Sunday, February 23, 2020

Portugal Retreat is full and has gone to a waiting list!

We have no more open spots for the Portugal Retreat, and we have gone to a waiting list. Final Registration for waiting list will close March 18th. It is not uncommon for several people to have the chance to move up from the waiting list. So, if God prompts your heart, sign up still.

We still have 43 missionary women sponsored as of this writing. If God moves on your heart to give, please do so. We have 7 left to sponsor. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and scroll down to Donate.

As we continue to prepare for the trip on this side of the world, I am reminded of how important it is to get your brain to take a breather. If I can possibly get my brain to take a breather. Ha,ha,ha,ha  
Just to show you how on task it can be: Many years ago, when I first got out of graduate school, I was a therapist in a group home setting for kids that were In Need of Treatment (INT). Most of these kids dealt with different levels of mental illness, such as, bi-polar, schizophrenia, major depression, etc. One particular day a young man that was a resident there decided he did not want to go to school that day. I explained that was fine, but he would be confined to his room for the day since he was so sick (his reason for wanting to stay home).

He was not happy about being confined to his room. In the meantime, I got up to go to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I walked out the door of the office, he kicked me from the side across my jaw and knocked me out. The next thing I remember I was lying under a big light in the emergency room at the local hospital with a cracked skull and a concussion.

The house staff told me the following when I returned to work a week later. They said I got up from the floor that day when I came to and went back to the young man’s room and said, “(his name) that type of behavior will not help you get what you want” and  then returned to my office. One of the house parents stuck her head in and said, “Vickie, do you still want a cup of coffee?” To which I responded, “who’s  Vickie?” She said, “you are”. To which I responded,  “I am?”

It was at this point I suspect she thought, “Houston, we have a problem.” Ha,ha,ha,ha

So, maybe my brain will take a breather and maybe it won’t. I can only hope! Ha,ha,ha

In the meantime, please continue to pray for all things Portugal. Pray for the missionaries coming, the team going, the prayer warriors at home, the prayers warriors overseas, those making gifts, those writing encouragement notes, those giving towards the last 7 missionaries to be sponsored, for the messages being prepared, testimonies, the worship being prepared, etc., etc.

Love you all and so appreciate your love for the ministry of Pure Joy International.

His,
Vickie

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Lots of Flu Going Around…

Not sure how things are in your part of the world, but the flu is taking over here in Arkansas and obviously lots is going on with the Coronavirus around the world. I personally have been isolating myself due to some surgery coming up in the next couple of weeks. It’s really been nice. I didn’t realize I needed the isolation so much. (ha,ha,ha) But, for the last couple of weeks I have lived between our home and my office, which is only about a quarter of a mile from our home. My longest trips away are to my Aunt Myrna’s and to our ‘Portugal Prayer’ time at my home church 25 minutes down the road once a week.

Speaking of Portugal, we have 46 missionary women signed up with 4 spots still open. Please get the word out!  Also, thank you so much for your missionary support for this trip. We had 3 more missionary women sponsored last week, which brings us to only 7 more needing sponsorship. Thank you all, as you continue to give.

May I leave you with a word picture from Deuteronomy? God is addressing the children of Israel.
His Word says…
Deuteronomy 11:8-12 (ESV)
“You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey. For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it, like a garden of vegetables. But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."

Did you catch God’s promise of provision when we obey His commands? We will have strength to do what He has called us to do. Forget your past (Egypt), where you did things in your own strength. He will make provision from heaven. He will take care of that which He has provided for you because He cares for you!!!!

Never think that our God is an uncaring God. He loves you! Trust Him!

His,
Vickie