Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Exciting Ministry News!!!
Watch the video below for the latest news about how God is taking Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry to a new level.
Monday, August 4, 2008
First Video Blog
On Saturday, Aug. 2, we held our second yardsale to raise funds to support our upcoming mission trip to Venezuela. God was faithful and it was successful despite the HEAT! We have been experiencing temperatures over 100 degrees for several days and Saturday was no exception. Below is a video report on the sale. We hope that adding video to our blogs will be a way to make our blog time with you more personal. Keep praying for Venezuela!
his,
Vickie
his,
Vickie
Monday, July 21, 2008
God's Ever So Wonderful Ways...
Wednesday morning of this past week I did something really out of the norm for me. I canceled and rescheduled all my counseling appointments and took the day off to spend with David and Denise Brown the Pastor and his wife from Elko, Nevada. They had come to Arkansas to visit family and friends. We headed out early Wednesday morning and headed to Heber Springs, AR a beautiful area of our state. Denise’s mom and dad live in Heber Springs where their home backs up to beautiful Greer’s Ferry Lake. It is for sure a site to behold and peaceable. I spent the late morning and early afternoon watching children and teens jump from the cliffs into the cool water, the kids riding the inner tube behind the Wave Runner, and two adult women (I wasn’t one of them) standing on the cliffs for 20-30 mins. trying to work up the gumption to make the jump. Now that was entertaining! My little lawn chair under the shade tree provided an excellent real life view of fun at the lake house! I also had the wonderful opportunity to visit with Denise’s mom and dad, Doris and J.C. George. However, the thing I loved the most about the day was God’s wonderful reminder of His touch on this ministry.
As I sat at their food bar enjoying things I should not have been eating I noticed a missionary prayer card lying on the bar. I picked it up and saw the name and that the young girl was a missionary in Venezuela. I said, “You guys, this girl is one of our missionaries that has signed up for the Venezuela trip. How do you know her?” They shared with me that this was their Worship Minister’s daughter at FBC there at Heber Springs. Now I ask you what are those chances. With God as I read once, 1 in 1! How sweet to already have a face to go with the name we have been praying for now well over two months. Truly, His ways NEVER cease to amaze me!
Please remember our ladies in Venezuela and our Team members as the action really starts to take off from this point on! Lot’s of details to take care of between now and Oct.
His,
vickie
As I sat at their food bar enjoying things I should not have been eating I noticed a missionary prayer card lying on the bar. I picked it up and saw the name and that the young girl was a missionary in Venezuela. I said, “You guys, this girl is one of our missionaries that has signed up for the Venezuela trip. How do you know her?” They shared with me that this was their Worship Minister’s daughter at FBC there at Heber Springs. Now I ask you what are those chances. With God as I read once, 1 in 1! How sweet to already have a face to go with the name we have been praying for now well over two months. Truly, His ways NEVER cease to amaze me!
Please remember our ladies in Venezuela and our Team members as the action really starts to take off from this point on! Lot’s of details to take care of between now and Oct.
His,
vickie
Monday, July 14, 2008
Please Pray...
Ok, so can we just say that this blogging thing is a major weakness in my life! I’m just not good about it. So, I’ve decided I really don’t understand the principle of it. So, maybe if some of you could write me and give me a motive for this I might become better at it. I am somewhat of the attitude of my friend and board member Kenny which suggested there are only twelve disciples so I should only have to blog 1 time a month which equals 12. What does that have to do with anything, nothing!! Which is why I enjoy Kenny so much! ha,ha
All kidding aside we did have a wonderful time in Nevada and God did some awesome ministry there. We saw several come to know the LORD and to be baptized. We are believing great things for that church in Elko, Nevada.
Things are in full swing for our trip to Venezuela. Now all the details of the trip start happening. For me this is really the absolute fun part because you start really hearing from God and His plans for the ladies there in Venezuela. Please join us in praying for the missionary women there. We will be ministering to women from many different venues. Following is a prayer list of needs:
• Pray for each woman that has registered to attend. Register as a Friend of Pure Joy to obtain the prayer list. (Note: We are not always able to share this information.)
• Pray for their husbands and children that will be left at home as they attend. Pray this also for team members that will leave family behind to go.
• Pray for the ministries the ladies work in to be in order so they are not distracted by that while attending.
• Pray for all the things God would want to speak to us (the team) about their needs during our prayer times.
• Pray for our travel as a team to and fro.
• Pray for the speakers that we will speak only as God has directed each of us.
• Pray for the finances for team members and for sponsorship of the missionary women. It cost $400 to sponsor a woman for this retreat with the ministry actually having to absorb some extra cost because of the economic status of the country. God is faithful and HE has never failed to provide. Are you to be a part of this provision?
• Pray that we will be His testimony to not only those ladies to encourage and refresh them but to the staff of the facility where we are staying.
• Pray, Pray, Pray, and then Pray some more!
Ok, so remember…..encourage me about this blogging thing!!
His,
vickie
All kidding aside we did have a wonderful time in Nevada and God did some awesome ministry there. We saw several come to know the LORD and to be baptized. We are believing great things for that church in Elko, Nevada.
Things are in full swing for our trip to Venezuela. Now all the details of the trip start happening. For me this is really the absolute fun part because you start really hearing from God and His plans for the ladies there in Venezuela. Please join us in praying for the missionary women there. We will be ministering to women from many different venues. Following is a prayer list of needs:
• Pray for each woman that has registered to attend. Register as a Friend of Pure Joy to obtain the prayer list. (Note: We are not always able to share this information.)
• Pray for their husbands and children that will be left at home as they attend. Pray this also for team members that will leave family behind to go.
• Pray for the ministries the ladies work in to be in order so they are not distracted by that while attending.
• Pray for all the things God would want to speak to us (the team) about their needs during our prayer times.
• Pray for our travel as a team to and fro.
• Pray for the speakers that we will speak only as God has directed each of us.
• Pray for the finances for team members and for sponsorship of the missionary women. It cost $400 to sponsor a woman for this retreat with the ministry actually having to absorb some extra cost because of the economic status of the country. God is faithful and HE has never failed to provide. Are you to be a part of this provision?
• Pray that we will be His testimony to not only those ladies to encourage and refresh them but to the staff of the facility where we are staying.
• Pray, Pray, Pray, and then Pray some more!
Ok, so remember…..encourage me about this blogging thing!!
His,
vickie
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sanibonani! (Hello in Zulu, one of the eleven official languages in South Africa)
Somehow Vickie has managed to escape her favorite weekly opportunity of writing a blog again! (I can't believe I'm encouraging this sort of behavior!) Patty, this is for you because as I was brushing my teeth this morning, Vickie asks, "HEY! I've got a great idea. What if you write this blog to give me extra time to come up with something of my own?" In my own disapproving way, I ask if it's really in her best interest. And she replies that you (Patty) are expecting something like this.
My name is Sarah Walters. I am in Elko, Nevada with Vickie and the First Baptist Church of Morrilton to work with Shiloh Bible Church. My job this year entails me teaching kids about missions in South Africa as they are encouraged to bring money to buy soccer balls to send to Operation Kid-to-Kid. (Hence the greeting!) This is my third year in Elko with this church.
It's funny how God gets our attention. As some of you know, I (Sarah) used to work at FBC, and God tenderly led me to resign to fulfill his calling in my education. This past semester, during a small group Bible study our topic was GO UNTIL YOU GET A NO! Vickie had already contacted me about the trip to Elko to give me dates, and I knew the topic of Bible study that night was God's affirmation that I was to be on this trip.
Vickie and I are staying with a couple named Deb and Kevin who are just the sweetest people and best hosts. They really know how to make us feel like we have a home away from home. This week, our team (made up of Shiloh Bible Church and FBC Morrilton) is having VBS for the kids of Elko. Last year, our numbers were in the high 30s. This year God has knocked our socks off and by Wednesday has blessed us with 53 kids and we still have two remaining days!
Not only is God moving amongst the children, he is doing a mighty work during our revival services. They are TRUE revival services! Monday night during the service, Vickie felt led of God to share with us that if you are living in the past, you can't live in the present. She also said, if you are living in the future you can't live in the present. God wants us to live in the here and now. He wants us to be aware of what is going on around us right now, not lingering on our mistakes from the past or the "what ifs" of the future. What she didn't know was that Monday morning my Words from God came from Isaiah 43:18- 21. Vs. 18-19 states, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" God used this verse to prepare my heart for the true revival to begin that night. I witnessed the altar as it became flooded with adults, students, and children, praying and asking God to help them leave things from the past in the past, and to live in the present. Tuesday night was another amazing night as God opened the flood gates of heaven once again as more than 10 people can forward to either pronounce their faith in Christ or another commitment recently made to him.
WOW, GOD! Jesus is so amazing. I am SO THANKFUL for this opportunity to be in Elko with Shiloh Bible Church and FBC Morrilton as we continue to see our Lord move in MIGHTY, MIGHTY ways!!!
So now, you can understand why Vickie hasn't posted yet, and I promise Vickie will post her own blog soon...I will MAKE SURE of it!! :)
--
Sarah Walters
My name is Sarah Walters. I am in Elko, Nevada with Vickie and the First Baptist Church of Morrilton to work with Shiloh Bible Church. My job this year entails me teaching kids about missions in South Africa as they are encouraged to bring money to buy soccer balls to send to Operation Kid-to-Kid. (Hence the greeting!) This is my third year in Elko with this church.
It's funny how God gets our attention. As some of you know, I (Sarah) used to work at FBC, and God tenderly led me to resign to fulfill his calling in my education. This past semester, during a small group Bible study our topic was GO UNTIL YOU GET A NO! Vickie had already contacted me about the trip to Elko to give me dates, and I knew the topic of Bible study that night was God's affirmation that I was to be on this trip.
Vickie and I are staying with a couple named Deb and Kevin who are just the sweetest people and best hosts. They really know how to make us feel like we have a home away from home. This week, our team (made up of Shiloh Bible Church and FBC Morrilton) is having VBS for the kids of Elko. Last year, our numbers were in the high 30s. This year God has knocked our socks off and by Wednesday has blessed us with 53 kids and we still have two remaining days!
Not only is God moving amongst the children, he is doing a mighty work during our revival services. They are TRUE revival services! Monday night during the service, Vickie felt led of God to share with us that if you are living in the past, you can't live in the present. She also said, if you are living in the future you can't live in the present. God wants us to live in the here and now. He wants us to be aware of what is going on around us right now, not lingering on our mistakes from the past or the "what ifs" of the future. What she didn't know was that Monday morning my Words from God came from Isaiah 43:18- 21. Vs. 18-19 states, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" God used this verse to prepare my heart for the true revival to begin that night. I witnessed the altar as it became flooded with adults, students, and children, praying and asking God to help them leave things from the past in the past, and to live in the present. Tuesday night was another amazing night as God opened the flood gates of heaven once again as more than 10 people can forward to either pronounce their faith in Christ or another commitment recently made to him.
WOW, GOD! Jesus is so amazing. I am SO THANKFUL for this opportunity to be in Elko with Shiloh Bible Church and FBC Morrilton as we continue to see our Lord move in MIGHTY, MIGHTY ways!!!
So now, you can understand why Vickie hasn't posted yet, and I promise Vickie will post her own blog soon...I will MAKE SURE of it!! :)
--
Sarah Walters
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Yard Sale - NOT My Spiritual Gift!!
Ok, so granted you haven’t had a blog from me in over a week. Yes, Patty has been on me about it but to no avail because my focus has been on this Yard Sale thing. I realize as I type these words there are millions of you out there that absolutely think Yard Sales are the next best thing to grandma and apple pie. And I am happy about that for each of you. But...I don’t see it that way so much.
Truth is I am not a big shopper by nature. I am one of those get in the store get what I need and get out. It is almost as if it is an army maneuver. Along with that mentality therefore comes the inability to really understand the price of things. I get what works and get out!
So, when we decided to do our 1st Annual Pure Joy Yard Sale I did what any one with any working brain cells would do that shops like me……..I found someone else to be the leader of this operation. My precious friend Penny was the perfect person to lead us through this battle. She has been on a mission trip with us and is going with our team to Venezuela. But, most importantly she is a shopper. I’m telling you if shopping could be a spiritual gift that would be one of hers!!! She knows how to bargain shop and she knows the price of things. My mom and several other women came along side her and they began marking that stuff with all these different color dots and white stickers, etc. I am telling you it was a well executed Yard Sale!
Finally, Saturday came and with it the opportunity for us to pray in faith that God would not let one drop of water touch us that day even though we were surrounded by clouds, thunder and lighting and the storm that has fallen upon us hours earlier knocking the electricity out for many. He granted us favor and we had a great turn out and made enough money to support 5 of our missionaries that will be attending the Venezuela retreat in October!
Granted we did have a few wounded warriors when it was all over Saturday because a person can only bend and lift things so many times. But, all made it to worship yesterday with smiles on their faces! I think they may have been wearing masks. Hmmmmm
His,
vickie
Truth is I am not a big shopper by nature. I am one of those get in the store get what I need and get out. It is almost as if it is an army maneuver. Along with that mentality therefore comes the inability to really understand the price of things. I get what works and get out!
So, when we decided to do our 1st Annual Pure Joy Yard Sale I did what any one with any working brain cells would do that shops like me……..I found someone else to be the leader of this operation. My precious friend Penny was the perfect person to lead us through this battle. She has been on a mission trip with us and is going with our team to Venezuela. But, most importantly she is a shopper. I’m telling you if shopping could be a spiritual gift that would be one of hers!!! She knows how to bargain shop and she knows the price of things. My mom and several other women came along side her and they began marking that stuff with all these different color dots and white stickers, etc. I am telling you it was a well executed Yard Sale!
Finally, Saturday came and with it the opportunity for us to pray in faith that God would not let one drop of water touch us that day even though we were surrounded by clouds, thunder and lighting and the storm that has fallen upon us hours earlier knocking the electricity out for many. He granted us favor and we had a great turn out and made enough money to support 5 of our missionaries that will be attending the Venezuela retreat in October!
Granted we did have a few wounded warriors when it was all over Saturday because a person can only bend and lift things so many times. But, all made it to worship yesterday with smiles on their faces! I think they may have been wearing masks. Hmmmmm
His,
vickie
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