As we are nearing the end of our time in the U.S., we are exhausted physically, but energized emotionally. 11,000 miles of U.S. travel in two and a half months has taken its toll, but we are so thankful for the blessing of being able to see and visit so many people. The travel has tired us, but all of you have strengthened us. Tomorrow, we fly from Boise to Chicago to pack up. Then, fly from Chicago to London next Monday. Soon our 37,000 mile journey will be complete, but there are so many good things from just the last two weeks which we want to share.
The conference at Boise Bible College was very enjoyable. Yolanda's workshop on "reaching the least of these" went really well. The main speaker for the week was excellent and it was also a good week being able to catch up with supporters from the area, as well as some friends we hadn't seen in a couple years.
The conference at Boise Bible College was very enjoyable. Yolanda's workshop on "reaching the least of these" went really well. The main speaker for the week was excellent and it was also a good week being able to catch up with supporters from the area, as well as some friends we hadn't seen in a couple years.
From Boise, we drove 8 hours to Eugene, OR. Our time with the people at Santa Clara Church was wonderful. This was JM2Z's first supporting church 6 years ago, so it was kind of like going home. Yolanda updated the church during the main service and then we spent time with several adult small groups that evening. We were blessed with amazing hospitality from not just our hosts, but the entire church. We were invited to dinners and desserts most evenings. There is an American Heritage girls' group who meets at the church and they had collected money and presented us with a check (pictured above). How exciting it was to see God at work in the hearts of children for missions.
Last week was also the conclusion of the auction for the blanket that our ladies crocheted. After we announced it at Santa Clara, some individuals in the church decided to combine their resources, which resulted in the church as a whole winning the blanket for $500! We are very thankful that we will be able to take that back to benefit those who made it. We knew the people at church were scheming something since they had already started to plan where they were going to display the blanket in the church before the auction was over :-)
Last week was also the conclusion of the auction for the blanket that our ladies crocheted. After we announced it at Santa Clara, some individuals in the church decided to combine their resources, which resulted in the church as a whole winning the blanket for $500! We are very thankful that we will be able to take that back to benefit those who made it. We knew the people at church were scheming something since they had already started to plan where they were going to display the blanket in the church before the auction was over :-)
After that week, we drove 7 hours South to Willows, CA. This was our first visit to Willows Christian Church and we were welcomed with open arms. After Yolanda presented JM2Z in the main service, we had a question/answer time during the adult Sunday school hour. Multiple individuals expressed that they would like to support JM2Z monthly and many said they would be in prayer. We won't know until October if the church will pick us up as a monthly partner, which is when they meet to discuss their following year's missions support. We really enjoyed meeting everyone there!
During the question/answer time, we brought up our electricity issues and our plan for a solar system (which will cost $10,000), but that it would need to wait until after the next time we come back to the U.S., as we haven't raised anything for that yet. At the conclusion of the time, a lady approached us and said that she would like to give toward it. We told her that would be great if she would contribute to it. Every bit helps. She said, no, you don't understand. And she proceeded to tell us that she was going to write a $10,000 check for the entire solar system! We were in shock and disbelief. It was so unexpected! 2 hours earlier, we hadn't met this congregation and now we are hearing this news. But why should we be surprised? God continues to bless JM2Z time and time again through generous people. Remember when He raised $22,000+ for our ministry vehicle in 48 hours, 2 years ago? How could we forget? So God's hand is all over this ministry, reminding us that it is His and that He will continue to provide in His timing and in manners in which we don't expect so that He will get the glory, not us. What a blessing it will be to have consistent power at the house so that we don't have to pull all-nighters to get our work done when the electricity is off during the day. We can get the rest we need at night to be energized for the day when we meet with the ladies.
During the question/answer time, we brought up our electricity issues and our plan for a solar system (which will cost $10,000), but that it would need to wait until after the next time we come back to the U.S., as we haven't raised anything for that yet. At the conclusion of the time, a lady approached us and said that she would like to give toward it. We told her that would be great if she would contribute to it. Every bit helps. She said, no, you don't understand. And she proceeded to tell us that she was going to write a $10,000 check for the entire solar system! We were in shock and disbelief. It was so unexpected! 2 hours earlier, we hadn't met this congregation and now we are hearing this news. But why should we be surprised? God continues to bless JM2Z time and time again through generous people. Remember when He raised $22,000+ for our ministry vehicle in 48 hours, 2 years ago? How could we forget? So God's hand is all over this ministry, reminding us that it is His and that He will continue to provide in His timing and in manners in which we don't expect so that He will get the glory, not us. What a blessing it will be to have consistent power at the house so that we don't have to pull all-nighters to get our work done when the electricity is off during the day. We can get the rest we need at night to be energized for the day when we meet with the ladies.
 Our host in Eugene taught us some woodworking skills in his shop |  Our hosts in Willows had the "smiliest" baby we had ever met |
From Willows, we drove 11 hours yesterday to Bruneau, ID. We have had the opportunity to spend the night with friends and partners in ministry (including our forwarding agent). Tomorrow we make the short drive back to Boise to fly to Chicago. Please be in prayer for safety during the rest of our travel. We have been blessed immensely so far and trust God that He will take us the rest of the way without incident.
We can't express how incredibly grateful we are for YOU. Every person/couple who has hosted us, fed us, paid our transportation or lent us a vehicle have all been amazing. We are extremely thankful for your graciousness towards us the last 9 weeks. Thank you for welcoming us back briefly and energizing us emotionally. Thank you also for your many gifts. We praise God for His many mercies and blessings through YOU. We look forward to visiting with all of you again the next time we are back, hopefully within 2 years time. Please pray for us as we prepare to leave within the week. We'll close with a quote that says it best. "Goodbyes are not forever, and are not the end; it simply means we'll miss you until we meet again."
We can't express how incredibly grateful we are for YOU. Every person/couple who has hosted us, fed us, paid our transportation or lent us a vehicle have all been amazing. We are extremely thankful for your graciousness towards us the last 9 weeks. Thank you for welcoming us back briefly and energizing us emotionally. Thank you also for your many gifts. We praise God for His many mercies and blessings through YOU. We look forward to visiting with all of you again the next time we are back, hopefully within 2 years time. Please pray for us as we prepare to leave within the week. We'll close with a quote that says it best. "Goodbyes are not forever, and are not the end; it simply means we'll miss you until we meet again."
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