Vickie Standing at the Middle of the Earth

 
Hey guys, thought you might like to see Vickie standing at the Equator. This was taken on Tuesday as the Quito Team did a little sightseeing in the area. Today we begin to prepare for our dear missionary women to arrive. Will post updates as we can.

Quito Here – Costa Rica not far away!!

It’s time, final packing is done, and in the morning we board the plane to Quito. We want to thank all individuals and churches that have been a part of preparing for this opportunity to minister to the women missionaries in Quito Ecuador. As we go we recognize that we are just an extension of your kind hearts and generosity.

Please remember, those of you that are registered as Friends of Pure Joy, that the schedule for the trip is posted in the Friends Area. If you are not registered please take a moment to do so now so that you can keep up with us through e-mail updates. We are counting on your prayers as we journey in the Name of the Lord.

Even as we are in the midst of God’s plan for Quito we are beginning to plan for our trip to Costa Rica in February. Our theme for the Costa Rica Retreat is “You’re in the Army Now” and our verse is Proverbs 4:23 which says “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” We encourage you to be diligent in reading the blog so you can be a part of watching the Costa Rica team come together. We already have several missionaries signed up and two sponsoring churches, Evergeen Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK and Eastside Baptist Church in Ft. Smith, AR. However, if you would like to give to help offset retreat expenses please visit our donation page to get for details about doing that.

The next time I talk to you will be from Ecuador!!!

His,
Vickie

The One Left Behind

My name is Melinda Emerson. I live in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and became acquainted with Vickie and Pure Joy in the fall of 2005 preparing for a retreat in Jordan.

I am a doodler by trade and design Molly graphics by assignment. When I was called about joining the Quito team this past summer, I was in the throes of my middle son’s wedding preparations (my husband, Steve, and I have 3 sons). The day after the wedding our oldest son left for seminary in Louisville, KY, and 2 weeks later our youngest left for college.

In the midst of all this, I was emailing back and forth with Vickie on theme ideas … and a picture to help communicate it before we settled on the final picture. I was continuing to pray about God’s will in my going on the trip … My first reaction to any mission trip (especially a Pure joy retreat) is YES, FUN … but I wanted to be sure that it was God’s idea, not mine. I always make plans to GO until God says STOP.

Steve and I had been training to hike the Grand Canyon for the last 7 months. We took off down the mountain on September 9 and it was amazing. Talk about praying without ceasing. I talked to God for three days while living in His glorious creation! I couldn’t wait to share this adventure with the ladies in Quito! We camped out under the stars two nights and on the third day made our way out of the canyon. (let me preface this to say I am not an outdoorsy type of gal and the only tent experience I had was when Steve popped it up in our bathroom and said, “can you fit?”) So this was huge for me.

We went to find something to eat and headed out for a visit with my family in Durango, Colorado. We made one last stop in the park to take a picture and as I walked across the parking lot I slipped on a rock and fell … and broke 4 bones in my foot! Well, talk about a prayer answered with no doubts. But as I talked to God about it all – my disappointment, etc – I felt such a peace. I knew it was not my time.

I continued to work on the art work for the trip and as I set with my right foot in a cast, unable to drive, I worked over the list of ladies who would be attending the retreat. I prayed for each one and, even though I won’t see their faces, I love their hearts.

While praying with the Jonesboro team this week, I was reminded of Moses and how Aaron and Hur held up his arms when he was too tired and the battle was raging. It is the responsibility of all of us staying behind to continue to lift the arms of these ladies going on the mission… they will be tired but the battle will be won!

Most of the team has been at our home this weekend, packing the crates for the trip. Our playroom looks like a store with all the presents and treats so many of you have donated. The missionary women are going to be so excited to see gifts picked out especially for them! Thank you for your generosity. The team will return here next Sunday for their last night before leaving on Monday. Pray for them that they get lots of rest this week because the next will be busy.

I almost feel like Moses when he stood on Mount Nebo (where we actually got to stand in 2006) and couldn’t go into the Promised Land. God is good … and I’m learning to “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7

Thanks for letting me share my heart…

3 Weeks and Counting...

Hope this blog finds each one of you doing well and experiencing Jesus second by second. Things are getting serious around here! We are having our final team meeting this Saturday with all the ladies that live near by. Our next time together will be for packing purposes and the next will be because we are heading to the airport in Memphis to fly out!

I have been under the weather this past two weeks and ask you to lift my body up in prayer. In November 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. They did a lumpectomy and took out several lymph nodes. In January 2006 I began chemo therapy and finished that in April. In June I began radiation and finished up the end of July.

I laughingly tell my friends I’m dealing with more problems as a result of the chemo and radiation then I ever had to going through the process! Some of that is because I forget my limitations at times. In the spring of this year I took a try at some aerobics offered at our church. The aerobic exercise we did using long rubber bands resulted in me tearing the tissue in my left breast. My surgeon says when this happened, due to the burned up tissue from radiation that all the bacteria in my body threw a party in that one breast! That is one party I wished I had missed!!! The result was that 4 days later I ended up in the hospital for 3 days while they pumped high powered antibiotics into my body by IV and by mouth.

Well, Friday two weeks ago I lifted some bottled water the wrong way and guess what? PARTY TIME!!! Yes, same breast and I think all the same bacteria friends showed up and possibly a few cousins!! Did I tell you I have this problem with forgetting what my limitations are? Ha,ha,ha... Anyway, I was down all last week and have had two serious little visits with the surgeon the past 4 days which have been painful! So painful today in fact, that I think that the procedure did not only help give my breast some relief but I think it might have solidified in my mind that I HAVE LIMITATIONS!!!!

Praise God that He puts people in our lives to help us where we are limited whether it is physically, mentally, spiritually, etc. In conclusion, I would say to you that I used the first incident as an excuse to NEVER do aerobics again and I feel good about that! ha, ha ... When I get through this second incident I will share with you the wisdom I’ve gleaned. I’m thinking it might be something as simple as NOT LIFTING ANYTHING WITH MY LEFT ARM!!!!! Ha,ha,ha

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

It is with great joy and excitement that I write this blog entry. Excitement because it has been an absolute JOY to read the blogs that the team has been posting this week about their individual journeys to be on this team. Imagine, that could be you some day! Talk with your Women’s Ministry leader and or Women’s Mission Union Leader about possibly being a sponsoring church for future retreats. Also, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that every time one of you sends us a check to sponsor a missionary my heart skips a beat!! Thank you for being a part of this journey for God’s kingdom!

Well, I have an absolute blessing I want to share with you today. I have asked Don to allow me to post this today because I want you to understand that when we take a woman on board as a member of a particular trip we realized we they are leaving husbands and children behind just as are the attending missionary women. That is why we pray for the husbands and children of the team members and attending missionaries. Yesterday I received the following note from one of our team members’ husband. It so touched my heart that I asked him to let me post it. He agreed, if I’d check the spelling! Ha,Ha,Ha Praise God that Techno Barbie is checking for all of us!!

Enjoy because I know I did……

Hi Vickie:

I'm Don Jenkins, Mena's husband. I have not met you, but I'm looking forward to that day.
I'm so thankful God has allowed you and Mena's paths to cross. I have never in our 42 years of marriage seen her so excited about the team trip to Quito. I firmly believe God has used you in inviting her in taking this trip, which will change her life forever. God has placed upon my heart to say THANKS.!!!!!!!!!! These are exciting times because we continue to see more clearly why God has brought us back to our home roots. These last three years have been the most exciting days of our Christian walk.

In addition, thanks for the prayers of the team members during the last two days during surgery. We needed it. She came through with flying colors. I can say all that with ease because she did all the suffering. She is doing find but continue to pray for full recovery. She still plans to make the NY trip however; we will see what the next few days allow.

Please know I have been praying for the team and will continue until your return. My prayer for this day is Ps.32:8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye". May God bless you and have a great day. DJ

Be Careful What You Pray For !

Last year I had a daughter get married in December and the other daughter graduated from high school. I was studying for a teacher’s test and teaching 5th grade. What a year! God was faithful, and I knew I couldn’t have done it without Him. I’m taking a break this year from teaching, and have the “empty nest”. So, when Wendy called and asked me about going to Ecuador I was very excited and a little overwhelmed. I feel like God is in this for me to go. I had been praying about something I could do for Him. They say be careful what you pray for. There you go!

In Philemon 20 Paul is encouraging Philemon’s obedience. He says, “Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord, refresh my heart in Christ.” This is my hope and prayer, that the Lord will use us to refresh these women. Please pray for my fundraising. I know the Lord will provide if I’m to go.

Gratefully yours, Marla Fergus

Nicki Bartlett's Calling

In the last few months my heart has been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit instilling within me, to the point of pure anxiety, to go on another Women’s Retreat, mission trip. The reason for the anxiety, I was not aware of any future plans for another mission trip.

Well about 4 weeks ago, after a Sunday morning service at church, Vickie Arruda approached me, inquiring if I was going on the Ecuador mission trip in November. My prayers have been answered. It’s all in God’s timing. Hallelujah!! And Praise God!!

I can’t wait to meet and hug on all of the missionary women. Even though I have not met any of them yet, I feel like they’re all in my heart already covered in sweet, love.