January 16, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I´m writing from an internet cafe near the beach.  Michael and I have been working non-stop, him at the church and me with my university studies.  We´re on vacation until May 9th when we go back for church functions and summer school.  We´re having a wonderful time.  We went to the beach, layed on the hamack and are reading books for fun, a rare thing.

This morning when I woke up, I noticed the door open and it turns out we were broken into.  We´re missing about $80, my cell phone and our camera (the one we use for the blog). 

I´m writing because a few months ago a letter was sent out in regards to changes 815 was making for missionaries.  It was suggested to me, I make a "needs" list.  We have several expensed the stipend does not cover. So here goes:

1. a camera.  We use the camera for the blog to take pictures of our mission work.

2.  lawyer bill.  We go through a layer for immigration.  Usually we get a 3 month visa, then a year visa.  We have a bill of $900 and we have to go back for our 3 month visa next month.

3. dentist, eye doctor and medical visits.  We have Cigna, but we have to pay up front and we receive only a portion of that back. Both of us need new glasses and dental work.

Those are the main things.  We still buy food for the poor and books for the hogar.  Any donations will be acceptable.  Please send them to:

St. Francis Episcopal Church
1205 Pine Ave
San Jose, CA 95125
408-292-7090
www.stfrancisepiscopalchurch.org

Your missionaries in Panama,
Mona and Michael Dresbach
mgdbach@hotmail.com  - Michael
mldbach1@yahoo.com  - Mona
http://padremickey.blogspot.com

Please pass this letter on to everyone. If you would like to make donations or a monthly pledge to our mission, please contact St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave., San Jose, CA 95125, 408-292-7090. Please feel free to check St. Francis' web site at www.stfrancisepiscopalchurch.org , which includes an archive of our letters and pictures of our mission.