Easter Sunday, we were privileged to have one of "the gathering's"; it was our first since last September and will be our last for a long while.
These gatherings are times when we invite the East Africa MKs (missionary kids) to our home in Springfield, MO for food and fellowship. We have been doing this since our arrival back in the states in 2001 and look forward to them. It has been part of our ministry to be Aunt and Uncle (family) to the group of East Africa MKs who live in Springfield; most are attending one of the local colleges. Our home was their home with most of them having a key to our home and an open invitation to come over whenever they wanted or needed to do so. However, that ended when we "went on the road" to itinerate and rented out our home.
Well, we are currently living in Springfield again until we finish our itineration and we did not have a service scheduled anywhere this past Sunday since it was Easter. We decided to invite the group of MKs over for Sunday dinner after we had all attended Easter morning services.
It was a great time of food and fellowship; we laughed over shared memories and enjoyed one another's company again. We are proud of our East Africa MKs and truly love them as family; it was great to be together one more time.
Be Blessed,
Joyce Jarvis
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Flipping for Mission
Hello everyone...
It's the eldest daughter chiming in. Since I set up this blog, I figure I can hijack it every once in a while.
For those who don't know, I'm a reporter for KWWL News in eastern Iowa. And yesterday I was able to cover a story near and dear to my heart: missions fundraising.
Through the years I think I've heard everything imaginable when it comes to raising money for missions. Some people take the safe route using bake sales and offerings, while others get a bit more adventurous. I heard about one youth group leader who raised money for Speed the Light by letting the highest bidder name her newborn baby.
Well, two families in eastern Iowa decided to flip a house to pay for their missions trip to Mexico. Click on the video player to watch my story.
Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers. It's comforting to know that even though I won't be on the mission field with mom and dad, there are people who continue to pray for me as I'm separated from them.
God Bless!
Jenn
It's the eldest daughter chiming in. Since I set up this blog, I figure I can hijack it every once in a while.
For those who don't know, I'm a reporter for KWWL News in eastern Iowa. And yesterday I was able to cover a story near and dear to my heart: missions fundraising.
Through the years I think I've heard everything imaginable when it comes to raising money for missions. Some people take the safe route using bake sales and offerings, while others get a bit more adventurous. I heard about one youth group leader who raised money for Speed the Light by letting the highest bidder name her newborn baby.
Well, two families in eastern Iowa decided to flip a house to pay for their missions trip to Mexico. Click on the video player to watch my story.
Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers. It's comforting to know that even though I won't be on the mission field with mom and dad, there are people who continue to pray for me as I'm separated from them.
God Bless!
Jenn
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday thoughts
It is the most sacred season for Christians around the world; it's the Easter season. This is the time we remember the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Good Friday is the day we specifically remember the death of Jesus and all the suffering he endured; it is a sobering and sad day if you dwell on the events of Friday alone. However, as a famous Christian song states, "Sunday is coming". These lyrics remind us of hope in the midst of suffering and loss.
In Tanzania, Easter is known as "Pasaka" and one of the customs is that employers give gifts to their employees. It is interesting to note that they don't have the custom of giving gifts at Christmas but they do at Easter. And, it is the employers (those who have much) who give to the employees (those who have little).
To me, this is beautifully symbolic of Christ (who had it all) giving His very life for lost humanity (those who had nothing).
This week we have been encouraged; we have heard from two churches who have decided to financially partner with us in our ministry to the people of Tanzania. And, we have also been given another substantial one-time financial blessing. We have been concerned with how slowly our pledge support has been coming in. But, in the midst of this sobering reality, God shows once again that He is the God of supply and Hope.
Pasaka njema! (Happy Easter)
Joyce and Tim
In Tanzania, Easter is known as "Pasaka" and one of the customs is that employers give gifts to their employees. It is interesting to note that they don't have the custom of giving gifts at Christmas but they do at Easter. And, it is the employers (those who have much) who give to the employees (those who have little).
To me, this is beautifully symbolic of Christ (who had it all) giving His very life for lost humanity (those who had nothing).
This week we have been encouraged; we have heard from two churches who have decided to financially partner with us in our ministry to the people of Tanzania. And, we have also been given another substantial one-time financial blessing. We have been concerned with how slowly our pledge support has been coming in. But, in the midst of this sobering reality, God shows once again that He is the God of supply and Hope.
Pasaka njema! (Happy Easter)
Joyce and Tim
Monday, March 17, 2008
Shangalia Yesu
Hello, friends.
We did not have services scheduled for yesterday; Palm Sunday and Easter are two dates which missionaries usually are not able to book for a service. That is, of course, understandable; so we were able to attend two different local churches yesterday.
The emphasis at both churches revolved around the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just a week before he was crucified. As I reflected about the triumphal entry of Jesus, I remembered back to the many times in Tanzania when we would watch the people in various churches "Shangalia Yesu" (celebrate Jesus). We would watch people who were poor, sick, and often struggling to survive from day to day worship Jesus with great joy. I remember the African Christians waving palm branches that they gathered as they walked to church on Palm Sunday; they would often begin waving the branches and singing as they drew near to the church. Often, the people would get so swept up in their worship that the pastor or worship leader would have a special way of making the people stop worshiping so they could continue with the service. In one church, they would actually ring a bell to signify that it was time for worship to end and the preaching of the Word to begin.
Tim and I look forward to seeing our African brothers and sisters and joining them as they celebrate Jesus with great joy; we had hoped to be back in Tanzania in time for this Easter season but we were unable to do so. Please pray with us that we will finish our itineration soon and be able to return to Tanzania.
Have a blessed day!
Tim & Joyce Jarvis
We did not have services scheduled for yesterday; Palm Sunday and Easter are two dates which missionaries usually are not able to book for a service. That is, of course, understandable; so we were able to attend two different local churches yesterday.
The emphasis at both churches revolved around the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just a week before he was crucified. As I reflected about the triumphal entry of Jesus, I remembered back to the many times in Tanzania when we would watch the people in various churches "Shangalia Yesu" (celebrate Jesus). We would watch people who were poor, sick, and often struggling to survive from day to day worship Jesus with great joy. I remember the African Christians waving palm branches that they gathered as they walked to church on Palm Sunday; they would often begin waving the branches and singing as they drew near to the church. Often, the people would get so swept up in their worship that the pastor or worship leader would have a special way of making the people stop worshiping so they could continue with the service. In one church, they would actually ring a bell to signify that it was time for worship to end and the preaching of the Word to begin.
Tim and I look forward to seeing our African brothers and sisters and joining them as they celebrate Jesus with great joy; we had hoped to be back in Tanzania in time for this Easter season but we were unable to do so. Please pray with us that we will finish our itineration soon and be able to return to Tanzania.
Have a blessed day!
Tim & Joyce Jarvis
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Michigan trip
Good afternoon, everyone.
We just returned last night from almost a week in Michigan. We had several appointments scheduled around the state and spent time traveling back and forth; we witnessed an accident and barely missed a deer that leaped across in front of us. Again, we are thankful for God's protection as we travel.
During our travels we had the opportunity to spend a day with very good friends of ours that we have known since before our children were born. We met many years ago when we were both pastoring our first church; we pastored the Assembly of God church and they pastored the Lutheran church. We met at a Gideon banquet for all the local pastors in the region and we have been close friends ever since.
They were having a get together and all four of their children were going to be home and they invited us to stop in and visit with them. It was good to see their children and think back over the years our two families have known each other. We have laughed and cried together and prayed for each other for almost 25 years.
We also were able to see Tim's brother and his family; they had one of their daughters who got married in January and the other one will be married next month; it seems like only yesterday they were born.
I am constantly amazed at how quickly time passes! We have been itinerating for about 18 months and still have more money to raise; we are long overdue to return to Tanzania. We feel an urgency to return to Tanzania before too much more time passes and we lose opportunities to reach lost people and do the work God has for us to do.
Please continue to pray for our remaining funds to come in so we can return to Tanzania as soon as possible.
Blessings
Tim and Joyce
We just returned last night from almost a week in Michigan. We had several appointments scheduled around the state and spent time traveling back and forth; we witnessed an accident and barely missed a deer that leaped across in front of us. Again, we are thankful for God's protection as we travel.
During our travels we had the opportunity to spend a day with very good friends of ours that we have known since before our children were born. We met many years ago when we were both pastoring our first church; we pastored the Assembly of God church and they pastored the Lutheran church. We met at a Gideon banquet for all the local pastors in the region and we have been close friends ever since.
They were having a get together and all four of their children were going to be home and they invited us to stop in and visit with them. It was good to see their children and think back over the years our two families have known each other. We have laughed and cried together and prayed for each other for almost 25 years.
We also were able to see Tim's brother and his family; they had one of their daughters who got married in January and the other one will be married next month; it seems like only yesterday they were born.
I am constantly amazed at how quickly time passes! We have been itinerating for about 18 months and still have more money to raise; we are long overdue to return to Tanzania. We feel an urgency to return to Tanzania before too much more time passes and we lose opportunities to reach lost people and do the work God has for us to do.
Please continue to pray for our remaining funds to come in so we can return to Tanzania as soon as possible.
Blessings
Tim and Joyce
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 3, 2008
Dear Friends,
Yesterday we did not have a scheduled service so we attended one of the local Assemblies of God churches; it was very refreshing. Sometimes we go months "ministering" without actually being "ministered to" and you can become very drained. It is important for people to remember and be aware that people in ministry need to hear the word preached just like everyone else; if we don't we can become empty ourselves and have nothing to give to others. Even though we can read our Bible and pray, it is still important for us to be part of a group of believers and to participate in cooperate worship and hear the Word preached. It was a good day yesterday, and I was thankful for the opportunity to "refuel".
Be Blessed!
Joyce Jarvis
Yesterday we did not have a scheduled service so we attended one of the local Assemblies of God churches; it was very refreshing. Sometimes we go months "ministering" without actually being "ministered to" and you can become very drained. It is important for people to remember and be aware that people in ministry need to hear the word preached just like everyone else; if we don't we can become empty ourselves and have nothing to give to others. Even though we can read our Bible and pray, it is still important for us to be part of a group of believers and to participate in cooperate worship and hear the Word preached. It was a good day yesterday, and I was thankful for the opportunity to "refuel".
Be Blessed!
Joyce Jarvis
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