As you may know, the most exciting thing going on around here is our trip to “My Father’s House”, and orphanage in Whitehouse, Jamaica. We are super excited about this trip.

I (connie) have never been on a missions trip before. Growing up in a relativley poor home left me with a strong work ethic, but a tiny lack of faith in God providing funds for big trips. Thus, i never attempted to do anything i couldn’t earn enough money for. Now, in the past (nine months!) of our marriage, we have seen God provide HUGELY for us in a monetary way, paying outrageous bills, providing new cars (FOR free, twice! Nice cars too, not your typical free car.) scholarships and free groceries, and my faith has been stretched and pulled as i have grown to trust God in this area.

Dereck went on a missions trip to Jamaica when he was a senior in highschool, and it was a huge step in his faith (he also has compared Jamaica with the promise land since everything he ate there was so delicious). -more on that later-

When the opportunity came for us to go with Faith church on this trip, we were skeptical.  A newly married couple that barley makes ends meet, and me being on call all the time, i thought there was no way we could do it. But after Jim Koch spoke briefly one Sunday morning, our hearts were stirred. The more we learned and prayed about it the more we felt the confirmation.  So, we decided to take a leap.  We are going to Jamaica.

And even just planning it has been fruitful!  Talking withPastor Chris we have begun to think up plans for teaching the kids bike maintenance and mechanics, and hopefully leave them with some tools to keep them going.  We will also be helping lead worship and morning bible studies, playing with the kids and helping out around the house anyway we can.  We are very excited.

We do need your help though.

We need people to pray for us. Before the trip, during it, and after as we re-aclimate to our lives in cold cold michigan. If you are able to support us through prayer, we ask that you please click on the “pray” tab at the top of the page and leave a comment letting us know of your support.

We also have a great financial obligation for this outreach. The cost of this trip is $400 (which goes directly Our Father’s House) and $600 for airfare, for each of us (a total of $2000).  If you are able to support us financially, please see the “giving tothe trip” page (tab located at the top of the page) for more information.

We do trust fully that God will provide for us during the next few months, and that he will bless us in an amazing way during this trip.

Thank you so much for being a part of this team, and make sure to book mark this page and keep coming back for updates, stories and pictures.  Also, check out our blogroll where you can visit  My Father’s House website, Dereck’s personal blog,  mine too, and lots of our friends!

welcome home.

i promise to write tomorrow. its true. cross my heart and hope to die. right now i have to go make cashew butter cookies. have to. sorry.