Tuesday, March 12, 2024

York, England 5 Weeks out….

 

Hello fellow sojourners.  As we continue our preparations for our trip to York, England we are so excited to see what God is up to.  He is already at work among the team as we continue to seek Him for worship music, messages, testimonies, fellowship, etc.

The team members continue to meet weekly to lift all the details of this trip up before the LORD.  It is so exciting when you know that He is directing your path and prepariing the way for Himself to be Glorified.  Thank you Father for allowing each one of us to be a part of this journey. 

Today, I just want to lift up a prayer for all of the friends of Pure Joy International, Retreat Ministry, meaning any and all that have contributed to this ministry in any way.

Father, as you look down on this world and all the chaos you must see, thank you that you also see your children in all their circumstances, joy, excitement, wonder, awe, thankfulness, praise, pain, sadness, loneliness, hurt, anger, unforgiveness, etc.  Thank you that you KNOW ALL, that you SEE ALL, that our PRAISES reach your ears, that our CRIES reach your ears, that you know how to COMFORT us, and when to bring someone along side us and when to let us walk alone until we recognize we are NEVER ALONE.  You are God and there is none like You. So, we bow our hearts to your truth and ways.  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Here is a verse to encourage you.  It is one of my very favorites to remind me to rest in Him.  I love the line “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother”. That line says peace, pure peace to me.

Psalm 131

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things to great and too marvelous for me. 

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.

Have a great week and keep praying for all things York, England!


His, Vickie


Wednesday, February 21, 2024

We have gone to waiting list for York, England

Micklegate Bar is, by tradition, one of the most important, ceremonial entrances to York, through which Kings and Queens enter the city.

In York, "bars" are gates through the city walls and "gates" are streets. It's a bit confusing but you quickly get used to it. The terminology dates from the days when the entrances to York were barred by toll collectors.

Since 1389, in a tradition established by King Richard II, monarchs visiting York have entered through Micklegate, touching the state sword as they cross.

Just wanted to share a little history with you about the area we will be staying in for our York, England Retreat for the missionary women.   We are always excited the women are able to be exposed not only to the refreshing the retreat brings to their body, soul, and spirit but also the opportunity during their free time to visit some of the sights of the retreat location.

We have gone to a waiting list.  But do not let that discourage you from registering.  We have already moved one person up the waiting list to the retreat and it is not uncommon to have several people move up the list before we stop registration completely.  

For all of you that are praying, gifting, giving and going, many prayers are being lifted up for you weekly from team members, prayer groups, individuals, and Pure Joy International ministry staff, Board and Advisors.  Can’t wait to see all that God is up to for our lives.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.   Hebrews 3:13

His, Vickie


Saturday, February 3, 2024

Almost Full…

 

Well, we opened registration last Friday and we have only 10 places left open before we go to a waiting list. So, if you or someone you know is planning  on attending the Retreat in York, England April 24-27, 2024, go to our web site asap to register. www.purejoyinternational.org

We will go to a waiting list once we hit 50 registrants. We encourage you to sign up even if there is a waiting list because the chance that someone might have to drop out before April is always possible.

Our theme for this Retreat is “This World is Not Your Home!”  If, we ever needed to be reminded of that truth from the Word of God it is now. So, make plans to join us as we journey together.

Also, now is the time to start praying for all things to do with our trip to York, England. So, our friends of Pure Joy that journey with us each trip from stateside through Prayer, Giving, and Gifting please ask the LORD how he would have you be a part of this trip.

On a different note, I want to share something with you. During one of my quiet times this past week Exodus 6:9 stood out to me, “So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.”  If you are in a circumstance right now that has you discouraged and faint hearted, please remember God had not forgotten the people of Israel He was working on their behalf for their good and His Glory even though they could not see it or understand it. He is a good God, He is faithful, and He cares for you! Don’t give up, LOOK UP!

His,

Vickie


Thursday, January 25, 2024

York England On the Horizon… Registration Open Now!

 


Please get the word out to all your missionary friends serving in this part of the world. We suspect this conference will fill up fast as we have many serving in surrounding countries in this part of the world. So, go to our web site purejoyinternational.org and register as soon as possible. Remember we go to a waiting list after the first 50 sign up. So first come, first serve.

The dates of the Retreat are April 24-27, 2024. You must be serving cross-culturally with a sending church or missions organization. You must also be able to speak fluent English. No interpreters are allowed due to the distraction.

“M’s” must be able travel to and from the conference themselves. Room and board, and materials are provided at no cost to the “M.”

Please know your team has already begun to pray for you, the retreat, your travels, your family, and ministries as you prepare to join us in April.

If you have questions contact me asap at vickie@purejoyinternational.org

 

Looking forward to our time together…

His, Vickie

 


Tuesday, December 19, 2023

A Child is Born…

 

(note please click on web site version at bottom of this page.)

Luke 2:11-14  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”


As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior let us take boundless joy in knowing God’s Word told us of the coming birth of Jesus in advance through scripture.

Regarding Jesus’ birth—Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 

 Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Please know that God throughout scripture always tells us in advance what He is going to do. The birth of Christ is just one of the many promises God fulfills throughout His Word. Because He is faithful to tell us in advance and then we see it fulfilled in scripture you can take Great Hope in knowing He has overcome this crazy world. The victory is ours in and through Christ!

If you really want to see this truth over and over firsthand purchase a Chronological Bible to read throughout the year in 2024. It is one of the greatest gifts to give others and yourself. The One Year (NLT) Chronological Study Bible by Tyndale publishers September 6, 2022, is a good one.


From Pure Joy International Board, Staff and Advisors


Thursday, November 23, 2023

Giving Thanks…

 As so many of us gather with family and friends in our homes and around tables to give "Thanks to God"  and His many blessings, we at Pure Joy International count all of you that support our ministry through prayer, gifting, going, and giving as true blessings from God in the life of this ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness and blessings over you and your families today and always.

From our family here at Pure Joy International to yours...




Thursday, November 2, 2023

We’re Back…

 

Thank you each and everyone for your prayers while we were gone and for our trip back across the waters.  We all made it home safely Sunday evening.   What a wonderful time we had in the country of Tbilisi, Georgia.  The country is beautiful and the ladies that attended the Retreat were absolutely a “Joy” to the team and the other women attending.  Many new friendships were established, connections made for future time together, the word of God was shared, worship was marvelous, and fellowship so sweet. 

I am attaching pictures to this post as many as possible.   They are random but will give you some idea of some of the things we as a team had an opportunity to see.  One thing I would point out to you that was so much fun to see for me personally was what I thought were candles hanging in store fronts along the way was actually a candy called “Churchkhela” and is a candy treat. You will catch that in the pictures somewhere.  So, enjoy and if you have questions about any of the pictures are comments let us know. 

His,

Vickie

 

Note: Pictures are of sights and team members only.  Because of the sensitivity of where some of our ladies serve, we did not take any pictures of the ladies attending.  We had some ladies that did not make it to the conference because they could not get visas to get in and or were concerned about not getting one to get one back into their country.   But you can know as we do here at Pure Joy International, God had exactly the ladies that were supposed to be there for this conference at this time and season. Again, thank you all for your gifting, going, giving and continual prayer support.  

And thank you to all that serve cross-culturally to make a difference for His Name Sake.