Deena! I was just talking to a missionary at my church and thought of you! This missionary is from Germany though. Our church does support missionaries in the Congo and Kenya. Ohhhh....how I wish I could go! But I guess I better look to see where God wants me though, right? lol. Hopefully, one day it will be on the mission field, if only for a trip. Anyway, still thinking and praying for you! I just know you will have a hand in many being saved! What an honor and privilege!
Africa is pretty open to missionaries right now. So is India. But India is getting tougher, more restrictions. I'm so glad I have a chance to go to Africa while I can! Thankyou for thinking of me Ava Rose! Being a missionary is so amazing! It was neat to have our whole family last summer in Fiji! What a great experience that was for all of us! God really blessed! I never dreamed I'd be going to Africa in less than a year from that trip! I agree Ava Rose, what an honor and privilege to be able to go! The Bible says to spread the word to all the world. Some people's part of the world is their own family, or their own church, or city, or county, or state! It doesn't mean we HAVE to go to a foreign land! But some ARE called to foreign mission fields, as I happened to be. We need to work where God calls us to work, wherever that may be! I just said that so some of you realize that you ARE a missionary right where you are. Your children are a HUGE, utterly important mission field! Maybe you are a positive influence on others in your church or city. I know some of you do day care. My sister used to run a day care out of her home also, and that can certainly be a mission field! Soooo, I will pray for you all, if you will please pray for me!
My husband and I are missionaries right here in our own 6 county area. We are with Child Evangelism Fellowship. We are able to go to the schools (after-school) and teach a Bible Club for 1 hour each week. The Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that Good News Clubs can meet in public schools after school hours on the same terms as other community groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc). The children need to have a signed permission slip to attend. It has been very successful. Currently we have clubs in over 1300 schools, reaching 37,000 students in nearly every state. The pay is great - it's heavenly My husband is part-time and I am full time. Even our grandson helps out, he loves telling mission stories. That is considered a History Lesson and he teaches it. Pray for the children in the USA and around the world
Way to go Ohio Grandma! Woo Hoo! That's EXACTLY what I was saying---we all have mission work we can do, should we choose to accept it! I think that's great that you're reaching those kids!
Thank you for the perspective, Ohio Grandma! My head knows that I am a missionary in my own neighborhood but sometimes I think of beyond the sea! lol. As if only souls can be saved outside of the united states! We all have a part in fulfilling the great commision! As VBS rolls around again this year I am looking forward to another soul winning week. Last year over half my class got saved and most of the rest were already saved! I also have my own nieghborhood to see as my field. Sometimes, I guess I forget God put me in this location for a reason!
When I attended Oral Roberts, I came away with a different perspective. They said that there are very few "unreached people groups" anymore. For the most part, the gospel has reached all around the world. While we should still encourage missions, we need to ALL concentrate on taking the gospel to our work world, wherever that is. Too often we leave God at the door when we go to work. Do we view our jobs as a mission field? He believes that God heals, both miraculously and through doctors. But a doctor that is relying on medicine and ignores prayer is using only half of the abilities God has given him. WHATEVER our job is, God has us there for a reason.
I agree Jackie! I've always wanted to go overseas as a missionary, but I've also realized that my children are my main mission ground. Their souls are soooo important to me, and the things I do and say and how I act and the opportunities I give them will help them decide for or against God! Plus in our neighborhood we have had opportunities to reach out to neighbors, and not neccessarily share God, but just live a Godly life as an example to others. That's mission work! There are hurting people in our own churches that need a smile, hug, someone to talk to/with, etc. That's mission work too! Those are what I've been concentrating on, and now I happened to get a call to go to the Africa mission field. Not my first mission field, because of these other things, just a different one that God wants me at, for some reason! But if I had to choose between Africa and my kids, well, obviously I'd choose my kids! Yeah, Ava Rose, VBS is a great one too! So you all keep up the good work you're doing!
Wow, this is so strange: I'm leaving for Africa one week from tomorrow! It still seems a little unreal! I have a request for you to pray for. The safari we wanted to go on at the end of our campaign work ended up being too expensive. But right at the time we made the decision not to go on the safari, my dh was looking up something totally different and "just happened" to run across a site that said they donate to this mission place. So dh looked at what they were talking about, and it was an orphanage in Kenya, not far from where we'll be! I sent them an e-mail but have not heard back from them yet. My friend from my church and I would absolutely LOVE to go work/help at the orphanage instead of the safari! We feel God is leading in this, that He wanted us to find this. Please pray that we will receive an answer and be able to go volunteer at the orphanage! What an absolute thrill that would be! Thankyou!
Deena... My letter didn't go out Saturday because the mail had already been picked up. I sure hope it gets all the way to WA by Friday. I guess your dh will get it to you? Sorry! I didn't really realize you were leaving so soon!
Deena, We will be praying for you and your friend. I wish you all the luck in the world. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
ONLY 5 DAYS NOW! WOW! Yesterday my dd and I went to a dollar store and spent $25 on stuff to take to the kids in Africa. Today a friend of mine handed me a check for $25 and said, "I know it's not much, but I wanted to help! Is that cool or what? The same amount I spent yesterday she gave me a check for today! I got my last shot yesterday, the second an a series, so it's good to get that overwith. I have to have one more in that series 5 months from now. Once you get the first two shots, you're 85% covered, so that's good. The lady from Curves, where I go to work out, called me today and asked me to come in, cuz she wants to give me a Curves shirt to take along to wear while there, and get a picture of me wearing it in Africa! She said, "Since I can't go and the company is not there yet, at least a SHIRT will be!" Now I need to organize my stuff and start packing. That'll be a job! THere are so many little details to take care of! Remember (please) to keep me in your prayers June 12 through July 6!!! Thankyou!!!
What Jackie??! I thought you had that all set up already! Ah-oh. Better call the airport and let'em know or that bungee space may be reserved by someone else! Hey Jackie, did you do all caps again? Wonder why it keeps changing it like that?! Are you holding the caps lock down, or did you click it completely on? I WONDER WHAT'S HAPPENING? (holding caps lock on) I WONDER WHAT'S HAPPENING? (clicked on, not holding it)
Yeah, I now know that when I see every word capitalized that it was meant to be all caps! Gotcher bungee now Jackie?
Yea, Jackie you have to get it ready so I know what it looks like and where you will you be going so I can bring you water and food until we land.
Kris, that is so nice of you! I have confirmation of the bungee attachment on the planes we will be taking, Jackie. Wear a warm coat, it'll get cold flying over the ocean at night! Kris and Brenda, did you diet down to 50 pounds? That's all I'm allowed for my suitcases! I'm bringing extra sandwiches and water for you......
