2021 is Zooming Right Along

I know, cheesy right? Well it’s true. Chloe turned 7 in January, Ethan turns 5 in four days, we are welcoming a new missionary family in 10 days, the school year is coming to an end in 3 weeks, we are launching CASA (Community After School Academy) with the new school year in 5 weeks and we are prepping for NOT ALONE initiative launch this summer. Meg will serve on the school board starting in April for the next 3 years. Oh yeah and I, Jack (not Meg) will turn 50 in April!

We are thankful for all the opportunities we have growing our family, connecting with others in our community, and building into our church family.

Speaking of church family…

Welcome Anderson Family

We are excited to announce the Anderson Family will be joining us on mission. They have been serving in Yokohama, Japan for roughly 18 months and felt called to serve in more rural parts of Japan. After getting to know each other over several weeks via zoom sharing our stories and hearts for Japan, both of our families mutually felt our prayers were answered. This will be a huge undertaking for both families and we welcome all prayers surrounding both our families and our mission.

Christopher, Christa along with their children Alexa, Serena and Kierra are from Nebraska (by way of Texas). Christopher and Christa both grew up in the church. Christopher, having grown up as a pastor’s kid, began serving in both children’s ministry and leading youth for more than 10 years. Christa also started serving early on engaged in teaching, singing and outreach. Both Christopher and Christa are talented in the arts.

They have a passion for building into the youth and will help lead our Kids Ministry. They hope to be part of impacting youth with special needs and hope to foster or adopt in the future.

5 Weeks Until CASA

What all started with recognizing the need in our local school district for more places children can go after school cultivated into an opportunity for our church community to step up and serve by providing a space, a program and people to care for children after school. When the idea of CASA (Community After School Academy) came to fruition and we knew that God was pulling us in this direction, we had our work cut out for us as we had ZERO budget, no outdoor space for children to play (land is scarce and costly), nor the manpower capacity to start this ministry.

With 5 weeks until our official start date, we have a total of 17 elementary age children joining CASA where kids will receive help with their school homework, learn English, enjoy a healthy snack and play. Along with the Anderson Family, we have a Japanese lady in our church community passionate about teaching children to lead CASA (we will intro her in our next update). We secured land to use next to our church home last Tuesday at no cost and we have someone coming out to do some light excavation for little to nothing.

Before our start-date on April 7, we need to erect a fence, resurface the land and order recreation equipment for our CASA outdoor space. This is our biggest expense in which we have yet to secure funding. Erecting a fence, resurfacing the space (or at least part of it), installing recreational equipment and purchasing outdoor games/activities will run a minimum of $10,000.

God has brought us this far using various relationships in our community and new relationships forming and we know He is not done yet. We are confident in His abundance as he brings more workers and investors in the fold to reach the hearts of the Japanese.

If you are feeling led to support our ministry expansion reaching the hearts of Japanese children in our community, you can DONATE HERE. Please write CASA in the comment section.

Thankful in my Brokenness

I just want to express how thankful I am to be connected:

• To God
• To many of you, The Church (Christ-following people)
• My Purpose

Lately, I feel that I have come to a deeper understanding of my own brokenness coupled with the current climate we live in the brokenness in our world is more evident than I have ever experienced in my life.

My brokenness humbles me and draws me closer to the grace and mercy of my loving Father God who redeems and restores me daily.

My brokenness is accepted by the loving relationships God has put in my life, You, Christ-followers, the Church. I am so rich!

My brokenness has deepened my desire to run hard after my God-given purpose and be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever I am, whatever it looks like.

I am reminded that God is in the business of making beautiful things out of brokenness.

God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith.

Joel 2:25

If you are in a season of brokenness, I hope this encourages you.