Easy to Say, Hard to Do, and Sometimes Even Painful

So this week has been quite a tough one for me. Between feeling out of place, longing to be in africa, and trying to find contentment in where God has us right now, I feel like i'm in an emotional whirlwind. I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this period of waiting. I know the Lord led me to 2 Thes. 3:5 "May the lord lead your hearts to a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ." I am always praying that the Lord teach me to love the way He does and now I see that God's love and patient endurance, or as I would say, patiently waiting, go hand in hand. How long did the Lord patiently wait on me to give my life to Him? How much patience does He have with me as I make mistake after mistake? How often does He forgive as I continue to sin? His patience never ceases to amaze me and I know He promises to wait on us forever, for He will never leave us or forsake us. And then when I was feeling little contempt for the waiting process I came across a scripture that read something a little like "does the clay pot argue with its maker?" This actually makes me laugh just because I love how the Lord can put us right in our place when needed. So, I know we have put our lives in His hands and God is in control, molding, making and preparing us for the future. As Pastor Neilson (from Sweden) said last weekend at church, speaking on the story where Jesus calms the sea, Jesus said they were going to the other side! It doesn't matter what comes along in the process, it won't stop you, YOU ARE GOING! But at the same time, we must take and learn what God is giving us now, not waiting to live. What can I do with what is in my hand right now? Jen

We're Home

So we're home from Africa and I don't know where to begin. The trip was sooo exciting and yet so overwhelming (speaking for both of us) as we get home and begin to process what we've experienced. Our team was so great and I miss them all every time I think about the trip. Can you believe 30 people and not one argument or drama? That's a God thing in itself. I know we made some life long friendships. And I can not say enough about the people of Swaziland. They are so open and hungry for love, real love, Christ's love. I experienced so many emotions on this trip, and afterward, with the constant question going through my head of whether or not we may move to Africa in the future. God showed me I really just had to take it one day at a time and focus on the moment that God was giving us and the people He was having us encounter at that very time. I had to make this trip about others and not about myself. Isn't it amazing we can somehow make everything about ourselves? As we get back into the routine of our life, there is one thing I can walk away from this with for sure-- I just want to be closer to my father in heaven. I want to love people the way He loves people and I want to give of myself the way He gave His son. I want Him to teach me and my prayer is that He lead and guide us in all we do.

Trip Blog

We are heading out today for Africa! This is just a quick post to let everyone know about our team blog. This is where the team will be posting almost everyday with updates and pics. Here's the link http://swazilandsummerteam2008.blogspot.com/ Please continue to prayer for us and the team. Can't wait to see what God is going to do.

Why Are We Going?

Need I Say More???

trip anxiety

We are less than 3 weeks before we leave for Africa.  I've been pretty excited about this for a long time now.  Last night we had a team meeting and I think the realization hit me about the challenge and the opportunity we have as a team.  I got alittle overwhelmed just thinking about being the hands and feet of Jesus.  I was thinking I hope I don't freeze up or hang back in the crowd when any opportunity presents its self.  A little fear hit and I then I  thought, wait I believe that Jesus is the King of Kings, what do I have to fear, I(we) can do all things through Christ who strengthen us.  Please continue to pray for our team because we have a great opportunity to make an impact.

Its About The Children

one hundred pushup challenge

Today i have taken the plunge to do the one hundred push up challenge. Who else wants to join in? I think this is going to help me in the commitment department, if you know what I mean

Thank you!!!

Thank you to all our supporters for your contributions and prayers. Friday was our deadline to turn in the last of our money and we were able to pay every last penny! We could not have done it without you and of course God had it all under control. In fact, as we were preparing to turn the money in, Kevin told me we needed $270 to reach our total. What Kevin didn't know is I had spoken to a dear friend and supporter, a couple days earlier, who was sending in a check for that exact amount! It's so awesome to know that God really is in control and taking care of the details of our lives.

Pictures (Because I Can)

Christy, Baker, The girls and the ferrets Lily and Gabby with the ferrets named Lily and Gabby (who turned out to be a boy) Lily's last game The two moms in my life Gabby and Noni at Mother's Day Tea Steel's suckers! Gabby and friend Steel Lily's birthday at the Cinderella Ballet

Jambalaya=Africa

We recently had a Jambalaya sale at Wal-mart to raise money for Africa! A friend of my Dad's, Mr. Greg Standfill, cooked the Jambalaya for us along with his son-in-law, and let me just say, this guy is a competition cooker. It was so good! Not only did he cook, but him and his wife also donated all the ingredients. What a blessing!

Graduation--So Worth It!

So we graduated a couple weeks ago from our first year of Elevate School of Ministry. It was an amazing year! God really stretched us, changed us and revealed so much to us. It was not easy at all but He never left us and gave us all we needed to get through it. And the kids made it too! They were right there beside us the whole way through- bringing blankets to the homeless, giving groceries to the needy, helping set up at church before anyone else gets there, meetings with worldwide missionaries and all! I thank God He gave us the grace to do it all. There is one thing that stands out over the year, though: At graduation, as Michelle listed all the different things done by interns this year, which included bringing a friend to church. I have a lifelong friend-I mean one I've known since we were literally babies. She moved away when we were around 10 but we always kept in touch and I used to visit her during summers. She is probably the funniest person I know ( one reason I love her so much) and always living life for the moment. Within the past few years we had kinda lost touch and I knew she was going through some rough times. Her mom let me know she was coming in town this past October. We got in touch, spent some great time together, and I invited her to church. I prayed and prayed that a seed would be planted. A couple months later I received a letter in the mail from her saying she wanted to put God first in her life and run to him with everything! God is amazing! I think, if this was the one thing that came out of this year of sacrifice (although God did so much more), it was so worth it!To know that such a wonderful friend, one that I could never imagine doing life without-I will never have to do life without. That's what it's all about. That one soul, saved for eternity!

Finished Book

I just finished a wonderful book by Melissa Fay Greene, There Is No Me Without You. I recommend this book to anyone who shares a passion for orphans or if you are interested in international adoption. It is also very informative about the AIDS pandemic we are facing in Africa. Makes me want to help even more. Thanks Carol.

Going to Africa!

check out our support letter....maybe you can help

                                             

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know Jennifer had the opportunity to travel 

with a Go Global Missions team to Swaziland, Africa last year. 

The trip made such an impact on her that we have decided to go 

back together in July. Not only will we be partnering with 

Children’s Cup International Relief, but we will also take part in 

launching a Healing Place Church campus.

Swaziland has over 11,000 children living with AIDS and thousands 

more affected by the disease, that has claimed both parents and loved 

ones. As a result, children are left hungry and with no means to pay 

for education or medical care. But, as Jennifer saw first hand, Children’s 

Cup is ministering to these children by providing the basic needs of 

food, medical clinics, and education.

We would be honored to have the opportunity to be part of these 

efforts again and serve the people of Swaziland. We believe in being 

the hands andfeet of Jesus, and we invite you to join with us in 

impacting this community for eternity, either by donation or prayer.

Thank You,

Kevin and Jennifer Jarreau

*Donations due by June 1^st

Please make checks out to

Kevin Jarreau or

Healing Place Church

Mail to: Kevin Jarreau

26072 Big Ben Dr

Denham Springs, La 70726

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress…”

James 1:27

We have finally made it!

we have finally done it.  we have succumbed to the pressure.  WE ARE NOW BLOGGERS....so more to come later