fellowship.  It's awesome how you request prayer for one another, and share concerns.

Friends, I have two concerns of my own that wish for you all to keep in your prayers. 

In 2009, I am going to be making a missions trip down to Guyana South America.  I am taking this trip as a first step in faith to reach out to others in a foreign field after WLS.  I am a bit nervous how I will be able to tolerate the food offered there since it will be limited in options.  I am less than two months out from my surgery, so I have not quite started trying new foods.

Another request to go along with the above is that we will be able to meet our financial need for the trip.  It will cost us over $2700.00 for me and my wife to go.  That includes everything in the cost.  We are trying to raise our own support by selling things, and picking up odd jobs.  So far we are a bit less than half the way there to reaching our goal.  I know the Lord can meet our needs, but prayer is what moves God into action. 

I appreciate your reading this post, and also the fact that I know you will pray for us.  I look forward to having the chance to meet some of you in person at TN events, and getting to know you more and more through this message board.

Thanks so much!
Preacher Mike

You and your wife are in my prayers.  Hint: Take LOTS of protein!
Marilyn

I agree. I suggest you carry some single serving packs of protein powder.  If you can't get milk you can use bottled water in an emergency.
darlene

Great suggestion regarding the protein powder.  I am not sure if they will allow such things through inspections into other countries/Airports/Etc.?  Have any of you tried this before? 

I haven't but call the airline you are using and ask them, also maybe try customs for the country you are visiting.  If all else fails, have your surgeon to write on a prescription pad that this is necessary because you have had WLS.
darlene

You have to get the sample packs, individually wrapped.  They will not allow you to take baggies.  You may want to consider going to Bariatric Eating and purchasing their sample pack which has all brands, flavors, or also they have some called Biochem berries & whey and some others that are in individual packs.  Susan Maria travels a lot.  Some women who went on her trip to Europe lost their protein cause they did not pack correctly.  Best get prepared now...  allow time to receive it, etc.

they do allow protein powders on planes. I went on trip recently and carried some in a tuffer ware type bowl and they allowed it. You should be able to carry the individual packets or the larger containers. I am praying for you and your wife and your mission.

Mike,
         Check with Laura at Dr. McDowell's office, she may have individual pack samples that hsave the manufacture's labele, it would be easier to allow these through customs if they are unopened and marked by the manufacurer.  I would also have him write a letter as to why you need this on your travel, it would fall under the same category as Rx meds and baby formula, I would think.  However, you can also contact BE and order the sample pack and see if they have sample size/travel size powders you can take on your trip as well. You could also contact some of the manufactureres directly as well yourself.   Vitamin Shoppe also has protein pudding in the individual packs, plus their bars that would be individually wrapped that would help.  Scott and Beth have a place that they order their bars online that are smaller in portion and cheaper than those at the Vitamin Shoppe, I know he would share his secret, because the smaller portion would be better than the larger ones.  These are just a few suggestions that I have heard and seen when people have been traveling within and outside the country that worked for them, however each country does have different custom rules!!  Do not forget your vitamins either,  do know that Bariatric Advantage has them in individual packs, maybe they will sell them to you this way for your trip!!! Laura may also have contact information for you as well.

Best of Luck and much prayer to you,
Shelia

I'll praying for you and your wife and your mission.