Our 6-month home assignment is winding down while we're winding up our preparations for our return to Manila June 14. Leaving and arriving doesn't get any easier regardless of which way we're going because our family, friends and colleagues are very precious to us. Friday night Mary Ann and I had a rich time of fellowship with a pastor friend and his wife and Mary Ann's sister and her husband for several hours and afterwards I thought how precious it is to share life together in Christ with like-minded brothers and sisters. Psalm 119:63 KJV expresses how I viewed our time together that evening: "I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts." Friday evening was not an isolated time in that throughout our home assignment Mary Ann and I had been filled with the joy of the Lord as we have had fellowship with like-minded believers in Christ in many places and churches. Thank you for being fellow pilgrims with us. The following are updates for your prayerful involvement.
1. Personal support and car-fund update
As best as we can determine, we are at 90% in our personal support and we're trusting the Lord that He will supply the remaining 10% in coming days. At the end of April, we have received $3,600 toward our $20,000 car project. We are also trusting the Lord for the balance of $16,400 in coming days. When we arrive in Manila, we need to buy a vehicle and if we are short in our car-fund project, we will use savings and any funds that are given will be used to reimburse our savings. We are thankful for each gift we have received as we know it's been given with love and prayer. We ask you to prayerfully consider joining our support team and/or giving toward our car fund as the Lord leads. You can send your gift to the ACTION office nearest you.
2. International Bible Giver's gift
May 19 Mary Ann and I had the delight of attending the monthly meeting of International Bible Givers based in Anoka, MN. I gave a message about the transforming grace of Jesus Christ in the lives of many street children and their families in Manila. IBG, to our surprise, has committed to buy $200 worth of Tagalog Bibles for our ministry, which is wonderful because we're always needing to buy Bibles. We will make this purchase as soon as possible upon our arrival.
3. Camps
Our Honest Hands Discipleship Ministry for former street boys and school drop-outs had a discipleship camp May 23-27 and another will be June 6-10 with ten campers in each camp. From the 20 boys, ten will be selected for our ninth 10-month class which begins in early July. Pray for Carl and LIsa Loewen and Pastor Mel de Jesus as they lead these camps and select the ten boys for our next class.
June 14-17 we will have an evangelistic camp for 60 street boys and girls at Camp Jabez. Pray for our ongoing preparations with participating churches and agencies, the Lord's guidance in recruiting campers, that many campers will genuinely trust Christ as Savior and for post-camp follow up.
This month Working Hands Discipleship Vocational Wood and Computer Tech classes opened with 22 students. We are grateful for adequate funding thus far. Pray for the Working Hands' team as they teach their students what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and learn a marketable skill.
4. Global Day of Prayer for Kids
June 11 our team will participate in a world-wide day of prayer for kids. We will bring several children from our ministries in squatter communities to participate and SITeam will be one of the featured ministries in teaching children about the needs of children in crisis. The venue will be Greenhills Christian Fellowship, our church in Manila, and we are pleased that GCF is hosting this significant event.
5. Mary Ann's Parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary
Yesterday the five Hartzell siblings along with their spouses and many grandchildren had a wonderful time celebrating John and Mary Hartzell's 60th wedding anniversary which is June 23. We had it early so Mary Ann and I could attend. What more can we say other than John and Mary have been a great example of godliness, loving parents and grandparents and we love them dearly. Throughout our 31 years of marriage and 25 years as missionaries they have been a huge help and we miss them dearly when we are in Manila. If you know them, you may want to send them a card of encouragement next month. And even though their physical bodies are slowing down, their walk with the Lord is still strong and they are active in ministry. We want to be like them.
6. "Yes, Lord!" Hard Copy
We will be sending our 2nd quarter "Yes, Lord!" hardcopy newsletter to the printer today and it should be in the mail in a few days. It has amazed us as we have gone around and met people in many places how many say to us that they read and pray through our letters and appreciate receiving them. They are well worth the time and expense in producing because they generate much prayer and resources for the ministry. Thank you very much for your keen interest in our lives and work. You may download our letter tomorrow at www.jeffmaryann.com.
7. Update on my left eye
Last Thursday I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist and she said I have a macula problem which is causing the distorted, smudged vision so she has sent me back to my retina specialist. I have an appointment with her this Thursday at 9am and I ask you to continue praying for recovery and what to do in coming days. It seems that my vision is improving *very* slowly but it is troublesome and discouraging at times. I still cannot drive and it is difficult reading, especially when the lighting is shadowy like in a church. However, I remain grateful for good medical care, the Lord's provision in paying the medical bills thus far, the prayers of many and Mary Ann's help and adaptability.
8. Remaining schedule
We are grateful for the many opportunities we have had to preach, teach in Sunday School, give many ministry presentations in assorted venues and have fellowship over many meals and cups of coffee. The Lord is at work among His people and obedience to the Great Commission remains strong. As we close out our home assignment we have 2 more speaking engagements. June 3-5 Mary Ann and I will participate in Bethlehem Baptist's All Nation's Fellowship retreat at Big Sandy Lake Camp in McGregor, MN. Those attending will be from many countries around the world who are in the Twin Cities for work or school. June 12 we are pleased to return to the Filipino-American Christian Church in Coon Rapids, MN and give the morning message. Pray that we finish well and the Lord will continue to raise up workers, mobilize funds and material resources, stir up people to pray for their missionaries and take seriously their stewardship in caring for those they've sent out from their midst.
9. Danny and Micah Scott's special visit
It was really nice to have Danny and Micah visit us May 19-23. This was encouraging because they wanted to see us before we leave. It is such a delight to see these two young people growing in the Lord and serving Him in their church in Spokane. We want to say the same about Amos even though we didn't see him as often. Having spent extended time with him in March and learn about his involvement in his church in Pasadena as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and mission's committee member was joy.
3 John 4 (NIV) expresses better what I'm trying to say: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Closing:
I've read Philippians 1:3-6 several times recently where Paul in joyful prayer expresses his thankfulness for the participation of the Philippian church in his ministry since the day he founded the church. He also expresses confidence that the Lord will complete His good work in them until the day of Jesus' return. We pray the same for you. We have met so many champions for the Lord and His cause and because of you the kingdom of God moves forward. Thank you very much for your companionship in Christ and life.
Your hands and feet in Manila,
Jeff
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