Quote of the Week

Our quote this week comes from Canadian pastor Oswald J. Smith.  Dr. Smith was a huge proponent of the missions movement.  These words may sound extreme, but are in line with stats showing that 40% of the world's population live within "unreached people groups." An unreached people group is one that has such a low percentage of Christians that it is unable to reach itself with the Gospel.

"We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first." 

Oswald J. Smith

Oswald J Smith

  

Communication

This past week, Vanessa had her first opportunity to teach in one of our schools.  Over the next couple months, she will be teaching from time to time in our phase 2 training about communication.  This will cover all forms of communication; spoken, written, visual, etc. I talked to several students after Friday's class and they all gave rave reviews.  I'm so proud of Vanessa stepping up and using her gifts to help others grow in that area. 

Phase 2

This week our summer Phase 2 kicked off.   Phase 2 is a secondary training we offer here at YWAM Jax Beach that mixes our staff training with intense leadership training.  We're looking forward to seeing what Father has in store for these 17 students.  Many hope to come back and join us on staff, and others will be participating in the School of Frontier Missions that I will be leading this fall.  Please keep them in your prayers over these next eight weeks.

Some of our Phase 2 students

Quote of the Week

Our quote this week comes from our old friend C.H. Spurgeon.  I love how he just says things without sugarcoating them.  I want to clarify though, that to me, this response he speaks of should not be driven by a sense of duty.  Rather, it should be an overflow of our gratitude and love for all God has done for us through Jesus.

"If He gave His all to me, which was much, should I not give my little 

all to Him?" - Charles Spurgeon 

Charles H Spurgeon

Thanks

Today I want to say a big thank you to everyone who plays a role in what we do at YWAM Jax Beach.  Especially those who support the ministry through financial support and prayer.  We could not do what we do without you.

Family Time

I love what we do here in Florida and enjoy our life here, but there's always something special about visiting "home." Home being the place I grew up and being able to spend time with siblings and, as time goes by, nieces and nephews.  This past trip to Michigan, it was so great to see Lyla and Sage interacting with their extended family.  I think one of the benefits of living so far from family is that we're not able to take for granted the ability to spend time with family.  As we began our drive back to Florida we discussed our individual highlights from the trip.  When it was Lyla's turn to share, I expected her favorite part of the trip to have been attending a parade, having a sleepover, or something along those lines, but her answer surprised me.  She said, "My favorite part of our trip was spending time with grandma."  I love that my children treasure time spent with family.

Quote of the Week

Our quote this week comes from Robert Shannon.  This speaks to me because many times I think people feel bad for people working in missions.  There seems to be an idea that missionaries are missing out on a "normal" life, or are sacrificing the good life to suffer in a third world country.  So, hearing things like this encourage me.

"Never pity missionaries; envy them. They are where the real action is - where life 

and death, sin and grace, Heaven and Hell converge." - Robert C Shannon

Sage Jennie

Last night we made it safely back from Michigan.  It was a great time seeing family.  The girls loved spending time with grandpa, grandma and cousins.  I'll share more later, but for today here are some pictures from a photo shoot Sage did with my sister Faith.

Ten Years

Today marks Vanessa and my 10 year wedding anniversary.  These past 10 years have been an incredible journey filled with many joys, some sorrows, and incredible memories.  To even begin to jot some of them down would fill this page beyond readability.  Instead, here is a visual journey of us through the years.

The first photo of us - not even dating yet

2003

Our Wedding

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Current