Sunday, March 8, 2020

Crazy season begins

It is March which means my life is not my own for the next three months or so. March brings graduation and school closings.  Right after  all that is our church thanksgiving national church convention, national youth convention and also an inter-barangay youth camp.  I have all six kids in school so have to be at all the programs for all the kids.  Mark and Marah will have their preschool graduation on March 19.  Both of them learned a lot this year but will have some work to do with mom at home over summer break to be ready for kindergarten next year. 

On April 1 the elementary school will have their closing program.  The big event of the day will the graduation of Precious from grade 6.  Mickiala will be finishing 3rd grade, going to 4th next year.  Faith is finishing 2nd grade and will come back to homeschool with me for 3rd grade and last Andrew will be finishing kindergarten and going to 1st next year.  So far it seems all the kids are doing well and will end the year with good grades.  Precious is going to be taking an entrance test this coming Saturday the 14th for a national Science high school in Ubay.  She is not sure she wants to attend there this first year but the entrance exam is valid till the 11th grade.  She is pretty sure she wants to go to Biabas Trade High this next year.  It will mean either having Jonah drive her every morning or hiring a driver service.  She has chosen this school because of the academic standing and the fact that they are more technologically advanced then the closer high school.  I am proud of her in that she wants the best education for herself and that she is willing to work hard for a good education.  It is hard to believe she is growing up but we are proud of her non the less.

We always celebrate our church Thanksgiving this time of year and it is a great way to reflect on what the Lord has done for and through us and to look to what he has for us in the coming year.  It is a wonderful service or worship and celebration and a wonderful time of fellowship and food after the service.  There are always games like basketball and just a great time celebrating the blessings we have been given.

The National convention is often in Negros but once in awhile is here.  This year it is here in Bohol so that means hundreds of people for 3 days or so.  They all stay here at the compound where we live so is busy and loud and semi chaotic but it is a time for the denomination to plan for the coming year and for future.  It is also a time to reflect on the past and what can be done to make the church the best it can be with God using and guiding his people. 

The denomination also has a national youth convention which is in may in Negros.  We have about 10-15 young people from our church going with us this year.  Several of them are working for us on the weekends and evenings to earn money for there registration.  they have games and small group times and teachings on topics that are important to the youth of this day. 

It is also time for one of our inter-barangay youth events.  We are hoping to make this an overnight event.  This is a great outreach opportunity for the local church to  reach the young people of our community and introduce them to the gospel and love of Christ.

We will continue our every other Sunday youth service most of the way through the summer but will take a month off in May because of all the other events going on.  I will try my best to post pictures after each event happens but if it a couple of months before you hear from us it is because of all the things that we have coming up.

We ask that you pray for us in the coming months that we will have the strength and energy that only comes from The good Lord and that we can all stay healthy with all the extra people and activities going on and lastly pray for patience for us as our normal routine is turned upside down and inside out

Pray that God will be glorified in all the activities coming.  Thank you and God bless!!

Thursday, February 20, 2020

ministry changes and friends visit

 
Hi friends  and family,
It has been a long time again.  I truly do apologize for the long delays.  I am a busy mom and internet is not always our friend. 
So last time we shared some big family news about the adoption of our four kids.  It is still a slow process and we are patiently waiting for things to proceed.  We pray that God will "light a fire under people"  but till then we know God has a plan and we wait for his timing. 
 
Since we have decided to adopt all of our orphans our ministry is seeing a shift.  We are starting to focus more on the youth of our church and our community.  For the youth of our church we have started a youth service.  The youth meet two Sundays a month for a time of worship, pray, teaching and small group discussion.  The church youth is mostly taken care of by Jessica.  Jonah is also working to start a campus ministry at the local High school.  He is working to save some money for a budget to build a small building that they can meet in. 
 
 
We also are so excited to have had visitors for the last couple of weeks.  One of our friends and fellow missionaries got married last week and so we had wonderful friends come from the US for the wedding and spend some time with us.  Our kids have had a wonderful time reconnecting and us moms have had a wonderful time talking and playing games.  I am hoping that you will all see a guest post soon from one of these dear friends.  She has a great description of our ministry that she will share with you all and will be able to share more pictures with you all.
 
Sorry it is a short post also but I have my last day with these dear friends so I am going to spend as much time with them as possible.
 
God bless
 
 
 
 
 
Grandma Kerkstra pillowcase dresses
 
 
 
 
 
The two best friends reconnecting