About 2 months ago we moved our blog to “Blogger” (this site). Well, we have moved again (we’ll stay put this time we promise). We decided to move to “WordPress” because it offers much more customization. It also allows me to post more easily from my phone which is great for times that we are not at a computer. So, I hope that you don’t mind the move. (You can check out our new blog at ccjaco.wordpress.com). For your convenience, I have imported all our “Blogger” post from the last 2 months into the new blog. Please bookmark the new blog address for future reference. Look for some more updates to be posted very soon and thanks for your support.

In His Grace,

Mike

CCj Now: We've moved our blog. (Yep, again!)

Lawrence Missionary Page

We have had a crazy week this week and would appreciate your fervent prayers!!  Because our language school is full of "gringos" studying Spanish it has always been a target for robberies and assaults.  When we arrived in January, we had about 3 weeks of "caution" as there was a series of armed robberies committed against different friends from our school including one in our front yard.  Well, in the past two days there have been 3 armed robberies near our school in our neighborhood, 2 during the middle of the morning and one in the evening.  Only one guy was shot because he tried to resist and fight off the robber, but his wounds are not life-threatening.  The other two were females and had their backpacks and id's stolen.  We are not living in fear because we know that the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear--but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).   We also have the promises of the Lord from Psalm 91 which says "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'  v9-11 If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the Lord, who is my refuge--then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..."  What an awesome promise of God--as we dwell in the Lord--rest in Him--He will protect us and we have no need to fear.  

We are not living in fear, but each time these things happen our awareness is heightened to a new level and it is exhausting at times.  We would just ask that you pray for:

**those who have been robbed

**our safety and the safety of all of the residents in our neighborhood

**the robbers and their salvation

**that we would be the light of Christ to all who are around us!!! 

We love you and thank you for serving alongside us for the Kingdom!

The Barretts in Costa Rica: Please pray!!

Barrett Missionary Page

Our Youth group planned a trip to visit our friends in Venihorodka 3 hrs away. The church purchased a rundown dormitory from a closed sugar factory a while back. Their desire is to have kids camps in it and use it for the glory of God. The building is in desperate need of repair and there is lots of work needed. We planned a 2 1/2 day trip to serve and help clean the building in preparation for a kids camp in Aug. We joined our friends and and geared up for the big tasks ahead. The days were spent sweeping, patching walls, painting doors, drawing murals, cleaning carpets and landscaping. I shared about servanthood and that we work as though we are working for the Lord not as unto man. It was great to see the students in action...they did a great job. We spent the evening at a local quarry that has been turned into a lake. Never thought I would be able to pile 14 people into my 7 passenger van...new record! We enjoyed swiming and cliff jumping. We came back to camp and spent the rest of the evening around a campfire eating sala, and singing worship songs. Looking back I was truly blessed to serve alongside these hard working youth. My prayer is that their relationship with God will continue to deepen and they will see some of the fruits of their labors on the kids faces next month. Those students who came to serve will also next month be counselors so teaching them servanthood before leadership is huge.

The Claycamps in Ukraine: Servant Leading in Action

Micah Claycamp Missionary Page

Today we visited another creche (preschool) called Kiddie's Corner. This one met in a much smaller room (about 10' by 10') and had about 20 kids ranging in age from 2-6. Although it was much more difficult to do some of the planned activities, the children had an absolute blast watching the puppet show that the team had prepared. It was so great to watch as one little girl (the one in the third picture) screamed out of pure excitement the whole time the puppets were out. She was absolutely hilarious...wish we had gotten it on video.

KCAfrica: Kiddie's Corner

Kneezle Missionary Page

For the last couple of days we have had a team from Texas (called Field Street) visiting to minister to the preschools in Masi. There are 22 people on the team, so each day they split up into small groups and visit 7 of the different preschools that we work with at Living Hope. The fun part is that we get to go with a different group each day and spend time with the children and the "mamas" (teachers) at each "creche" (preschool). This has been especially good for us because on a normal week the kids come to us at Masi Baptist Church and we do our club in a large room there, so we haven't had a chance to see the actual buildings that the schools are in. The first day we visited a creche called Peacock Educare. There were about 20 children ranging from age 2-4 and three mamas. The team did a puppet show, we colored pictures, the kids learned how to wash their hands, and we sang lots and lots of songs. The children are absolutely beautiful and the mamas were so gracious and sweet. It's so clear that these little ones are such a big part of why God brought us here.

KCAfrica: Peacock Educare Center

Kneezle Missionary Page

Luke 22:31, 32

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

When I worked in Sudan, we bought grain, beans, and rice in bulk; it came in 100 pound bags. The grain was whole. It was bagged up husks and all. I had to have it ground.

The mill was in a hut that was built around a big diesel engine salvaged from some broken down truck. The grinder was hitched up to the flywheel. The grain would be weighed and then ground.

After the grain was ground, I'd deliver to the ladies who worked in the kitchen. They dumped the grain onto a tarp. Another tarp was spread out next to the first, and the grain from the first tarp was held up high over and then dumped onto the empty tarp. The wind would carry away the coarse husks covering the edible kernel, the nutritious heart of the grain.

The process of sifting removes the coarsest part of the grain. What remained was nourishing, filling and satisfying. It was consumable.

There needs to be a process for which coarseness is removed from our lives as well.

Because Peter needed refining, God permitted Satan to sift him.

God brings sifting and testing in our lives to purify us so that He may be magnified in our lives.

God uses infinite ways to test us. The following is not an inclusive list of the tests God will use to refine us by any stretch of the imagination. They are just a few Biblical examples. But God has a never ending supply of ways to refine each one of us for His own unparalleled purpose for our lives.

What is God developing in us as He tests us?

• Submission of one’s will to God’s will (time test)
• Humility (Word test)
• The trying and refining of inner attitudes (character test)
• Increase of glory to God (motivation test)
• Purifying of motives (servant test)
• Deepening of one’s message (misunderstanding test)

Patrick Higgins and family were a hoot to hang out with last week in Vajta, Hungary. Higgins is sent out from Calvary Chapel Redlands and pastors CityLight Christian Fellowship in Bratislavia, Slovakia.

Higgins Missionary Page

This  is Shepherd's Staff missionary Janice Evans. Patrick Kenny and myself got to hang out with Janice in Vajta, Hungary, while attending the Foundations Conference.

Evans Missionary Page

This  is Shepherd's Staff missionary Ken Dinnen. Ken is sent out from Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Patrick Kenny and myself got to hang out with Ken in Vajta, Hungary, while attending the Foundations Conference.

Dinnen Missionary Page

It seems as though I have made it to the surface once again.  When things get too hectic, the only option is to drop the options and unfortunately, due to our difficulties with internet access, that means bogging and updating.  We said goodbye to the team from Calvary Jupiter.  They were here for just about a week, working with us at the house and in the local high school.  We had a great time with them and really enjoyed both seeing some old friends and making some new ones.  It was also great to see what an impact they had at the school...evidenced by the fact that between 60 and 80 people showed up for our youth/skate night...many of them students that don't normally come.  We (Amy, the girls and I) feel refreshed and thankful to have a church that gets behind us in such a major way.  It means a lot to see their care in action.  

We have another team coming in a few days, so I am busy preparing for their arrival.  That means going through budgets, setting up transportation, meals, etc... which can be quite a bit of work.  We are looking forward to AJ Rhodes's arrival this weekend as he is going to help us with the team.  Dexter, one of our local friends, is also going to be a huge help in getting everyone around from place to place.  we'll be working with Ronnie and Tammy, who used to be on our team but are now pastoring the Baptist church.  They ran into a similar problem with their house and we are going to be helping them get ahead in some areas that were stalled.  More to come.  Thanks for following.

4 Cruces: air

Cruce Missionary Page