A Small Health Concern

I live in the Valley of San Jose, where 75% of Costa Rica’s population lives. It sounds like it’s a huge area, but in reality it’s not all that huge, especially when the country is only about 500 miles in length and 200 miles in width. I’m surrounded by gorgeous mountains and am lucky to live just about 10 minutes from the base of the southern mountains of this valley.

However with any large city there are added health risks. Those risks are elevated when the area has little, to no, regulations on vehicles; multiple factories; and the burning of coffee fields. One of the risks are developing asthma.

Unfortunately, over the past several months I have begun noticing that it’s harder to breath out, especially in the evenings when I start settling down. These times have increased and can occur from only sitting down reading a book to exercising. I have begun experiencing a heaviness in my lungs during these episodes.

Today has been the worse. We did a entire chapel of praise and worship and I was one of the leaders, and also had a solo, however I found it hard to even sing because of the breathing issues.

After school, I asked one of my doctor friends at school about it and he said it’s very likely that it could be asthma. But there’s no way to know for sure without getting a breathing test.

Please pray that this will not become serious. (I’m hoping that working up on the mountain 5 days a week will help decrease the symptoms, since the air is fresh up there.) Also pray that if I do need to seek medical attention that the Lord will provide the financial means and the right to doctor to go to. Thanks for your prayers.

Closing a chapter

As we pulled into the airport in Lima where our journey together had begun, I don’t think anyone could believe it had been a week already. I guess it may be a glimpse of eternity because when you are in the presence of the Lord time passes quickly and there’s no other place you’d rather be. So, I (Kelly) would like to close out this trip with some memories from the team and then I’ll share the numbers from the week.

I had the same national with me each day. She was from a town called Pilcomayo and her name was Esmerelda. I have never been around a young believer that was so hungry to learn God’s word and he taught to share the Gospel. Each time I used a scripture while sharing the Gospel she would write it down. She was very eager to share the Evangecube and God used her to bring at least 10 people to Christ. My most memorable moment occurred on Wednesday. I was having an off day. while sharing the Gospel there was two occasions that day when I forgot a scripture that I was trying to use. Esmerelda jumped right in and quoted the verses that I had forgotten because she had memorized them. I had much fun sharing the Gospel this week, but my best memory will be the disciple that I was able to make in Esmerelda. We were able to plant a new church in that area and I can’t wait to come again next year and see how Esmerelda and the church have grown. All glory to God.

Jeff T.

I think my most memorable time was after a soccer game when I was able to share the Gospel with a group of guys we were playing with. Some other curious onlookers came over to listen too. I shared with them then I challenged them that it was a big commitment, and that Jesus asks us to do difficult things so don’t make decisions unless they truly meant it. I asked them to be bold in front of their friends. Three guys indicated that they had chosen to follow Christ. It gave me great joy because they seemed to be genuinely authentic. We talked some more and got them connected with the new church.

Josh L.

It was the middle of the week, and I was teamed up with my translator and a national woman, Lina. We were going door to door sharing our testimonies and the Evangecube. We were going past a bar and met a man named Edgar. At first he seemed like he was a little drunk and he was making comments about wanting to marry one of us. We ended up sitting down and talking with him. He wanted to know how to have the hope we had. I shared the Gospel with him and he told us he wanted us to come to his house and share it with his mother. After spending some time with them they shared that he struggled with drinking but wanted to change. They bothe prayed to receive Christ as their Savior and as they prayed both weeping. The national stood over Edgar and continued to pray, her voice raised till she was almost shouting. Each of us was praying over them and they were crying and even thought I had no idea what anyone else was praying, I could just feel the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Mary K.

My favorite memory on this trip was my follow up visit in Huancayo. I knew ahead of time that I wouldn’t see many of my prior contacts. Most were kids and people off the streets. So I along with my interpreter hit the streets to do more discipleship. While concluding prayer with a young couple a man named Antonio came yelling down the street, “my friend Londa”, it was then that I knew I had made a connection with the people and what I was doing. Gods work touches everyone. Antonio might have been on the street the first day and my chances of finding him were slim. God was accepted into Antonio’s heart and grace brought us back together for an amazing follow up. Thanks be to God.

Laurie J.

On Tuesday evening at the local cell group meeting we encouraged the group to consider that they were the start of a new church. At first they kept saying we need leaders and pastors. Yet after God’s Word was exposed to them and after they did the evangelizing, they began to realize that they could do this. When the light came on in their hearts and they realized they were chosen, what a great joy it was. A new church was born and I was allowed by God to partake of this blessing. May Jesus Christ be praised!

Tim M.

Working with Pastor Louis from one of the new church plants in Huancayo was an amazing and memorable experience! On one of our door-to-door evangelism days Pastor Louis knew exactly where he wanted to go. When we asked the Pastor where we were headed, he boldly expressed that he wanted to go to a specific area to speak to some terrorists! As we walked Pastor Louis informed my translator and me that the areas we were in was once very dangerous. Years ago, he had been a part of a team of 9 missionaries evangelizing in this community. 8 of these team members were killed during the campaign. Pastor Louis was the only survivor from the group. I was in awe to see his passion to return to this area to continue to bring the Good News to the very remnant of a group that murdered his friends.

Julie C.

Well, those are just a few of the stories and the rest we will all recount together in Heaven. As for the numbers, which please understand it is just part of the job, not our focus. This week through door-to-door, on the street, in the markets, in cell group meetings, on the courts and on the fields, we shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with 1675 people. Of those people 806 decided to begin following Christ. Now for some other cool numbers, 391 discipleship/follow-up appointments were completed. Also as a way of continueing the work in Huancayo 83 nationals were trained, 7 churches were started and 2 were strengthened. Please continue to pray for this work.

Nine months of work and prayer has gone into this week and the Lord has blessed our efforts by showing off and bringing fame to His name. So what now? So many more need to hear, is the Lord calling you?

Tomorrow we begin our journey home as we close this chapter of our lives. It will be a happy – sad day as we leave our family and friends here to reunite with our family and friends at home.

May God be gloried in all we do as we continually remind people, that anything good you see in us, comes from above. Thank you for everything.

Kelly, Jenni Sue, Scarlet and Maverek

update date from jessenfamilyministry.blogspot.com.

A Concerted Effort

So, I’m giving this blogging thing another try. I have come to own the fact that I will never be the pastor’s wife who artfully explains entire passages of scripture, details an extensive list of home projects that I have accomplished…all before lunch or poetically describe the many strange and yet wonderful things that my children do each day. BUT I do think that I could make more of an effort to keep my friends all over the world a little more ‘connected’ to our family and post pictures that only those same friends could appreciate.

In order to make my first post ‘back’ a little less verbose, I have decided to summarize some the last 6 months of our lives in bullet form…

Recently, our family has:

- Moved from Omaha, Nebraska (USA) to Cape Town, South Africa. We did this because JD took the job of Africa Director for the Acts 29 church planting network (www.acts29network.org)
- Found a house to live in, which we truly enjoy and found a car (no small feat, let me assure you)
- Welcomed a new member to our family six weeks later…this addition’s name is Sloane and she is now 5 months old
- (JD has) traveled back to the States, Uganda twice and is about to leave for Zambia in a few weeks
- We have celebrated Cohen’s second birthday…party to happen this weekend
- had a summer,(winter here) intern from Minneapolis, Minnesota live with us for almost three months (we just said goodbye last night)

Other than this, we have done a few trips around South Africa and generally worked on adjusting to life in a new home. Below, you can peruse some of our latest pictures of the kids…enjoy!

It’s like Cohen doesn’t realize that this face is a complete admission of guilt…

What I truly love about this shot is that it’s taken in the DEAD OF WINTER…man, we truly do live in paradise

Birthday Boy. Not sure if the ‘smile’ on Cohen’s face is as a result of the new basketball hoop he got for his birthday or because he’s seething inside at being made to wear his dad’s latest Ugandan purchase

My pretty…teething

Just A Few More Days

It’s finally that time, though I truly can’t wrap my mind around it yet and probably won’t for some time to come, but I’ll be back in the states in less than 3 days – Saturday! I’m excited about seeing everyone.

I ask for grace as I adjust to American culture and English. Forgive me ahead of time if I try to kiss you on your cheek when I greet you; throw my toliet paper in the trashcan; start speaking in Spanlish; or just plain weird at times.

I’d love to see you so email me at sunshineloveland@gmail.com if you’d like together. Can’t wait to be in Missouri very soon!

God is moving in Huancayo

Our days are going from 6:30 to 11:30 so we are going to let our team updates provide some insights to what is happening this week. We can’t even count the God stories we’ve been hearing from the team. Here are just a few.

http://sportreach.blogspot.com/

update date from jessenfamilyministry.blogspot.com.

Training Photos

We’ve been busy at training: meeting our new teammates, helping them become awesome teachers, learning my new responsibilities as the team leader, and telling the new teachers all about living in Central Asia! Check out some pictures to see all the fun we’re having and meet our great new team!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=128844&id=669709178&l=2ea7ae36d0

August Wallpaper

This month’s free wallpaper is a photo of the South Kazakhstan team! We hope this will help remind you to lift us up as we complete our training and head into our new cities this month!

Click on the link below to open the picture, then right click to save it.
Wallpaper (Average Screen) 4:3 Aspect Ratio

Thanks to all of you who checked the blog on July 31st. I can only assume you were looking for the latest installment of the wallpaper! We were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our last teammate. You may also notice there is only one size to download this month. It turns out that after I upgraded my computer with the latest version of the operating system, my old Photoshop version is no longer compatible. I will work to find a suitable replacement program before next month. In the meantime, thanks for your interest and patience!

I Passed!

It’s official, I’m receiving a diploma from the Instituto de Lengua Espanola! With the favor of God, I was able to pass both of my tests!

A year ago my Spanish speaking ability was a Beginner Low; with much studying and the strength of God to go on I am now at an Advance Low. The teacher who gave me my oral exam said with a little more work on my grammar and completed sentences I will quickly and very soon become an Advance Medium! Praise God!

Then there is the big grammar test worth 300 points. I was told that many people do not pass this test (meaning you have to score a 70% or higher), but 75% of our class passed; which is the highest percentage ever! I didn’t do as well as I would have liked but I did get a 78%. After talking to some people who are awesome in Spanish and they got low 80% I feel much better.

I’m just so thankful to God for His strength to survive and learn this language. I have really enjoyed learning Spanish with some amazing people. As classes end next week, I’m very sadden to say good-byes but I’m so excited to hear all about what God will be doing all around Latin America through friends that I have cherished so much. I just can’t believe the time has come to graduate. Wow!

Family Camp

During our time in Peru we have enjoyed reconnecting with our favorite church in Lima. Our brothers and sisters at Roca Eterna Community Church have welcomed us warmly whenever we’ve been in Lima. Last week they invited us to join them for their annual family camp so we gladly accepted. The location for the event was Camp Kawai located on the beach 2 hours south of Lima. I teased Jenni that I was taking her back to the place where we were married (actually we were married on the island of Kauai, HI but they pronounce it the same here). During the 3 days we spent time playing games, worshiping and enjoying Peruvian food. It was a wonderful time being together as a family….but sleeping in separate dorms. The girls on one side of the camp, Mav and I on the other. I also, had the opportunity to teach two workshops on evangelism and the benefits of cell group discipleship.

We are also excited to announce that this church will be sending a short-term mission team to go with us to Huancayo next week. Jenni and I will be training them how to work as an all-national team and partner with a church in Huancayo to help start a new church. This is very exciting as our goal is to train nationals how to establish new churches without North Americans!

Please pray for our family, the North American team and all the Peruvians that will be working together next week to spread the Kingdom of the one true God by making disciples all throughout the valley of Huancayo.

update date from jessenfamilyministry.blogspot.com.

I Made It!

I am officially done with my big tests and insane study schedule, but I feel like it paid off. The massive grammar test was easier than I expected. I, along with some others, had some issues with several parts of the test but I don’t think it will be that bad.

I am thankful to be done with this part and be able to enjoy the next two weeks as I prepare for all the stuff I’ll be doing while I’m back in the states. I’m also thankful that I get to finally rest and relax; and I’m doing it on Isla Tortuga for the day on Saturday.

Isla Tortuga is an island off the Pacific Coast, and some of my friends and I are going. The best part is that this is a gift from some friends who I watched their kids for several days. What a great way to just relax and finally get to breath some fresh, non-city air for the first time in 4 months. Isn’t God so great? He knows what we need, exactly when we need it! Yea for God! Thanks for all your prayers!

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