To all of our Friends of Pure Joy International, Sponsoring Churches, Prayer Warriors, Financial Givers, Gift Givers, Gift Makers, and Those that Go …
From the
Pure Joy International Ministry Staff, Board, and Advisors…
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Thanksgiving and Excitement ahead…
Thanksgiving is always a wonderful time to give thanks for all our supporters, churches, individuals, family and friends of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry Inc. There is not one part of the ministry God has given us that functions without all of you!!!! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to support the ministry to our missionary /families serving overseas to share the Goodness of the Gospel.
And…..Because you are family
to us at Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry Inc. I want to share some exciting
news with you as we look forward to the future.
In January, of this new year 2025 we will be bringing on board Erica Jude
as Associate Director of Pure Joy International. I
will be introducing you to her sometime within the next 4 weeks. So, keep your eyes on this blog page or PJI Facebook http://facebook.com/PureJoyInternational . Can’t wait for you to hear more about
her and meet her. To be cont’d……….
(smile)
Blessing
to All….
His,
Vickie
Monday, September 16, 2024
Mongolia Registration Is Closed As Time Draws Near…
Registration
for the Mongolia Retreat closed Friday September 13, 2024. The final details of
preparations are happening these last 3 weeks as the Mongolian Team is busy
with each task to be finished out.
It is
with great joy that we have been preparing our hearts for this journey. We are
so excited about the women that will be attending the retreat. Some of them
have joined us before many, many, years ago.
But mostly, we have new faces to meet as well. Thanks to all of you that have been meeting to
pray weekly, praying daily, taking time to do or make something special
for the ladies, women from local churches that have come together to provide
gifts of all sorts, etc. Also, thank you for those that your gift is giving. There
is still time to give towards supporting missionary women that are attending the retreat. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and scroll down to donations for more
information.
Please
keep the team and ladies attending in your prayers. We fly out on Oct. 4, 2024.
Mark that on your calendars, pray our flights go well, and we get there with all
the things we left here with. (smile)
Appreciate
each and every one of you…
His,
Vickie
A thought to ponder by A.W. Tozer:
We take a convert and immediately
make a worker out of him. God never meant it to be so. God meant that a convert
should learn to be a worshipper and after that he can learn to be a worker. The
work done by a worshipper will have eternity in it.
Monday, July 22, 2024
Mongolia Prepares For The Olympics While Pure Joy International Prepares For Mongolia…
Michel Amazonka
The internet has chosen its new favorite national uniform at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics: Mongolia’s.
Featuring intricately embroidered vests, pleated robes and accessories inspired by traditional attire, the country’s opening and closing ceremony outfits have taken social media by storm since being unveiled last week.
The designs are the work of Michel&Amazonka, an Ulaanbaatar-based label producing couture and ready-to-wear garments that “express the essence of Mongolian tradition and culture” in what the brand calls a “contemporary light.” (by Oscar Holland, CNN )
How exciting for our Mongolia Team to see a glimpse of Mongolian culture before we ever step foot into their country. This is a country full of cultural traditions that bring out the beauty of country, colors, and people.
The Mongolia Team continues to work on preparations for our trip in Oct. Thank you already to those that have been praying, giving, going, and gifting as you come alongside us on this journey.
We still have room for more missionary sign-ups for this trip. So, continue to get the word out to your international missionary friends in that part of the world that serve cross-culturally outside their country of origin. Just go to our web site to register www.purejoyinternational.org.
Please pray specifically for the team as they prepare worship, messages, testimonies, hospitality, and other things God puts on our hearts for this particular trip, for this time, and season.
Praying for you our Pure Joy Family and Friends for God to bless you as you have been and are a blessing to us.
His,
Vickie
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Mongolia Registration Open…
Well, it
is official. We have opened up online registration for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. www.purejoyinternational.org The
dates for the Pure Joy International Retreat are Oct. 9-12, 2024. Please remember
we top out at 50 and go to a waiting list. So, first come first serve.
If you have any questions, please contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org
If you know any missionary women serving cross-culturally in that part of the world, please help get the word out. Might want to go to your world map to see where Mongolia is located. (smile)
The Mongolia
Team is already starting to take care of business on this end. If you partner
with us in prayer, gifting, and giving please be praying about how God would
have you participate. Let me know if you are interested in being a part of what
God is doing in Mongolia.
As I
close out this blog post I am mindful of the families that lost a young
missionary couple in Haiti to the gangs this past week, pray for those families.
Also, so many families have experienced loss of homes, loved ones, whole
communities with all the Tornados across the mid-section of the U.S. And do not
forget the land slide in Papua New Guinea that took the lives of over 2,000 this
past week.
In our
recent trip to York, England our theme from there keeps rising up in my soul. This
World is Not Our Home. May we be ever mindful of this truth and stay the course
to keep walking out HIS plans for our lives.
His,
Vickie
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Home again but praying for Mongolia ahead…
First, I want to say thank you to all of you that supported Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry in any way for our trip to York, England.
Then I want to thank Kim Roberson, our Public Relations person, for keeping you all in the loop for the time we were gone. God was as always faithful to accomplish His good will and purpose for the trip. In fact, I suspect several of you have already received some feedback from some of the missionary women. But if not, here are just a few comments sent in…“The conference was such a time of refreshing for me. I have just been through the toughest year of ministry in my life, but God used all of you to help lift my spirits. I am so thankful and grateful that you are allowing God to use you to encourage missionaries on the field.
As I think of you all, I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. He considered these people his partners in serving Christ. He says, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:3-6.”
“The Lord used this retreat to break me in the best of ways and I pray that I go forward walking closer to Him than ever before. I came back “home” to the field more encouraged and focused than I had when I arrived. Your prayers were felt and I’m so grateful for each and every one of them. Thank you for being a part of this retreat and thank you for investing in the life of missionaries on the field. I know that you have, without a doubt, made an everlasting impact on myself and in turn my family and our ministry.”
Those comments will continue to come to us and you throughout the weeks ahead as everyone settles back into their routines. Keep an eye out.
Also, don’t let up on prayers for Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry. Several of the team came back from the trip with a touch of a virus and are just now stepping back into real life. Please pray for all to get well!
Especially pray for our Staff as we gear up for Mongolia in the fall. We are presently trying to lock in a location for the Retreat. Pray as we make decisions in the next week. Encouragement is greatly needed for our M’s serving in this part of the world. Pray we can lock in a location asap.
Remember, someone you cross paths with today needs encouragement whether you know it or not. Give away a smile, a hug, a card, a text, phone call etc. You never know but He does. Be sensitive to His leadership.
His,
Vickie
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!
HE IS…
Type or
copy and paste this into your browser for song…https://youtu.be/C7Btc3g0UaU
From the Board, Staff, and Advisors of Pure
Joy International Retreat Ministry… Joyful Easter!
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
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