faith

Noah surrendered his life to build something that, to his inner perspective, seemed foolish. His life was spared, blessed and praised because of his obedience.

Greg and I have been praying about our, hopeful, mission to the Philippines. Our application is in and we have been contacted for a face-to-face interview. We are excited.

But there was this nagging...

I was wondering how I could nurture a newborn while at the clinic and classes and so was Greg. Then one day he said to me, "You know, I just don't think I can do the Philippines with an infant."

Wow. He said it. Out loud. Selfishly I immediately wanted to say "Sure you can!" but God pulled on me and I kept my mouth shut. I'm glad I did. After all, I couldn't do it either...

So, we contacted the director and told her our thoughts. We want to think healthy and realistically:

We still feel called to attend NewLife.

We are still praying that we are accepted.

We just have to wait a year.

So, we asked them if they would still be willing to proceed with our application with the understanding that we will go in 2011. They said yes. The process is still underway...

Aside from the new baby, we need to begin fundraising. This is a HUGE undertaking for a family of 6. We can't start until we know we are accepted. So we wait to learn if we are going.

The good thing is that we are not disheartened. We feel a great Peace and are comfortable where God is leading us.

It took Noah 120 years to build that ark. So I guess another year for us is nothing, right?

Keep us in your prayers. Please leave us a comment. We are very grateful that Newlife is extending this to us.

sacrifice

This morning as I bring my offering to You, I recognize that You are watching. You are watching my heart. It's not the amount I give, it's the affection that moves you. So give me the grace to give my whole heart to You. As I give, give me the grace to be an extravagant giver.

Lessons from Mary

It's amazing that when someone mentions 'Mary' we, who know the Bible, know just which Mary we are talking about.

Mary.

A plain name.

A Woman from a plain place.

An amazing heart.

Julie wrote about this on her blog and I just couldn't resist. While we wait to her from Mercy Maternity, this is what I hide in my heart (beside the "oh please, oh please, oh please accept us" prayer).

1) she went to the feet of Jesus for instruction-
Even though her sister Martha was busy making dinner, Mary knew where she should be.

Greg and I couldn't do anything with out His instruction. We seek Biblical and wise council on major decisions. But when it all comes down to it, we end up on our knees and talk.

2) she went to the feet of Jesus for comfort-
When her brother Lazarus died. Jesus wept! (even though He was to bring him back to life)

What if we don't get in? What if we actually do? Where will all the money come from. Oh wait. We have to BE STILL. Thanks Jesus. What would we do without you, our Great Comforter? And really, what do people do without you? I can't even imagine...

3) she went to the feet of Jesus for worship-
She poured expensive perfume over his feet (she gave her best to Him)

Jesus. Great and Might is He. Thank you for you are Majestic! Thank you that we can come to You! You are to be praised for eternity!

Until next time,

Jenny & Co.

The waiting is the hardest part

Have you ever hoped for something so much that you just couldn't contain yourself? Every hour or more I check my e-mail waiting to hear back from Mercy Maternity. It is a good reminder for me to keep praying and leaning on Him. Like hunger pains are to fasting, so my eagerness is to patience.

The other night I had a dream that we were in the Philippines. It was hot, there were bugs and we were right where God called us to be. It was a great dream!

If you would keep us in your prayers, we would really appreciate it. Pray for a quick response from the school. Pray that fundraising will go well, when we do. Pray that Greg and I will continue to have a STRONG marriage that grows stronger. Please pray for the director and her husband, Matt & Krystina to follow what God is telling them, too.

We love to hear from you. Please leave a comment letting us know you stopped by.

Blessings,

Jenny & Co.

Honored

I met her on a clinic day. I bent down and asked, "?Como se llama?" ("What is your name?").

Her mother spoke for her saying her name is Jennifer. Hey! That's MY name, too! We formed a bond. Her mother couldn't take her eyes off me the rest of the visit.

The evening before we left for SumaPipi, Jennifer's mother sought me out amongst the kids packing around the porch of the bodega where I was sitting. She asked me to be Jennifer's God mother!
Honored, I told her I would pray about it and let her know in 2 days when we got back. I spent those two day in prayer and asking the residents what being a godmother in Nicaragua entails. What are my expectations are.

Upon returning, I heard the translator calling through the crowd: "Where is Jennifer's mother?" She was looking for me.
Jennifer was freshly washed and pressed. She smelled of coconut oil and had curls in her hair (I still have no idea how she did it). Jennifer handed me a plastic box full of freshly baked corn bread. It was delicious. I shared it with the rest of the team as Jennifer sat the rest of the evening on my lap.

Apparently I had agreed to be this sweet, poverty stricken, parasite infested girls godmother.

I hugged her and kissed her goodbye. It'll be at least a year before I see her again.

I still pray for Jennifer.
7 months later another team went down (I'm not able to go up the river for my pregnancy) and there was Jennifer looking for me all dolled up again. Michael Folsom took this photo for me. Thanks Michael. She looks great.

please note

On the right side of your blog are two other blogs of folks we have been following and been in touch with who are currently serving in the Philippines. Feel free to read and be blessed by their adventures as we have been. There they are able to share with us a lot on the daily life of missionary-midwives and their families.

The Germain Gang

The Adventures of Tim and Bethany

Until later,
Jenny & Co.

no news

The Philippines has received our application. We don't know if we are accepted or when we will know.

Patiently & excitedly waiting,

Jenny & Co.

today is the day

I submitted our application to NISM/Mercy Maternity.

Now we wait.