Just over a week ago, Yolanda and I drove 9 hours from Boise to Eugene, OR, which is where we have been since then. We spent much of our time with people from Santa Clara Church. This is the first church to ever support JM2Z, and we had the opportunity to provide an update, as well as make some new friends there. Yolanda was given 15 minutes to speak last Sunday in each of the two services. As usual, she spoke extremely well, and shared things that we have been doing and our plans for the next year.
Just after she was done, we went to the elementary Sunday school classes. We shared about Zimbabwe and differences between living there and here. The children also had a chance to see our display table, which was filled with items, such as wooden bowls, carved animals, jewelry, and instruments that were all handmade by Zimbabweans. They had some great questions and were very interested in another culture.
That evening, we attended an adult small group. We enjoyed a potluck feast, followed by sharing more in depth about JM2Z. The group members asked us questions, in an attempt to get to know more about our passion, plans, and the Zimbabweans we will be working with. The evening ended with the entire group surrounding Yolanda and me, and praying for us. It was an incredibly meaningful time for us, and we are very appreciative of each and every one of their prayers.
On Tuesday evening, we got to have dinner with Santa Clara's pastor and his family, along with one of the elders and his wife. We were thankful for being able to get to share a meal and conversation with them on a more personal level. On Wednesday evening, we attended the high school youth group. We shared about what JM2Z does and a little about the people in Zimbabwe. The kids asked questions, and it was a good time for them to learn more about what is being done in missions around the world.
The church we were planning to be at yesterday cancelled on us. Instead, we decided to attend a small church near where we are staying. The people there were very friendly, many introducing themselves to us, including the pastor. He asked about us, so we said that we were missionaries with an open Sunday, so we decided to visit this church. He was interested in our story, and asked for a brochure about JM2Z. He seemed very glad to have met us, and said that he would like to contact us later. Something may come from that interaction, or it might not. Either way, we were glad to worship in this church.
We are hoping to be in the Salem area this coming Sunday, but are still waiting to hear back from leadership whether or not we have the green light. Much of friend-raising (we prefer it to the term fund-raising) is having patience and working with everyone else's schedules. Depending on what unfolds this coming weekend, we will be heading down to California. Our destination is Pine Valley, about 20mins from San Diego, but we will obviously break up the trip because of the long drive. We plan to drive along the coastline and enjoy the view until we reach San Francisco for a stop-over.
We have been quite busy lately writing letters, emails, making phone calls, attending meetings, visiting with friends and keeping y'all updated with our happenings.
Thank you for your continued prayers and emails of encouragement!
Just after she was done, we went to the elementary Sunday school classes. We shared about Zimbabwe and differences between living there and here. The children also had a chance to see our display table, which was filled with items, such as wooden bowls, carved animals, jewelry, and instruments that were all handmade by Zimbabweans. They had some great questions and were very interested in another culture.
That evening, we attended an adult small group. We enjoyed a potluck feast, followed by sharing more in depth about JM2Z. The group members asked us questions, in an attempt to get to know more about our passion, plans, and the Zimbabweans we will be working with. The evening ended with the entire group surrounding Yolanda and me, and praying for us. It was an incredibly meaningful time for us, and we are very appreciative of each and every one of their prayers.
On Tuesday evening, we got to have dinner with Santa Clara's pastor and his family, along with one of the elders and his wife. We were thankful for being able to get to share a meal and conversation with them on a more personal level. On Wednesday evening, we attended the high school youth group. We shared about what JM2Z does and a little about the people in Zimbabwe. The kids asked questions, and it was a good time for them to learn more about what is being done in missions around the world.
The church we were planning to be at yesterday cancelled on us. Instead, we decided to attend a small church near where we are staying. The people there were very friendly, many introducing themselves to us, including the pastor. He asked about us, so we said that we were missionaries with an open Sunday, so we decided to visit this church. He was interested in our story, and asked for a brochure about JM2Z. He seemed very glad to have met us, and said that he would like to contact us later. Something may come from that interaction, or it might not. Either way, we were glad to worship in this church.
We are hoping to be in the Salem area this coming Sunday, but are still waiting to hear back from leadership whether or not we have the green light. Much of friend-raising (we prefer it to the term fund-raising) is having patience and working with everyone else's schedules. Depending on what unfolds this coming weekend, we will be heading down to California. Our destination is Pine Valley, about 20mins from San Diego, but we will obviously break up the trip because of the long drive. We plan to drive along the coastline and enjoy the view until we reach San Francisco for a stop-over.
We have been quite busy lately writing letters, emails, making phone calls, attending meetings, visiting with friends and keeping y'all updated with our happenings.
Thank you for your continued prayers and emails of encouragement!
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