Follow us on FaceBook at Pure Joy International this week for more updates on our trip!
Weekly comments from Vickie Arruda, founder of Pure Joy International. Keep up to date on what is going on in Vickie's life and the life of the ministry
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
York, England – Day 2
We are in York with ALL of our luggage and trunks, God is s good! The team is exhausted after a long day and night of travel but so very happy to be here!
Sharon gave our team devotion at lunch. She told us about John Bunyan who grew up 3 hours from York. Bunyan authored Pilgrams Progress. If you don’t know his story, look it up or better yet read it to your children and grandchildren.
We spent a few hours doing some conference prep this afternoon. Tomorrow after church we will do some sightseeing and learn more about the rich history here.
Pray for the team to sleep well tonight. Continue to pray for the ladies preparing to attend the conference this next week.
In Christ,
Kim Roberson
Public Relations Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Headed to the Airport…
York, England team is leaving the country tomorrow
April 19, 2024. We will arrive in York,
England Saturday 6 hours ahead of CST.
The team will do some sightseeing and get to know each other a little
more before the women arrive for the retreat.
While we are on the field Kim Roberson our Public
Relations staff person will make sure you get some daily updates on the blog
along with some pictures.
Remember, if you have been praying for us, giving,
gifting , helped with anything along the way for this trip you are as much a
part of the team as those of us that will step onto the field in UK.
Pray for safe flights, on time flights, and sweet times
of fellowship along the way tomorrow. Also, pray for us to get the sleep we
need to get on plane to prevent jet lag.
Keep your eyes on the blog this week!
We love you all…
His,
Vickie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HE WAS…
I heard a pastor share this about Isaiah: 53:5
He was wounded (bled outwardly) for our transgressions (sins that are obvious to the eye). He was bruised (bled inwardly beneath the skin) for our iniquities (sins of our thought life, secret sin, etc.).
His blood covered ALL our sins! Once and for all! The work of the Cross is incomprehensible!
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
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