Here is a copy of our prayer letter that has been sent out to many familes and friends.  If you would like to contact me, all of our information is below. 

The Harvest truly is great, but the Laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Luke 10:2

Dear Friends & Family,

After many months of prayer and walking in faith that the Lord has called us to go, we are now preparing to enter the mission field! We began with nothing more than a burden placed in our hearts for un-reached peoples of the world, but God has solidified our specific mission and set us in motion towards that goal. Now, it’s time to share the mission and our vision with you!

Our Mission:Under the umbrella of Global Outreach Mission, we will be serving at the Pioneer Christian Hospital, in Impfondo, Republic of Congo, Africa.Pioneer Christian Hospital: (PCH)The hospital, which was opened in January of 2006, has so far served over 10,000 patients! It is the only Christian hospital in the country, and the only hospital in a region populated by around 200,000 people. The hospital’s founder, Dr. Joseph Harvey, treats patients’ needs with a very strong interconnection between physical & spiritual health. Patients are shown God’s love through the efforts of the hospital staff and presented with their need to have Jesus Christ as their savior. In addition to the hospital, there is also a chapel with daily services on the grounds.

Our Objectives:Once on the field in Impfondo, we will have many opportunities to serve the Lord at PCH. As you may well imagine, there are many needs to be filled! Danielle will be involved with home-schooling our son Michael, as well as other missionaries’ children. She may also serve in some administrative capacities at the hospital. Art will be working with nationals to renovate the remaining buildings on the compound (8) and to do various maintenance projects, from building repairs to mechanical service on vehicles and such; basically the handyman for the hospital’s many needs.Our Vision:Through serving the staff at PCH and interacting with the many local people who depend on its services, we will share God’s love and emphasize the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, as well as taking any opportunity to lead in their discipleship. We will also teach necessary skills to those disciples to enable them to continue the work we’ve begun, so that when the Lord decides that it is time for us to move on to others, we will leave behind a lasting, self-sufficient ministry that continues to bless the people of the Congo.

Your Opportunity:It is our firm conviction that every missionary is only the visible part of a much larger team effort. We are all called to go and make disciples of all nations, but not to all do the same part. The Lord has called our family to go out and be that visible part of this mission. However, we can’t do it alone and wouldn’t want to if we could! We ask that you prayerfully consider being a part of this vision; either as a prayer partner or a financial supporter (or both). Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as missionaries, and a family, as we follow God’s leading into the mission field. Without your prayers nothing would happen. If you would like to support our mission through your financial donation, please send checks to Global Outreach Mission (put Art & Danielle Ralston on the memo line) P.O. Box 2010 Buffalo, NY 14231-2010. We would also like to know if you will be able to provide consistent prayer support. Enclosed is a prayer card with an attached reply card. Please fill it out and return it.