Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
To the Pure Joy Team:
To the team members who taught, led worship, served in hospitality, shared your hearts; to the ladies groups who made and sent all the goodies, to the donors who gave so we can attend, to all the behind the scenes people. To all of you who make Pure Joy and these retreats/conferences happen: THANK YOU!
I praise God for all of the ways you served the LORD through serving us. I’m so grateful to have had mentors come to invest in our lives and I’m so thankful for the money to pay for our hotel room and amazing food (especially in the midst of a terrible gas shortage) and for all of the cute, special, thoughtful, handmade gifts and the chocolate and snacks, Thank you for time to clear my mind, stop, rest, and hear from the LORD. He has been speaking to us so clearly and moving in our lives and I am so thankful. I’ve had this time to process and pray. I’m thankful for good, quality, time with ladies. Thank you so much again for everything. Everything big and small that you did, did not go unnoticed! Your investment in us means so much and I pray God will greatly multiply your ministry and I know eternity is being impacted by your faithful obedience.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Love in Christ,
One of our Kathmandu Missionary women wrote this Thank You card to the Pure Joy Team of Kathmandu, Nepal. As I have said many time over to all of you that pray, go, give, and gift. You are the team! So, please receive this letter as a personal Thank You to you as well. It truly is the church working together for His kingdom purpose.
I love you all,
His,
Vickie
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
Monday, November 30, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
We at Pure
Joy International want to “Thank You” for being a partner with this ministry
year round. Whether we are here in the
states working on preparation for the next trip and or in another country
ministering to our missionary women on their field of service, your prayers, going, gifting and financial
support allow us to fulfill the vision of the ministry He has given us.
May God
Bless You and Yours this Thanksgiving Season,
The Board,
Advisors, and Ministry Staff of Pure Joy International
Monday, November 23, 2015
Day 8, 9, and Home!
I apologize for being behind on the
blog but the time went by so fast as the days folded together with our time
with the ladies. I believe the last thing I shared with you was that I was
getting ready to meet with the single missionaries to just hang out in my room
Thursday night. We had a sweet time and lots of laughter. Friday we continued
with messages from Iva, Debbie, and a testimony from Meleah. The ladies also
shared among themselves about their journey and needs on the field. It is so
awesome to watch them minister to one another. Saturday morning we had praise
and worship which was awesome and a time for them to share with each other
before the close out message. The women were so precious and so full of
thanksgiving for all the prayers from you, support for them to attend, and
gifts. Below are two portions of a couple of emails we have already received
since being home. Remember if you prayed, encouraged one of your church members
to be part of the team, supported and/or made gifts for this trip these letters
apply to you when they say Kathmandu Team. You are a part of what was
accomplished for His Kingdom in Kathmandu.
Dear Vickie and the Kathmandu Team,
I hope you all got home safely and without too much hassle from Kathmandu. It was an amazing 4 days and I feel so encouraged and ‘smiley’ inside! Just what I needed. On the last day of the conference, I woke up singing praise songs in my head which I haven’t done for some time. I feel so blessed and am challenged to rely on God’s promises for me and our family and not try to sort it out my own way. Thank you for all your love and input last week.
I hope you all got home safely and without too much hassle from Kathmandu. It was an amazing 4 days and I feel so encouraged and ‘smiley’ inside! Just what I needed. On the last day of the conference, I woke up singing praise songs in my head which I haven’t done for some time. I feel so blessed and am challenged to rely on God’s promises for me and our family and not try to sort it out my own way. Thank you for all your love and input last week.
Dear Vickie,
What can I say? I have just returned from the retreat you led in Kathmandu and Thank you - seems so inadequate. Really blew me away. I was quite overwhelmed and really very emotional by the outpouring of love and kindness to us. Seeing the video of those beautiful, faithful women - young and old making precious gifts for us - was just amazing. To think that folks I do not know have been faithfully praying for me all this time, from so far away. It is just such a demonstration of God's grace to me - totally undeserved and unearned love. I cannot begin to payback or earn it - but just have to humbly say thank you.
What can I say? I have just returned from the retreat you led in Kathmandu and Thank you - seems so inadequate. Really blew me away. I was quite overwhelmed and really very emotional by the outpouring of love and kindness to us. Seeing the video of those beautiful, faithful women - young and old making precious gifts for us - was just amazing. To think that folks I do not know have been faithfully praying for me all this time, from so far away. It is just such a demonstration of God's grace to me - totally undeserved and unearned love. I cannot begin to payback or earn it - but just have to humbly say thank you.
Hope those encourage you as much as they do us at Pure Joy
International. There will be more that come and I will print as much of each as
I can for you in the next couple of weeks. I would ask one more thing of all of
us. Keep praying for the missionary women in Kathmandu. Keep praying for all
our missionary women throughout the world from all the retreats we have been
able to serve our LORD in being a part of in the past, the present, and those
we will be able to do in the future of the sake of the kingdom. Amen
Love you all...
His,
Vickie
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Day 7 Kathmandu….
As I write these words I am sitting in the sitting area of the hotel with some of the single women that are waiting to go pile up in my room for some special time of discussion regarding being single on the field. They have endured the discussion we have had for married women on the field so this will be their special time.
Today has been awesome. The praise and worship always touches the hearts of the women and is an incredible thing to be a part of. Messages were shared by Deb, Iva and myself today. Pam shared a testimony tonight that was so perfect for these ladies to hear. God is sooooo Good!
We also were exposed to a 5.2 earthquake that took place about an hour north of us. Some of us didn’t even feel the tremor from it, others did. It seems there have well over 450 plus earthquakes since the major quake that did so much devastation in the early spring. Please continue to pray for all the people here as they live with unspoken fear of another big quake.
The missionary women are having a great time and so is the team. Pray we continue to be strong in the LORD as we have 2 days left.
Also, thank you for praying for the hotel staff here. They are doing an incredible job and are the very nicest people and have such great servant hearts.
Keep praying…
His,
Vickie
Today has been awesome. The praise and worship always touches the hearts of the women and is an incredible thing to be a part of. Messages were shared by Deb, Iva and myself today. Pam shared a testimony tonight that was so perfect for these ladies to hear. God is sooooo Good!
We also were exposed to a 5.2 earthquake that took place about an hour north of us. Some of us didn’t even feel the tremor from it, others did. It seems there have well over 450 plus earthquakes since the major quake that did so much devastation in the early spring. Please continue to pray for all the people here as they live with unspoken fear of another big quake.
The missionary women are having a great time and so is the team. Pray we continue to be strong in the LORD as we have 2 days left.
Also, thank you for praying for the hotel staff here. They are doing an incredible job and are the very nicest people and have such great servant hearts.
Keep praying…
His,
Vickie
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Kathmandu Day 6...
The ladies arrived today!!!! They are so exited to be here! Lots of tears of joy as we worshipped together tonight! Lots of hunger for the word of God!!
They are so precious and I'm in my element when I am with my people group! God is soooo good. They are absolutely spellbound by the gifts so many of you provided.
Keep Praying we've only just begun. We only had one black out that lasted long enough to shut equipment down! Ha ha
I'm confident of my salvation at moments like that!
Love you all...
His,
Vickie
They are so precious and I'm in my element when I am with my people group! God is soooo good. They are absolutely spellbound by the gifts so many of you provided.
Keep Praying we've only just begun. We only had one black out that lasted long enough to shut equipment down! Ha ha
I'm confident of my salvation at moments like that!
Love you all...
His,
Vickie
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Kathmandu Day 5
It is already Tuesday night 11:00 p.m. as I write this. For most of you it is Tuesday morning sometime.
Today we finished up some major preparations for the retreat! The preparation time in the states was so tight that we actually set a ministry record for preparation time! Just less than 3 hours! That is a big thanks to all of you back home in how you packaged your stuff and followed all the directions we asked of you. And a big shout out to the Pure Joy Ministry staff for all you did and are doing to work back and forth with us while here!!
Tomorrow the ladies arrive and I'm smiling like a mule eating briers!! Inside and out!!
Pray as we set up a few minor details in the morning before they arrive just after lunch!
We love the Nepalese people. They are so kind and always smiling, even in the middle of their struggles and hard times.
Continue to pray!
Love you all,
His,
Vickie
Today we finished up some major preparations for the retreat! The preparation time in the states was so tight that we actually set a ministry record for preparation time! Just less than 3 hours! That is a big thanks to all of you back home in how you packaged your stuff and followed all the directions we asked of you. And a big shout out to the Pure Joy Ministry staff for all you did and are doing to work back and forth with us while here!!
Tomorrow the ladies arrive and I'm smiling like a mule eating briers!! Inside and out!!
Pray as we set up a few minor details in the morning before they arrive just after lunch!
We love the Nepalese people. They are so kind and always smiling, even in the middle of their struggles and hard times.
Continue to pray!
Love you all,
His,
Vickie
Monday, November 16, 2015
Kathmandu Days 3 and 4....
Yesterday was our first official full day in Kathmandu. Some of the team slept long. Some of the team was up earlier than usual due to new environment.
We had our first Nepalese meal as a team at lunch. It was incredible. Many spices used here. I have not been able to enjoy them yet due to being a little under the weather still. However, believing I will get that chance by end of week. The team went out checking some of the local stores and making plans for gifts to bring some of their family.
This morning the team slept in, had an easy morning and then took off to purchase some of the things they checked out yesterday.
We have had some sweet prayer time, good devotional, and the team is coming together. Please pray for good rest tonight because tomorrow after lunch we begin "retreat mode". We will organize and put together all the wonderful items many of you prepared and donated, as well, prepare our minds and hearts for the arrival of the women Wednesday.
Please pray that God makes a way for all of them to make their arrival to us.
His,
Vickie
We had our first Nepalese meal as a team at lunch. It was incredible. Many spices used here. I have not been able to enjoy them yet due to being a little under the weather still. However, believing I will get that chance by end of week. The team went out checking some of the local stores and making plans for gifts to bring some of their family.
This morning the team slept in, had an easy morning and then took off to purchase some of the things they checked out yesterday.
We have had some sweet prayer time, good devotional, and the team is coming together. Please pray for good rest tonight because tomorrow after lunch we begin "retreat mode". We will organize and put together all the wonderful items many of you prepared and donated, as well, prepare our minds and hearts for the arrival of the women Wednesday.
Please pray that God makes a way for all of them to make their arrival to us.
His,
Vickie
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Days 1 and 2 Kathmandu
Friday we all got out of Chicago on time headed to Abu Dhabi airport. We laid over 2 hours there before leaving for Kathmandu. The team was good and tired by the time we got here. There is something about being in an airplane for almost 20 hours that just isn't fun! Ha ha
The praises...
- We got here with all our luggage.
- We are all feeling well. Yes, I'm feeling better for those of you that knew I was sick!
- The team is going to be just what God had in store for these women. Good bunch of Warriors!!
Please pray we get rest now.
Keep praying!!!
Love You All,
His,
Vickie
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Kathmandu Has Arrived....
We are pulling our tomorrow morning for Kathmandu. To keep
up with us and know how to pray please read the blog daily. I will blog daily
from this point until we are back in the country.
Several
points of prayer:
- Please pray for this team that God has called for such a time as this. The warfare the past week has been incredible. Please pray with diligence.
- They have cancelled all domestic flights out of Kathmandu due to fuel shortage. Pray it doesn’t start to touch the international flights more than it already has. At present, they are giving international flights enough fuel to get to a neighboring country, such as India or China, to fully fuel up to reach the first connecting flight back home.
- Pray for the missionary women to be able to make it to the retreat as well as there is no fuel being giving in Kathmandu and surrounding areas to even buses or taxi’s much less personal vehicles. ONLY GOD!
Lots to do
today so this lets you know we are packed and heading out. Counting on your
prayers and very Thankful!!!!
His,
Vickie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)