JUSTICE FOR ALL NEWSLETTER
April 2008
Jan-Feb-Mar Work Projects Ministry
Over the past 3 months, 91 volunteers shared 125 weeks of service participating on various JFA work projects. Each one could share wonderful stories about their experiences, recalling blessed memories of the time spent at one or more of the ministries JFA teams served with. Their stories would reveal hearts that were changed: hearts that have been enriched through new friends, hearts humbled as stereotypes and prejudices crumbled, hearts transformed by new understanding of God’s Kingdom here on earth, hearts grateful for one’s blessings but convicted of God’s call on their lives, skills, and resources to be used to serve ‘the least of these’. Thank you to each one who served with the work projects ministry! You blessed
Resplendor da Vida Orphanage/Harvest Hands - Juarez, MX
EXCEL Ministry -Okolona, MS
EXCEL Ministry-Calhoun City, MS
EXCEL Ministry—Morton, MS
Voice of Calvary Ministries - Jackson, MS
Salama Ministries & Institute - Nashville, TN
John M Perkins Foundation - Jackson, MS
The Mendenhall Ministries - Mendenhall, MS
Though much was accomplished, for which the ministries are very grateful and blessed, it doesn’t begin to tell the story of the deeper, eternal blessings that occur during these weeks—like sitting with Rev Perkins or Stan Weber for an early morning Bible study, or having a sing-along with Arthur at the Voice of Calvary Fellowship Church, or a Catholic Sister (Sister Liz) and a CRC Elder (Tom) leading a worship service together in Okolona, being prayed over by Pastor Nacho in Juarez, MX in a language most didn’t understand but with more passion than one has ever experienced and being moved to the core by the Holy Spirit, and the list goes on and on.
The ministries with whom we served have expressed how blessed they were to have JFA volunteers with them—not only for the quality and amount of work they accomplished—but even more importantly for the love, friendship, and encouragement they share with them each time they come. But our wise and gracious God blesses us as well by gently nudging, stretching, teaching, and showing us through these ministries what His Kingdom really is all about.
Pray for these ministries. Each faces its own challenges as they serve day to day in their community or neighborhood but each can testify as well to the victories that God brings through their faithfulness of being His hands and feet to people in need!
Please lift up in prayer Jeff Folkerts, Jon & Lori Bakker, & Luke Wielinga. They all were JFA volunteers from our area and their work project experiences were part of God’s calling on their lives to long term ministry. Jeff now serves with VOCM of Jackson, MS; Jon & Lori serve with Habitat for Humanity & Mission First, also of Jackson; and Luke has just relocated to the farm at The Mendenhall Ministries. rom our area and their work project experiences were part of God’s calling on their lives to long term ministry. Jeff now serves with VOCM of Jackson, MS; Jon & Lori serve with Habitat for Humanity & Mission First, also of Jackson; and Luke has just relocated to the farm at The Mendenhall Ministries.
VOLUNTEER'S Reflections:
"The faith of those we served and worked with was truly an inspiration”
“I came home with a new sense of what the Lord is doing through His people.”
“I was humbled, I went because I thought I could help others, but I was blessed beyond any measure of what I could have done for them.”
“This week helped me re-evaluate my priorities. It has changed how I will live each day.”
“I have new friends that will last a lifetime.”
“I really appreciated the speakers and devotions we had. It has given me a fresh new insight on the Word of God. I feel like I have really grown spiritually.” ed how I will live each day.”
“I have new friends that will last a lifetime.”
“I really appreciated the speakers and devotions we had. It has given me a fresh new insight on the Word of God. I feel like I have really grown spiritually.”
Update on 'Beans for Mexico' Project
In January, 15,000 lbs of pinto beans were purchased because of the generous gifts of some area churches and individuals and delivered to Harvest Hands Ministries of Anthony, NM. Harvest Hands carries out their ministry through Christian indigenous leaders in and around Juarez, MX. These beans will be distributed throughout the coming year to needy families 4 lbs at a time. JFA volunteers had the privilege to take part in one of the first ‘dispensias’ of the year. Along with the beans, rice, and flour that are given to the family, we asked them if we could pray with them. What an awesome time it was! God used the time to bless the families of the colonia with food, but these brothers and sisters in Christ blessed our hearts through their testimonies of God’s provision in their lives! We also rejoiced with those who accepted Jesus into their hearts and homes for the first time.
Along with the food, we distributed Christmas gifts to the children at school and blankets to homes in the colonia. Both of these projects were also love gifts from churches in our area!
THANK YOU to all who were part of these wonderful projects!
Warehouse Ministry Update
Since the first of the year, 13 semi loads of goods have been delivered to 9 ministries in Kentucky, Mississippi, & New Mexico!
That takes a lot of work, and this ministry can only be accomplished because of the many hands and hearts of our volunteers who desire to serve through our warehouse ministry! Over 5,000 hours of volunteers hours have already been logged for 2008 and that does not even include the time of the volunteer drivers that deliver the loads!
THANK YOU
Volunteers— Many helped sort, unload, load, pick up, watch trailers—so much goes into getting a load of goods delivered to a ministry. They in turn will use it to bless the area, community, or neighborhood in which they serve those with needs.
Drivers—Jr & Carol Vant Hul, Wil Franken, Duane Van Veldhuizen, Ivan Schelhaas, Randy Swier, Mark & Deb Vant Hul, Don & Rena Cannegieter. This is a wonderful gift to JFA and if anyone else in the trucking business is interested in helping us out please contact Corwin at JFA (712-476-2804 or corwinw@jfa-nwiowa.org).
Each truck is loaded with thought and care as closely as possible to the specific needs requested from each ministry. In this way, the blessings can be increased and our prayer is that a each load will bring about a sense of our love for them and our desire for the dignity of the people in the community.
FYI:
Update on Capital Campaign—Half-way there!
Last fall the Board of JFA brought a Capital Campaign proposal to the JFA Society. The campaign consists of three parts:
1) Redo our present parking lot. We hope to make it larger and create a drive through to eliminate backing up.
2) Purchase land across the street from the Ministry Center where we park our trailers.
3) Enough to cover the first years salary & benefits for a Development Director.
The total cost of these projects is $190,000. The response so far has been very encouraging, we have about half of that amount in cash and pledges. If you would like more information or would like to contribute, please call Pastor Dan at 712-476-2804 or email dandg@jfa-nwiowa.org. Better yet—stop in and pay a visit!
JFA needs volunteers! There is always lots of work to do. If you would like to help out come any time during the day and if you would like to schedule a group at night please give Pat a call at JFA. We would love to see or hear from you!
JFA needs Prayer Warriors! If you would like to receive the monthly prayer calendar please call Pat at JFA. Prayer is a very important way to support JFA ministry! You will also be updated each month with upcoming JFA activities & news on the back.
In Loving Memory……...
DONOR: IN MEMORY OF:
Joan & family, many, many friends Wally Caswell
First Reformed Church—Hull Hilda Ten Haken
Anonymous Gertrude Blankespoor
Henry & Joyce Dykstra Nettie Mars
Bev Olson Roy Olson
Leona Noteboom & Family Peter I. Noteboom
In Honor of……….
Bernie & Lorna Reinders 50th Wedding Anniversary of Ken & Ladonna Huisman
John & Eleanor Vonk 50th Wedding Anniversary of John & Gert Aberson
Jeff De Kraker Maynard & Lucille Van Noord
Greg & Sue Santema John & Joyce Santema
Bernie & Lornie Reinders 50th Wedding Anniversary of John & Sharon Vreugdenhil
JFA is very grateful for these love gifts! These lasting tributes affirm & support the ongoing ministry efforts of JFA to serve, empower, & encourage the ‘least of these’ for Christ’s sake.
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