Mission Work
January was warmer than we expected, but it helped a lot with a few projects we had going on. Our donated building arrived! The gentleman that helped drop it off said he would also help to get it on the foundation when it came time to do so. What a blessing! Joel had a meeting with the township guys and they gave the initial go-ahead to get the papers to our engineer! Woohoo!
We also had our first Serve Day and it was a great success! It was a specific project that anyone could sign up for. We had like 35 volunteers and then 8-10 staff members involved. It was a great group of people and we go through 350-400 bags and were able to get 300 bags of nice, clean clothing, shoes, blankets, and jackets out of that clothing trailer, sorted, and awaiting pick up to our local outreach ministries.
One Luv Outreach in Reading, PA used 40-50 bags the very next day and Justin was able to give Hope Rescue Mission in Reading, PA 10-15 bags of blankets and pillows.
Home Life
Jett turned 12 this month! He got to enjoy a birthday lunch with Joel. He really loves shrimp!
Joel and I (Danielle) also got to visit Everglades National Park in Florida for a week. It was wonderful to take some time to rest and see alligators everywhere. Then get to see Mile 0 and the Southernmost Point in the Continental US in Key West, Florida. We also tried fried conch bites, not bad, a little chewy. LOL
We stayed in other people’s campers and it was colder than you would think, but it made it great to go hiking on a trail next to a bunch of alligators sun bathing. We only went 2 miles into a 15 mile loop and we had already counted 12 alligators right on or next to the path. It was really neat, they were not interested in us and we just kept our distance and kept going, most of the time. The alligator in the picture was starting to get a little angry, so we backed off even more. It was also great to reconnect with Joel and work on our marriage to keep it healthy!
Our family day this month was a lot of board games and I got to try out a new one that I got that was about searching for Big Foot and other mythical creaters as podcast investigators. It was a little to difficult to keep up with for the littler ones, but it was great playing with Peyton & Kylie!
Homeschool Corner
Nothing too exciting to report school work wise, we did have an awesome snow day and got to be pulled in a tube, go sledding, and make snow angels.
The stages of planning for next school year are under way, luckily I can just reuse lesson plans from previous years for most and adjust them to fit our schedule. Ace is going to be graduating a little early, he has worked hard and only has to do a 1/2 year in 12th grade. He will have enough credits to graduate!
Upcoming Mission Trips
Mayreau, St. Vincent & The Grenandine Islands
The last week in February Joel and Parker (our 10 year old daughter) will be flying to Mayreau. We will be visiting our ministry friends, Ben & Jess Tangert of YWAM SVG. They run a base down there that focuses on sharing the gospel and their lives with the children and the adults on the island. Joel & Parker love to work with children and will be helping them with their ministry during the week and sharing their faith and love of Jesus. CMTS has helped provide donations to each household on the island over the past few years.
Monterrey, Mexico
April 2nd-April 10th. Around 10 of us (including the students, Danielle/Joel and Ace/Peyton) will be embarking on an adventure to Monterrey to spread the love of Jesus. This trip has been so impactful in the past, and we pray for God to move again on this trip. We have the opportunity to serve the community in the city through local churches street outreach, feeding programs, kids programs, Bible handouts, and more. Please pray for God to open the hearts of the people we meet, for boldness as we share and for the gift of language as they speak a different language than us.
How can I help?
Please pray for each team as we prepare now for each trip. Our family needs to raise additional funds to be able to pay our airline tickets and to cover other costs of the trip. Because of us taking 1 kid on one trip and 1 on another this raises our costs (of course). We need to raise $3000 ($250 has come in since last month so $2750 to go yet, thank you!) We feel strongly that this is the best way for us to train them for a lifetime of serving Jesus and others. Praise God for for these opportunities!!
Prayer Requests
- Support: We are still not fully supported and are actively raising support.
- Homeschool: that is an ever going prayer
- Guidance, wisdom, and discernment as God leads us as we lead the ministry.
- Our smaller family car had the engine blow a piston rod, we need a whole engine repair or replacement. Prayer for finding an engine that is low in miles and affordable and funds to pay for this repair.
Family Needs
Support
We are currently at $1,750 monthly and where we need to be is $3,570. It has been by the grace and provision by God that we are making it. We could really use your help. Prayers and awareness of this need to others is much appreciated!
Here is further breakdown in each category:
Retirement: We are saving up to retire one day and being a good steward with our time in the future.
Misc.: Savings for emergencies and medical expenses like braces and casts. Education and field trips. Fun days with the kids as a family out, date nights with Joel & I (Danielle), and saving each month for vacations.
Transportation: gas, car insurance, maintenance, and repairs.
Living expenses: electricity, propane, internet, cell phones, clothing, food, and household items.
Would you like to join our team? We need your help to continue to accomplish God’s vision for us at the ministry. Would you join us as a monthly supporter so we can continue the work God has started? We want to take you along for the journey and we would be honored to be able to share the experience with you. You would become part of the team and we would share how God is working and the impact it is having on His Kingdom. Please pray and ask God if you should join us.