Saturday, November 29, 2014

Language barrier challenges...

Well, change of address to USPS submitted, all local bills changed to email. As of Dec 9th all mail will be forwarded to our address in Arecibo,Puerto Rico.

We have already exprianced one challenge with the language barrier. And we are not even there yet. This whole time we thought we knew where our house was. That is until I went to submit our change of address form and the urbanization I input did not exist. (Spelling error in original text. Auto correct changed it from Spanish to English) For those we told or used Google Earth to show you, we were wrong, I think. It seems we are much closer to the city than originally thought. So to be honest, we have only an idea of where we are going to be living. I guess we really won't know until we walk in the front door. 

This is only one of many challenges we will have as we learn the language and culture. 
Let the adveture begin. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Praise Report!!!

Some more great news!!!


Pastor Efron from The CenterChurchPR has found a couple options for cars for us when we get down to Puerto Rico. Both in the price range we are looking at!!!!
www.thecenterchurchpr.com


Jennifer also found a couple second hand stores in Aricebo! I wasn't sure there were many down there and there are two in the town we are living in! I cannot wait to go shopping there and see what God provides for us.


God also provided another $500 last night!!! We are so thankful for God's provision and the support of local churches, friends and family.


We almost have all the luggage we need. God has provided cheap quality luggage and amazing friends who have graciously donated luggage to us. Thank you God!


We have our police reports done and printed out for possible employment at the Christian Academy in Manati. Please keep praying that I get this job, it would be a huge blessing.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Finacial Support Update

After spending some time with Pastor Lloyd from Seven Hills Church we have decided on the best way to handle tax deductible financial support.
If you would like to claim any financial support, including monthly support, on your taxes please send it to:


Seven Hills Church
c/o Hoogeveen Missions
661 East 24th Street #100
Holland, MI 49423


Checks written out to Seven Hills Church
Hoogeveen Missions written in the memo spot.


If tax deduction is not a concern for you or you only use credit or debit cards you can financially support this mission by going to, www.donationto.com/matthew-28-missions
This account is directly linked to our Paypal account.


If you have any questions please contact us. Thank you for your support.

Blessed and Packing up

(John posting)
Well, I'm all packed up for the most part and we have received 1300 unexpected dollars over the past two day! What a blessing!!! Thank you God for your provision and love.

One carry-on full of school books, Bibles an other books....check

One check bag full of clothing( no winter coats, boots, hats or gloves 😊) ...check

One check bag full of house hold items including family pictures, basic hand tools  ,and Puerto Rican espresso maker...check. (Gotta have the essentials you know.)

I leave next week. This is getting real y'all!



Saturday, November 22, 2014

Cliff Jumping

Some great things happend today.
First we visited some family friends before John leaves.
Then we went to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought Blake a telescoping fishing pole so he can pack a pole in his bag.
The we went back to our friends house for the rest of the day and had lunch and dinner with them. We will miss them dearly.
Once we got home I went to get mail and there was a $500 check in the mail! God is good and is providing! 

It feels like we are jumping off a cliff and God is at the bottom holding out his hand! So epic, so amazing, so freeing. Wanna jump with us?

The Tools God Gives

We are here to bring glory to God. This means, when we experience hurt, that too is to be used to bring God glory. Often times when we are hurt we ask God to take away the pain or anger we have. Sometimes, ok a lot of the time, we even ask God why. Why this or why that. What if we asked, how?
How God can I use this to bring you glory? 
What I believe will happen, and Im pretty sure there is biblical references to back it up, is that God will show us. Not only that, God will take the hurt and turn it into a tool to use to relate with others.
God revealed to me that because of something I experienced, I now have a tool to use when I get resistance from those who have experienced the same thing. I can show them that just because we experienced this doesent mean it changes who Jesus is or how much he loves us. Just because man does something dosen't mean that represents Jesus.
Jesus is so much bigger than we know. We can never be just like Jesus, but we can work towards becoming more and more like him. But when man messes up, and he will, we have to understand that humans are not Jesus, no matter how much they know or how much they love Jesus. Man will always let us down. Jesus never will.
So next time you are hurt ask God, "How?"
God is getting ready to give you a new tool.


Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend of Sinners

This song by Casting Crowns speaks so much into the truth of what we are called to do and who JESUS is. Enjoy.
This is one of Jennifer's personal favorites.

This is Discipleship

This video is the video we share with churches when we talk about what God has called us to. When we first saw this video it spoke to our hearts and our mission as Christians. I hope you are blessed with this video like we were.

New Address

We got our new mailing address today. If you would like it please let us know.


Friday, November 21, 2014

Online Funding Site Correction

Our online funding site was mis-spelled. The correct address is
www.donationto.com/Matthew-28-missions

Thursday, November 20, 2014

One Way Ticket

Well here we go....tickets are bought. I leave on December 4th and will be spending 6 days with Pastor Leo and Angeles. We will be working on getting details taken care of and getting the house set up. Jennifer and the kids will be coming down December 10th.
We have be blessed with an opportunity to get some of what we need for the house from a sister who is moving to Houston and will be selling her things. I have been asked to get a background check and refernces for the job at the church school in Manati. We are praying through this and ask you to join us.

The following is John sharing from his personal perspective. 
     I would be lying if I said my emotions are not high right now! This is all so very overwhelming. I know we are safe with Jesus and God will provide all our needs, however this is a huge leap of faith.
This is probably the hardest, yet most exciting thing I have ever done.
I try to be strong because I feel I have to be. But the honest truth is I am not strong enough to do this without Jesus. There is no way without Him I will make it. Now I’m not saying this because I am afraid but rather the opposite. I know with Jesus there is no fear, and fear has no place here! In fact, I don’t even want to do this on my own, I’m not that good; without Jesus I am helpless. We are safe in his arms and he has this all under control.  I just want to be transparent with you all. It is easier for me to share in writing than in spoken words.  Personally I write to get out what is inside. My personal posts will be very transparent about what I am personally experiencing.
     I cannot say what Jennifer or the kids will share. Just know that when I write it is coming from me and not necessarily the whole family unless otherwise stated. I want them to share what they want to share about their own journey.

On another note,
We have set up a way for those who are led to support our mission financially to be able to do it online.
You can go to the following link: www.donationto.com/Mattew-28-Missions
We are working on a way to connect this to Seven Hills so your support can be tax deductible. As of right now they are not unless a check is sent to Seven Hills.


 That’s all for now. More to come.....way more to come! To God be the glory.
"...go and make disciples..." (Jesus)


 




 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Great News Coming Soon

Well, God continues to show up. We got some information tonight we are sorting through. We will be able to share more details tomorrow. 

Received a phone call from Pastor Leo and Angeles in Puerto Rico tonight. They had some good news about the job we have been praying about for John. There is also good news about getting some much needed items for the house.

The Holland Sentinel called tonight to get more info on our trip. There should be a story running soon.

John was able to sit down with a new friend and amazing man of God, DJ, from the Band Doran Robin today and talk about possible future ministry opportunities. This man is truly anointed and has an amazing love for Jesus! 
They will be in concert at Seven Hills Church Nov. 29th for a Christmas show. You have got to hear these guys. And, its free!!! 661 East 24th Street Holland MI.

Thats all for tongiht.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Jesus prayed for unity

This is John posting.

Over the past couple years God has been leading me to unity. This has been something I have been lead away from over the past few months by distractions of the world. God has been highlighting it again and is leading me into studying unity and what that looks like. John 17 is an amazing piece of Gods word. Here, Jesus is praying to God, yes Jesus praying to God for unity within the church. But that is not what struck me. What struck me is why Jesus was praying that prayer. In vs. 1 Jesus states is his prayer to God,

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your son may glorify you."

Jesus knew that the whole purpose of his life and death was to bring God glory. We are to be unified as a church so God is glorified. With that being said, if we are not unified in Christ Jesus, God is not glorified!

I think this may be why God is leading us to relational missions in Puerto Rico. Without relationships how can we be unified as a church? If we are going to fulfill the Great Commission, we need to be unified Church!

I was asked today, "Unified in what?" To that I responded with, "Unified in Jesus." Paul said, I may not know much but I do know Christ crucified and that is what I am going to preach. (paraphrased)
We need to know that as the church we can differ on most things. But we must be unified in Christ crucified, died, buried, arose from the dead and ascended into heaven.

We are the body of Christ. Each one playing a different role, reaching different people. If the arm acted like the foot we would not get very far with eating. We must recognize that God has designed each of us uniquely different, playing uniquely different roles. This may mean that we may differ on our view of baptism, communion, prayer, fasting, spiritual gifts and so one, and that is ok(as long as its not counter biblical). But we cannot differ on our view of Jesus Christ.

Lets unify the church in Jesus and fulfill the great commission together!

Board Meeting In Puerto Rico

Today John got a text from Pastor Leo. They are having a board meeting with the church school in Manati. Pastor Leo and Angeles will be talking to them about the possible job opportunity for him. Please pray for this meeting.

The Journey is about to begin.

A journey starts with one step at a time. Yesterday was a big step on this journey to Puert Rico. God blessed us so much through all of those that came out to support our ministry of  discipleing through relationships. Our fundraiser was a success now on to setting a date to leave.

Some things we missed in sharing last night. John will hopefully be working part time with Pastor Leo's church school doing maintenance work. This is something we are praying about and ask you to do as well. John will remain a full time student at Liberty University studying for his degree in religion. Jennifer will be home schooling the kids which is a whole new adventure in and of itself.

Some immediate needs are going to be: A car, furniture, appliances, income for rent $550/mo.

For those who were not able to make it out to our fundraiser last night and feel led to financially us, you can send your support to Seven Hills Church. Checks made out to Seven Hills Church. Please write Hoogeveen Missions in the memo.
Seven Hills Chuch
c/o Hoogeveen Missions
661 East 24th st. #100
Holland, MI 49423

We are working on a streamline way for people to give monthly.

From here on out this journey begins for you. We hope to share our joy, struggles, laughter, pain, new relationships, and growth with all of you. Not so you see what we are doing but so that God is glorified through us.
We know this is going to be amazing in more ways than one and we are honored to have you with us.
We cannot wait to hear your stories of how you saw God glorified through this ministry.
Our eyes are on JESUS, as we walk into this bold new adventure.
We love you all and cannot wait to share more with you.