Reaching the people of Ecuador with the love of Christ

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Wow..

    I can't believe my last post was in September!  Where does the time go!  Can't believe Christmas is just around the corner.  We are very blessed this Christmas season.  My heart goes out to all those in CT who lost their children and family members.  Words can not express the sorrow that I am sure each of these families and ourselves have felt these past couple of days.  Our hearts and prayers are with all these families, their loved ones, and the community. Praying God's peace and comfort for each one of them.
 
     We continue on our journey though this month we have slowed down a bit due to the Christmas holidays.  Doesn't look like we will make our January departure so we are now shooting for May.  This will be when the next semester of language school starts.  We are a little less than %60 on our monthly budget which is amazing and we are well over our cash budget.  Although I am a little disappointed I know God has got everything under control!  Brooklyn will now be able to make her class trip, Cole will be able to participate in the Royal Ranger Pine Wood Derby, and I will be able to take a tropical medicine class that will be in the early spring.  We have a lot to be thankful this Christmas season and we thank God for the love he has shown us through the birth of His son, Jesus!

    Just a side note.  I wasn't able to go to Ecuador this Christmas for the Women's prison christmas program.  But I was told all things went well.  There are now close to 555 women in the prison.  They had a concert for the women, the word was preached, the balloons were let go with the womens prayer requests on them, and hearts were changed!


Merry Christmas or Feliz Navidad!!!

Jen

 
 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

On the road again...

We have been traveling all throughout PA and NC that last few months.  We have been blessed to meet so many great pastors and people.  God has been good to us and so faithful!  We have raised all of our cash budget and are now working on monthly commitments.  We are at 42% and climbing.  WE hope to leave for Cost Rica in January if we have 100% of our commitments raised!  Trusting the Lord we see us through to the end!  Thanks to everyone for your prayers and financial support--we are truly grateful and blessed for your partnership!

   The kids are back to school.  Brooklyn is in 8th grade this year and playing volleyball.  She is doing great in both and loving being with her friends and going to youth group.  Cole is in 6th grade and of course it's "bad" as he would say, but he is surviving.  He loves his computer and for his birthday he asked for a faster wireless router!  He enjoys being apart of Royal Rangers and just finished a father/son camp out where he made his own fishing pole.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Commissioning service.....
    On June 28, 2012, Mickey, I and the kids, were commissioned by the Assemblies of God as missionaries to Ecuador.  This is such a milestone in our lives.  Thinking back to when God spoke to my heart about missions at the age of 12, it's hard to believe I am now living out the dream He placed in my heart!  Though it seemed like this moment would never come, God has been faithful to see it through, and He continually amazes me each and everyday. In the years of waiting I have learned so much about myself and Lord.  He has grown me, encouraged me, disciplined me, and loved me like only a loving father could. 
     We are excited as we move forward and looking toward Jan 1st as our departure date to Costa Rica.  In Costa Rica we will continue language training for 8 months and then from there we will head to Ecuador. 
     Hold on to the dreams and words spoken to you from the Lord, for in His perfect timing you shall see them come to pass!



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Missouri....


   We are currently in Springfield, Missouri.  We are attending some pre-field training.  We have been refreshed by stories of God's faithfulness in the lives of veteran and new missionaries.  The kids are preparing for their wildnerness adventure training in the woods--they get to sleep in hammocks and are only allowed to take a bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a few clothes.  Cole is looking forward to wearing the same clothes and not bathing and Brooklyn is figuring a way to smuggle some shampoo! 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Christmas program in prison...

Inside El Inca's Women's Prison
     In December I returned to Quito to help with the annual Christmas program and dinner in the women's prison.  This year there are about 422 women plus children inside the prison.  The women were glad to see me again and I had longed to see them!  Many were doing well, growing in the faith and being used of the Lord.  Others were struggling with drug addiction, depression, and loneliness.  I believe all were encouraged as we came in to prison with a message of hope.  Geodon, a christian rock group, lead off the morning engaging the women in song.  Next, Pastor Jean shared and awesome message about Jesus love and concern for each one of them.  As tears streamed down their faces many were touched by that same love that day.  After this each women had a piece of paper to write down their prayer requests.  They were writing like there was no tomorrow and putting as many words on that tiny piece of paper as they could.  We then collected them and placed them all together and tied them to balloons.  The requests were then prayed over, and they slowly lifted toward the heavens missing the barbed wire all around.  Tears filled the eyes of some, while others shouted with joy as there requests left the place they could not!  We finished out the afternoon with a gift basket of food, chocolates, and a music CD for every prisoner and staff member in the prison.  It was a blessed and encouraging time.  I am looking forward to our return back to Quito to continue in this rewarding ministry!