Hey all,
It is another wet and gloomy day here in northern MN the bonus being that they most likely will lift the burn ban that has been on because everything around here was spontaneously combusting.
As we are coming to up on the end of spring here we are happy to have finished off many projects around the place as well as Damien and Andrew completing the EMT course. Tracy has attended several births and there are happy and healthy moms and babies who are very grateful for the schooling that she is receiving. Aubrey has a tiny little baby belly. The munchkins are growing like crazy and have their birthdays coming right up.
We have made a few changes to camp. We have changed it from 10 days long to 5 days with camp starting on June 9 and ending June 13. If you would like to register for camp please let us know. It is going to be a great time!
Sharayah and her husband will be moving to the base camp here in the next couple of weeks and still plan to head to Alaska for 2 months with Nathan's (Sharayah's hubby) Texas church. We have 2 young women from Texas coming to spend time in the woods. One of the young women and her family we have known and been friends with as well as them being supporters of Freedom Seed for years, we are excited to have her coming up to spend 3 weeks with us. The other young lady will be spending the summer with us to get a taste of something different and a little more Jesus. We also have a young man coming to spend 6 months, kind of a "gap" season for him. We are looking forward to the work that Jesus will do in their lives during their time here.
Our closing thoughts are those of summer and hoping that it comes soon!
Love from the team.
Jasmine C.
Communications
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Freedom Seed Q&A
We have recently written out an informal Q&A about Freedom Seed that I have attached to the end of this e-mail. We hope it will give you a better insight in to what Freedom Seed is about and the methods we use to train people and why.
Learners are teachers.
What are the PEMS? The PEMS stand for Physical Emotional Mental and Supernatural. They are the way the Freedom Seed has chosen to verbalize the steps that we take to reach and share freedom in Christ.
Why do we use them? They give us practical steps to walk out on a daily basis and a way to clean up our “garbage”.
Where did the basis of how we learn/train come from? Both the 12 Steps of AA and the years that the Pembertons and later Freedom Seed spent traveling and serving.
What do we think about honesty? Honesty is essential. Both with God and with others. We can not stress enough how important honesty is.
How important is community to us? Community is the way we have chosen to walk out our lives so that we are able to practice on a daily basis the PEMS and to be continually challenged in our walk. It also gives us lots of room to practice service. Community is a growing place for us and our refuge. It is very important.
What goes to Heaven or what do you take with you? The only thing that you take with you are your relationships.
What do we think about manipulation? Manipulation in all it's forms is plainly and simply sin. It is not tolerated for any length of time in the group. Manipulation destroys relationship.
What is manipulation? The dictionary defines manipulation as: “To manage or influence skillfully, esp. in an unfair manner.” and “to adapt or change to suit one's purpose or advantage.”. Manipulation is using people to get what you want.
Responsibility and __________ go hand in hand. AUTHORITY!
Why? If you are not responsible with small things you can not handle larger things. The more responsible you are the more people will trust you.
How do chores show readiness for ministry? Once again if you are not able to do the small things you will not be able to do the larger things. Ministry is hard work and often involves a lot of menial jobs. Often times it is hard work that breaks the ice with people so we are able to minister to them. Chores prepare you for this.
Why do your leaders choose to stand aside and let people learn without direct supervision? We believe that natural consequences are often the best teachers. You will not constantly be supervised throughout your life so why start that way?
What kind of churches do we intend to plant? Circle style churches. Churches that function like our small community.
Why don't we have “traditional” teaching? Everyone has something to share and it is important that everyone is given a chance to share during a meeting. Different things touch different people.
What do we think about the “Church”? We love the Church and know that it spans through time and we are a vital part of that.
What do we think about the Bible? It is truth and inspiration. It is inspired.
Do we have any interest in becoming a status quo church? No.
What is our mission philosophy on how to reach people? Relationship, relationship, relationship.
Why do we choose to do this in community? In community we learn how to grow and maintain healthy, Godly, relationship.
How did Freedom Seed start? Freedom Seed started with a family knowing that there was something more. This family spent lots of prayer time and decided as a family to start doing. And they have done ever since.
How did the “Pembertons” become ministers? By stepping out and doing. The next thing. And then the next.
What is the FS mandate for the leaders? Serve!
Why do we share with other people? We share with others because it is what keeps us alive and vital. And it is selfish to keep silent about water in the desert.
Why? Without reaching out we do not have anything new running through our lives. We dry up.
What do we think about young people and children in ministry? They are a vital part of our lives and therefore our ministry. Young people and children can speak profoundly in to a ministry. They should always be included and listened to.
What do we think about the supernatural? It is very real and active in our lives.
What are some of the supernatural things have we have seen? We have experienced many spiritual things including healing, deliverance, multiplication... etc.
Why do we meet regularly? We meet on a regular basis to gauge where everyone is at and to check up on each other. We also meet to pray and worship. It is one of the ways that we stay connected with God and others.
How important is disciplin? Very. If you are not disciplined you will not be able to live in community or a foreign country.
Why do we care about people's motives in ministry? Motive is everything. There is no point in ministry if there is wrong motive.
Why do we have our potential teachers/leaders/church planters work the 12 steps over and over again? So in AA terms they “carry the message and not the mess”. Also so that they commit the Steps to memory so they are able to recall what they need to assist them while ministering to others.
What do we think about taking on other people's responsibilities? Why? It's not to be done. It becomes unhealthy when we take on responsibility that does not belong to us.
Do we think this is the only way to learn/teach? No. There are many different ways to learn and to teach. For some people there very well may be a better way.
Are we interested in another way? No. Though we choose to remain teachable and incorporate new things in to our ministry and lives we have established a way that works for us and are not interested in changing that.
What is the most important thing in our lives? Christ. And Him crucified. Christ in us and through us. Christ behind and before us. Jesus.
Learners are teachers.
What are the PEMS? The PEMS stand for Physical Emotional Mental and Supernatural. They are the way the Freedom Seed has chosen to verbalize the steps that we take to reach and share freedom in Christ.
Why do we use them? They give us practical steps to walk out on a daily basis and a way to clean up our “garbage”.
Where did the basis of how we learn/train come from? Both the 12 Steps of AA and the years that the Pembertons and later Freedom Seed spent traveling and serving.
What do we think about honesty? Honesty is essential. Both with God and with others. We can not stress enough how important honesty is.
How important is community to us? Community is the way we have chosen to walk out our lives so that we are able to practice on a daily basis the PEMS and to be continually challenged in our walk. It also gives us lots of room to practice service. Community is a growing place for us and our refuge. It is very important.
What goes to Heaven or what do you take with you? The only thing that you take with you are your relationships.
What do we think about manipulation? Manipulation in all it's forms is plainly and simply sin. It is not tolerated for any length of time in the group. Manipulation destroys relationship.
What is manipulation? The dictionary defines manipulation as: “To manage or influence skillfully, esp. in an unfair manner.” and “to adapt or change to suit one's purpose or advantage.”. Manipulation is using people to get what you want.
Responsibility and __________ go hand in hand. AUTHORITY!
Why? If you are not responsible with small things you can not handle larger things. The more responsible you are the more people will trust you.
How do chores show readiness for ministry? Once again if you are not able to do the small things you will not be able to do the larger things. Ministry is hard work and often involves a lot of menial jobs. Often times it is hard work that breaks the ice with people so we are able to minister to them. Chores prepare you for this.
Why do your leaders choose to stand aside and let people learn without direct supervision? We believe that natural consequences are often the best teachers. You will not constantly be supervised throughout your life so why start that way?
What kind of churches do we intend to plant? Circle style churches. Churches that function like our small community.
Why don't we have “traditional” teaching? Everyone has something to share and it is important that everyone is given a chance to share during a meeting. Different things touch different people.
What do we think about the “Church”? We love the Church and know that it spans through time and we are a vital part of that.
What do we think about the Bible? It is truth and inspiration. It is inspired.
Do we have any interest in becoming a status quo church? No.
What is our mission philosophy on how to reach people? Relationship, relationship, relationship.
Why do we choose to do this in community? In community we learn how to grow and maintain healthy, Godly, relationship.
How did Freedom Seed start? Freedom Seed started with a family knowing that there was something more. This family spent lots of prayer time and decided as a family to start doing. And they have done ever since.
How did the “Pembertons” become ministers? By stepping out and doing. The next thing. And then the next.
What is the FS mandate for the leaders? Serve!
Why do we share with other people? We share with others because it is what keeps us alive and vital. And it is selfish to keep silent about water in the desert.
Why? Without reaching out we do not have anything new running through our lives. We dry up.
What do we think about young people and children in ministry? They are a vital part of our lives and therefore our ministry. Young people and children can speak profoundly in to a ministry. They should always be included and listened to.
What do we think about the supernatural? It is very real and active in our lives.
What are some of the supernatural things have we have seen? We have experienced many spiritual things including healing, deliverance, multiplication... etc.
Why do we meet regularly? We meet on a regular basis to gauge where everyone is at and to check up on each other. We also meet to pray and worship. It is one of the ways that we stay connected with God and others.
How important is disciplin? Very. If you are not disciplined you will not be able to live in community or a foreign country.
Why do we care about people's motives in ministry? Motive is everything. There is no point in ministry if there is wrong motive.
Why do we have our potential teachers/leaders/church planters work the 12 steps over and over again? So in AA terms they “carry the message and not the mess”. Also so that they commit the Steps to memory so they are able to recall what they need to assist them while ministering to others.
What do we think about taking on other people's responsibilities? Why? It's not to be done. It becomes unhealthy when we take on responsibility that does not belong to us.
Do we think this is the only way to learn/teach? No. There are many different ways to learn and to teach. For some people there very well may be a better way.
Are we interested in another way? No. Though we choose to remain teachable and incorporate new things in to our ministry and lives we have established a way that works for us and are not interested in changing that.
What is the most important thing in our lives? Christ. And Him crucified. Christ in us and through us. Christ behind and before us. Jesus.
Spring Anyone?
Hello all,
We are hoping that cabin fever is not setting in for you all as it has begun to for us. It has not been terrible so far this winter as everyone has been quite busy but the tail end is always the roughest. Jude especially is ready to spend some time outdoors. We have been enjoying the Olympics this past week and that has eased the fever a bit.
Big news around here is that Aubrey and Paul are expecting baby #2! He or she is due at the beginning of October.
Plans for the Freedom Seed summer camp and coming together and we are hoping that you are thinking of joining us. We do need everyone who is planning on attending to let us know and have an initial payment of $100 in by May 30. This will give us time to get all of our supplies together for your arrival.
If you have any questions about camp please e-mail us or give us a call.
As always questions, comments and conversation is always welcome.
Love,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
218-854-7327
www.FreedomSeed.org
We are hoping that cabin fever is not setting in for you all as it has begun to for us. It has not been terrible so far this winter as everyone has been quite busy but the tail end is always the roughest. Jude especially is ready to spend some time outdoors. We have been enjoying the Olympics this past week and that has eased the fever a bit.
Big news around here is that Aubrey and Paul are expecting baby #2! He or she is due at the beginning of October.
Plans for the Freedom Seed summer camp and coming together and we are hoping that you are thinking of joining us. We do need everyone who is planning on attending to let us know and have an initial payment of $100 in by May 30. This will give us time to get all of our supplies together for your arrival.
If you have any questions about camp please e-mail us or give us a call.
As always questions, comments and conversation is always welcome.
Love,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
218-854-7327
www.FreedomSeed.org
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Summer Camp Details
Hello all!
Just wanted to start of by giving a big THANKS to the Lord for clearing up Sharayah's HUGE medical bills!
We hope you are all doing well and looking forward to it getting warmer, we are all happy since the weather has broken in to the 20's here for the last couple of days, we are laughing because we are going to be like the rest of the Minnesotans and be in our shorts and t-shirts as soon as it hits 50.
Speaking of summer I wanted to give you a few more details about our summer camp.
The camp title is PEMS* it will run June 4 - 13 the cost is $200 this will cover your food and drinks and maybe some s'more materials!
PEMS* is the way the Freedom Seed trains people and the way we live out our lives in a Christ-centered missional community and it is how we carry the message (and not the mess) to the field. During the 10 days of camp you will be immersed in this training, you will be challenged Physically Emotionally Mentally and Supernaturally and you will come out changed, strengthened, encouraged and empowered to do life.
We don't want to spoil the fun so I am going to be a bit vague but you will be participating in lots of these things: eating diverse foods, getting out in to nature, spending time with people, outreaching, worshiping, praying, sharing, working and playing, these will be carried out in unique and challenging ways.
You will be camping and it will be a bit on the primitive side, come geared up to smell like a camp fire for a few days!
This is going to be fun!
Please get in touch with us if you are interested so we can make sure and get you on our list.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to drop us a note.
We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon!
Peace,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
218-854-7327
www.FreedomSeed.org
Just wanted to start of by giving a big THANKS to the Lord for clearing up Sharayah's HUGE medical bills!
We hope you are all doing well and looking forward to it getting warmer, we are all happy since the weather has broken in to the 20's here for the last couple of days, we are laughing because we are going to be like the rest of the Minnesotans and be in our shorts and t-shirts as soon as it hits 50.
Speaking of summer I wanted to give you a few more details about our summer camp.
The camp title is PEMS* it will run June 4 - 13 the cost is $200 this will cover your food and drinks and maybe some s'more materials!
PEMS* is the way the Freedom Seed trains people and the way we live out our lives in a Christ-centered missional community and it is how we carry the message (and not the mess) to the field. During the 10 days of camp you will be immersed in this training, you will be challenged Physically Emotionally Mentally and Supernaturally and you will come out changed, strengthened, encouraged and empowered to do life.
We don't want to spoil the fun so I am going to be a bit vague but you will be participating in lots of these things: eating diverse foods, getting out in to nature, spending time with people, outreaching, worshiping, praying, sharing, working and playing, these will be carried out in unique and challenging ways.
You will be camping and it will be a bit on the primitive side, come geared up to smell like a camp fire for a few days!
This is going to be fun!
Please get in touch with us if you are interested so we can make sure and get you on our list.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to drop us a note.
We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon!
Peace,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
218-854-7327
www.FreedomSeed.org
Thursday, January 07, 2010
2010 Summer Camp
Happy New Year! We hope you rang in the New Year with joy, peace, hope and LOVE!
Freedom Seed MYC had a re-focus mind map where we write out all of our plans and ideas as a visual prayer and inspiration, a brainstorm time, this past week and are awed to see how God has been speaking to all of us and are inspired for this year. More on this to come in the next months.
We have also revamped our web page in hopes that it will be easier to navigate and contain more information. It is still in construction phase but should be completed by this weekend. Feel free to let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions about what kind of information you would like to see let us know.
I am going to jump ahead to this summer so that you all can start making plans, you do not want to miss out on this!
10 Day Summer Camp - June 4-13
Mark your calendars and get registered! Freedom Seed MYC is hosting a 10 day summer camp June 4-13. This is going to be 10 days of nock your socks off fun and communion. These ten days will be full of meetings, food, fellowship, games, worship, dance, drama, art, fire spinning and whatever else you come up with to bring, that’s right I said what you bring! This is old school Church where everyone brings something to share whether that is music, art, a writing, your story, a verse from the Bible, just don’t come empty handed!
So what do you need to do? Drop us a note letting us know you are coming. We are asking for a $200 check per person (if you are already a supporter please contact us first) to Freedom Seed, this is going to cover your food/drinks and other supplies for the 10 days.
Then you need to get here!
After you drop us a note letting us know you are coming we will put you on a contact list and as the time draws closer we will send you a packing list.
We are looking forward to seeing you here!
If you are under 18 a parent must accompany you.
We love you all.
In Christ,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd 3
Becida, MN 56678
www.FreedomSeed.org
218-854-7327
(Cabin phone #, yes we can actually answer it and talk with you!)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Merry Christmas and ER Visit
Merry Christmas everyone!
Or close enough anyway! We enjoy Christmas and are really enjoying it being here at home base, it is the first time in 10 years that Tony will not be able to sing "I'll be homeless for Christmas..." and we are all taking advantage of it! Christmas cookies, Christmas trees, lights, some presents. The great thing is that we are doing this all with running water!
Now are crew is TERRIBLE about waiting for it to actually be Christmas before we give our presents, so Aubrey gave Tony his present in advance, an axe. It is a fairly practical present considering we have 3 wood stoves to fill for the winter and a pile of wood that still needs to be split. The guys have been splitting like crazy and the rest of us have been hauling and stacking but there still is more to do. So Tony headed out to the woodpile to try out his new axe. He was back in a few minutes later limping and groaning (NOT a good sign considering he has such a high pain tolerance, ask his family because boy do we have some stories!), he had swung the axe for the first time not knowing that the handle was iced and slick, as he swung down it came out of his hands and caught him in the leg. Despite his protests the guys hauled him to the ER where he had his muscle stitched back together and his wound stitched back up, all the while he was asking if they could just throw a few butterfly bandages on it and call it good! Thank the Lord he didn't split the muscle the other way, he split it "with the grain", and that it hit the meaty part of his leg and not knee, foot or ankle! He is having to take it easy right now and is not enjoying his couch time.
Sharayah was also in the ER this past week for an infection and was put on IV antibiotics on top of having the flu. Thankfully she is sounding much better now.
So that is the excitement from the Freedom Seed front, feel free to share your Christmas stories with us!
But really, joking aside, this is a wonderful season and we pray that you and yours will find as much joy in it as we are.
Love,
Jasmine and the gang
Communications
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving all!
We have so much to be thankful for this year! And not even just this year but just these last couple of months. I just sent our last well payment! We have completed taking down an old barn, a project we started this summer and that has supplied the wood for Nathan and Allison's cabin, our chicken house, goat shed and the floor to the main cabin.
We had a great trip to Texas, Sharayah's wedding reception went well and we were able to visit TX friends as well as having an early family Thanksgiving dinner with Tracy's mom.
Tony and Tracy remained and Texas and are now making the rounds to update our friends, supporters and churches.
The rest of us are working, we are thankful for the jobs that the guys were able to find! We are also setting up winter outreaches. We are headed to Duluth MN with Tapestry (our band) on Saturday.
There are several of us trying to shake a nasty cold, it has pretty much been one after another since LifeLight.
We love you all and wish you a great Thanksgiving with a long list of things to be thankful for!
Jasmine C.
Communications
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Beltrami
We had a sweeeeeet time in Beltrami last night. It was a 2 hour car ride for 7 of us (that includes Chennai), we left the early rising work people at home. We had some great channel surfing and chat time.
We were surprised by the number of youth there and had a blast putting on our presentation which included worship music, speaking, drama, comedy and gymnastics, not necessarily in that order.
Our theme was "the reason to get up in the morning" or "pan de vida" (bread of life). Our motivation and inspiration? JESUS
We had a chance to chat with the youth and it is always a pleasure to minister with Don (youth pastor).
They are always so great about paying our gas and going above and beyond. You guys rock!
If you want us to come to you give us a shout out!
We were surprised by the number of youth there and had a blast putting on our presentation which included worship music, speaking, drama, comedy and gymnastics, not necessarily in that order.
Our theme was "the reason to get up in the morning" or "pan de vida" (bread of life). Our motivation and inspiration? JESUS
We had a chance to chat with the youth and it is always a pleasure to minister with Don (youth pastor).
They are always so great about paying our gas and going above and beyond. You guys rock!
If you want us to come to you give us a shout out!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Well
Our well is in! Tony and crew put the finishing touches on the plumbing today! We are all excited. Thank you to all of you who helped "get us well". We are continuing to make payments but we see the end of the tunnel. Thank you all.
On a personal update. Sharayah's wedding went off very well. She is off on her honeymoon and has moved down to Longview Texas. We will miss her.
Up next is a youth group a few hours from here, music gigs and Texas and border work.
Blessings,
Jasmine
Communications
Communications
Monday, September 28, 2009
1/3
So we are about 1/3 of the way to actually getting our well paid for. At the moment it is drilled and such and we have bill in hand! We are not able to get it plumbed in to the house as of yet but we are trusting that there is a plan for that!
Paul is making some awesome t-shirts and we have a pretty decent CD at the moment... we are just getting the new website up and running but we will have photos of everything up there soon and you can place an order for something sweet! For now you can make a donation on the Freedom Seed website (main page) and put in the comments what you would like us to send you.
Here is our thought provoking tidbit for the week.
Also our new etsy shop is up and running! "The Source"
Paul is making some awesome t-shirts and we have a pretty decent CD at the moment... we are just getting the new website up and running but we will have photos of everything up there soon and you can place an order for something sweet! For now you can make a donation on the Freedom Seed website (main page) and put in the comments what you would like us to send you.
Here is our thought provoking tidbit for the week.
Also our new etsy shop is up and running! "The Source"
Face-lift and Feeling Well
Hey all, just a quick note to let you know that the Freedom Seed website has had a face-lift! Make sure and check it out, there are sections that are still under construction but keep checking back to see the progress. (www.FreedomSeed.org)
Also we are excitedly watching our well being drilled today! It isn't paid for, not even very close actually, and they are having to drill quite deep which we are a bit disappointed about, we just pray we hit some good water!
If you would like to participate in "Getting Us Well" please send us your t-shirt size and I'll send you donation instructions!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!
Love,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
www.FreedomSeed.org
Also we are excitedly watching our well being drilled today! It isn't paid for, not even very close actually, and they are having to drill quite deep which we are a bit disappointed about, we just pray we hit some good water!
If you would like to participate in "Getting Us Well" please send us your t-shirt size and I'll send you donation instructions!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!
Love,
Jasmine C.
Communications
Freedom Seed
Mobile Youth Church
44528 County Rd. 3
Becida, MN 56678
www.FreedomSeed.org
Saturday, July 22, 2006
To Every Season - July Update
(Spelling correction for “Team UK” Mission e-letter that went out, Numbers 13 ASSESS the people)
I do not think that resting is actually a word in Freedom Seed’s dictionary.
Well, maybe that isn’t quite true. The Lord has taught us a lot over the years of being on the road (we are now in our 8th year) and in ministry about resting when He tells you to rest, and finding that place in Him that is named Rest.
So let me explain my opening sentence.
During our time here in Minnesota so far we have had countless people asking us how our “rest” is going.
Well I’m going to let you in on the secret.
We have worked on the “cabin”, dug a new outhouse, and cleaned up the woods around the house. Put in firewood. Helped the Burns (the people who gave us the cabin, we live a few hundred feet away from each other) dig holes and clean up and prepare for building their house.
Our e-mail and webpage went down for almost 2 weeks.
We have held a “Communion”.
We have slogged our way through re-entry culture shock.
This week we have spent 3 hours a day driving to a tent meeting in a very rural part of the countryside where we are the worship team. We were happy to host the speaker at our camper for a night and get to know him a bit. Last night was a Spanish speaking night and we were able to connect with an outreach to the Latin-Americans close to Bemidji (there are quite a few Latin-American people here because of a fabric factory) where they teach English classes, we will be joining them to help teach and to play music.
Saturday will be our day of rest this week as some of us (Jasmine, Aubrey and Matthias) prepare to council at camp for the next week.
After camp our plan is to make it to Sioux Falls SD to make a CD.
During that time the Burns will be building their house, Matthias and Tony will be heavily involved in the construction.
Jasmine and Aubrey are preparing for their 4-week outreach-scouting trip to the UK (if you would like more information about that please drop us a note and let us know). They will be leaving in the beginning of September.
Freedom Seed is also finishing it’s move to Minnesota as we have ministry paperwork to organize, drivers licenses to change… all the things that pertain to moving, not just a family but a ministry as well.
Plans are in motion for this fall, we will be “leaking” information about that soon.
Please keep us in your prayers as the rising gas prices are a large consideration in all of this and as Freedom Seed steps out in more and more diverse ministries and begins to share about the larger vision of the Mobile Youth Church travel is high on the list as well as varying outreach tools.
We are praying for you – you do not leave our thoughts or consideration.
In His faithfulness
I do not think that resting is actually a word in Freedom Seed’s dictionary.
Well, maybe that isn’t quite true. The Lord has taught us a lot over the years of being on the road (we are now in our 8th year) and in ministry about resting when He tells you to rest, and finding that place in Him that is named Rest.
So let me explain my opening sentence.
During our time here in Minnesota so far we have had countless people asking us how our “rest” is going.
Well I’m going to let you in on the secret.
We have worked on the “cabin”, dug a new outhouse, and cleaned up the woods around the house. Put in firewood. Helped the Burns (the people who gave us the cabin, we live a few hundred feet away from each other) dig holes and clean up and prepare for building their house.
Our e-mail and webpage went down for almost 2 weeks.
We have held a “Communion”.
We have slogged our way through re-entry culture shock.
This week we have spent 3 hours a day driving to a tent meeting in a very rural part of the countryside where we are the worship team. We were happy to host the speaker at our camper for a night and get to know him a bit. Last night was a Spanish speaking night and we were able to connect with an outreach to the Latin-Americans close to Bemidji (there are quite a few Latin-American people here because of a fabric factory) where they teach English classes, we will be joining them to help teach and to play music.
Saturday will be our day of rest this week as some of us (Jasmine, Aubrey and Matthias) prepare to council at camp for the next week.
After camp our plan is to make it to Sioux Falls SD to make a CD.
During that time the Burns will be building their house, Matthias and Tony will be heavily involved in the construction.
Jasmine and Aubrey are preparing for their 4-week outreach-scouting trip to the UK (if you would like more information about that please drop us a note and let us know). They will be leaving in the beginning of September.
Freedom Seed is also finishing it’s move to Minnesota as we have ministry paperwork to organize, drivers licenses to change… all the things that pertain to moving, not just a family but a ministry as well.
Plans are in motion for this fall, we will be “leaking” information about that soon.
Please keep us in your prayers as the rising gas prices are a large consideration in all of this and as Freedom Seed steps out in more and more diverse ministries and begins to share about the larger vision of the Mobile Youth Church travel is high on the list as well as varying outreach tools.
We are praying for you – you do not leave our thoughts or consideration.
In His faithfulness
Thursday, July 13, 2006
End Of Communion
Finding the words to express all that our days of Communion brought about is almost impossible.
Though we held "the" Communion on a certain set of days for a certain amount of time we would like to point out to you all that communing with one another and with Christ is not for aset amount of time, it has no end. We would like to invite you to come visit with us at any time during the summer here, outside of Bemidji at our cabinm come; stay as long as you want.
"The Communion" is set only because we know that you need to be able to make plans, travel plans and times so that you can get off work.
Communing is the purpose of Freedom Seed, to commune with Christ and with others, sharing in the joys, triumphs, sorrows and pains of Christ and His Body..
During the time of the Communion we were blessed to share in many of these things.
A young married couple came to the Comjmunion (they had only been married a week) and we watched as God worked changes in them through the communion that we took each night and through the sharingm we were excited to watch as God moved in their lives and blessed their new marriage as they washed each others feet, what a way to get started on a life-long journey!
We listened as people poured out their pains and sorrows about the felloship they were lacking and about the choices that they had made.
We watched as everyone quietly listened to each person, giving them the space and the respect of listening and not commenting but sharing in whatever the speaker was saying. People shared Bible verses, writingsm, their various arts, some just shared by serving others, cooking the meals, cleaning up. There were no chore lists and no real schedule and yet everything fit together and nothing was left undone, no one was left out.
Our good friend John Parsons (www.myliferadio.com) came and shared about the use of media in presenting the gospel, referring to them as the "roman roads" and "Greek language" of our day. 4 teams of people made video presentations of some Biblical truth that had impacted them and were taught how to edit and film them by John and his son in law. The films that came out of this excercise were incredible. One young man was very impacted by this part of the Communion in particular and will be helping Freedom Seed with putting together DVDs of pictures and video. There is more than one person that will be carrying on with using filming as a way to communicate the gospel message.
Freedom Seed Mobile Youth Church also gained a new member.
At the end of our time together we were sad to see everyone go but joyful to see what God had done in each person's life.
Communion was sweet.
Thank you to all of you who kept this Communion in your prayers, to those of you who helped to support it.
Please keep in mind our invitation to come and "commune" (visit) at any time, and that is not an empty invitation.
May God bless you all and bring you into a sweet communion with Himself and those around you.
Though we held "the" Communion on a certain set of days for a certain amount of time we would like to point out to you all that communing with one another and with Christ is not for aset amount of time, it has no end. We would like to invite you to come visit with us at any time during the summer here, outside of Bemidji at our cabinm come; stay as long as you want.
"The Communion" is set only because we know that you need to be able to make plans, travel plans and times so that you can get off work.
Communing is the purpose of Freedom Seed, to commune with Christ and with others, sharing in the joys, triumphs, sorrows and pains of Christ and His Body..
During the time of the Communion we were blessed to share in many of these things.
A young married couple came to the Comjmunion (they had only been married a week) and we watched as God worked changes in them through the communion that we took each night and through the sharingm we were excited to watch as God moved in their lives and blessed their new marriage as they washed each others feet, what a way to get started on a life-long journey!
We listened as people poured out their pains and sorrows about the felloship they were lacking and about the choices that they had made.
We watched as everyone quietly listened to each person, giving them the space and the respect of listening and not commenting but sharing in whatever the speaker was saying. People shared Bible verses, writingsm, their various arts, some just shared by serving others, cooking the meals, cleaning up. There were no chore lists and no real schedule and yet everything fit together and nothing was left undone, no one was left out.
Our good friend John Parsons (www.myliferadio.com) came and shared about the use of media in presenting the gospel, referring to them as the "roman roads" and "Greek language" of our day. 4 teams of people made video presentations of some Biblical truth that had impacted them and were taught how to edit and film them by John and his son in law. The films that came out of this excercise were incredible. One young man was very impacted by this part of the Communion in particular and will be helping Freedom Seed with putting together DVDs of pictures and video. There is more than one person that will be carrying on with using filming as a way to communicate the gospel message.
Freedom Seed Mobile Youth Church also gained a new member.
At the end of our time together we were sad to see everyone go but joyful to see what God had done in each person's life.
Communion was sweet.
Thank you to all of you who kept this Communion in your prayers, to those of you who helped to support it.
Please keep in mind our invitation to come and "commune" (visit) at any time, and that is not an empty invitation.
May God bless you all and bring you into a sweet communion with Himself and those around you.
Some Things to Sort Out
Business.
We are in Becida (or Solway depending on who you ask, and don't bother asking the post office because they will take either) Minnesota at the Freedom Seed cabin/base camp which has been named "The Source".
We have had web problems and e-mail problems, mail problems, banking issues... we do not have running water and recently tried to put a well in, tried is the key word in that sentence, for now the well drilling has been put on the back shelf as we get the place cleaned up and ready for this year's Freedom Seed Communion (i.e. mission camp).
As you might have noticed we have a strange date difference going on right now in our updates and that has to do with all of the interesting internet problems that we have been experiencing. Things are about to change once more on the Freedom Seed web page as we go through another change in the seasons of growth of the Freedom Seed.
The Freedom Seed Communion is being held once again this year July 1-5. We are sending out regular updates on the Communion on our Newsletter list, if you would like to receive our Newsletter please send us an contact us letting us know you would like to be added to our list.
OR go to: www.freedom-seed.blogspot.com to see the newest Freedom Seed update and to leave your comments.
We also have a new address:
Freedom Seed
44526 County Rd 3
Becida, MN 56678
We also have a new phone number, if you would like that new number please send us a request.
We are in Becida (or Solway depending on who you ask, and don't bother asking the post office because they will take either) Minnesota at the Freedom Seed cabin/base camp which has been named "The Source".
We have had web problems and e-mail problems, mail problems, banking issues... we do not have running water and recently tried to put a well in, tried is the key word in that sentence, for now the well drilling has been put on the back shelf as we get the place cleaned up and ready for this year's Freedom Seed Communion (i.e. mission camp).
As you might have noticed we have a strange date difference going on right now in our updates and that has to do with all of the interesting internet problems that we have been experiencing. Things are about to change once more on the Freedom Seed web page as we go through another change in the seasons of growth of the Freedom Seed.
The Freedom Seed Communion is being held once again this year July 1-5. We are sending out regular updates on the Communion on our Newsletter list, if you would like to receive our Newsletter please send us an contact us letting us know you would like to be added to our list.
OR go to: www.freedom-seed.blogspot.com to see the newest Freedom Seed update and to leave your comments.
We also have a new address:
Freedom Seed
44526 County Rd 3
Becida, MN 56678
We also have a new phone number, if you would like that new number please send us a request.
Back in the USA
I am now technically back in charge of our web page. For those of you who didn’t
know a good friend has been taking care of all the internet posting during our
time in Mexico, meaning… that yes, Freedom Seed is back in the USA. We returned state
side on Thursday evening. We spent a two days in Palacios Texas to pick up our
camper and to visit with some supporting churches.
We are glad to be meeting up with churches and people again and telling them of
all that God has done in the past 5 months but we can not say that our physical
bodies are as happy as we are experiencing some culture shock and our stomachs
are trying to re-adjust to the food.
Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support during our time in Mexico.
To see photos please go to: www.photos.yahoo.com/freedomseed6 and see the
album “Mexico 2006”.
We will be making fast tracks through Texas and South Dakota right on to
Minnesota. If you want to grab us on our way through please let us know, we will
be trying to visit as many churches and individuals as possible. The reason for
our fast pace is we still have to move all of our banking, ministry papers, address
and
all other such things to Minnesota and we have many many things to do before
we
are ready for the 4th of July Communion. (If you are interested in the Communion
please let us know as we will soon be sending out information but only through
our Newsletter e-mail list so if you are not on it but would like to be please
send
us a note through our “contact us”).
know a good friend has been taking care of all the internet posting during our
time in Mexico, meaning… that yes, Freedom Seed is back in the USA. We returned state
side on Thursday evening. We spent a two days in Palacios Texas to pick up our
camper and to visit with some supporting churches.
We are glad to be meeting up with churches and people again and telling them of
all that God has done in the past 5 months but we can not say that our physical
bodies are as happy as we are experiencing some culture shock and our stomachs
are trying to re-adjust to the food.
Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support during our time in Mexico.
To see photos please go to: www.photos.yahoo.com/freedomseed6 and see the
album “Mexico 2006”.
We will be making fast tracks through Texas and South Dakota right on to
Minnesota. If you want to grab us on our way through please let us know, we will
be trying to visit as many churches and individuals as possible. The reason for
our fast pace is we still have to move all of our banking, ministry papers, address
and
all other such things to Minnesota and we have many many things to do before
we
are ready for the 4th of July Communion. (If you are interested in the Communion
please let us know as we will soon be sending out information but only through
our Newsletter e-mail list so if you are not on it but would like to be please
send
us a note through our “contact us”).
Further Travel Plans
For further travel plans of all:
There will be a Freedom Seed Communion held in the north woods of MN.
4th of July weekend, 4 days, Bemidji MN.
We will be sending out more information as the time comes nearer, but for now,
block out the dates on your calanders!
Looking forward to seeing you,
Freedom Seed
There will be a Freedom Seed Communion held in the north woods of MN.
4th of July weekend, 4 days, Bemidji MN.
We will be sending out more information as the time comes nearer, but for now,
block out the dates on your calanders!
Looking forward to seeing you,
Freedom Seed
Outreach update
Things are coming along really well for the concert outreach here. We thought we
would send you all a quick note about what is going on.
It is Semana Santa here in MX (Holy Week) so everyone is on vaccations and they
will have black Friday here where they will walk down the streets in black and
barefoot carrying crosses, Mary, a dead Jesus, sometimes beating themselves.
We will be helping with a Christian camp starting tomorrow until Friday, Jasmine
and Rachel are going to be counselors and we have a late night camp fire meeting
to run, the rest of everyone will be in and out of camp.
Saturday we have our friend's wedding where Aubrey and Sharayah are maids of
honor and Jasmine will be singing.
We have found a really neat man of God to come be the preacher for our concert
outreach, we had a chance to spend some time talking with him today and we are
excited to see how God is pulling things together for this time.
Damien asked a friend of his to help out with bottled water for the concert and
as he was telling him about the outreach his friend asked him if he could share
his testimony, before he was saved he was a kidnapper! Damien was very
encouraged and so are we, God is bringing those who He wants.
The MN team will be here the 31st, we are looking forward to them coming.
School ends the 27th, we are looking forward to that, though there are lots of
tests between now and then.
Thank you for your prayers...
would send you all a quick note about what is going on.
It is Semana Santa here in MX (Holy Week) so everyone is on vaccations and they
will have black Friday here where they will walk down the streets in black and
barefoot carrying crosses, Mary, a dead Jesus, sometimes beating themselves.
We will be helping with a Christian camp starting tomorrow until Friday, Jasmine
and Rachel are going to be counselors and we have a late night camp fire meeting
to run, the rest of everyone will be in and out of camp.
Saturday we have our friend's wedding where Aubrey and Sharayah are maids of
honor and Jasmine will be singing.
We have found a really neat man of God to come be the preacher for our concert
outreach, we had a chance to spend some time talking with him today and we are
excited to see how God is pulling things together for this time.
Damien asked a friend of his to help out with bottled water for the concert and
as he was telling him about the outreach his friend asked him if he could share
his testimony, before he was saved he was a kidnapper! Damien was very
encouraged and so are we, God is bringing those who He wants.
The MN team will be here the 31st, we are looking forward to them coming.
School ends the 27th, we are looking forward to that, though there are lots of
tests between now and then.
Thank you for your prayers...
Outreach
The date for the concert is coming closer... we have now confirmed that we will
have a team of 7 people from northern MN that will be coming for a short term
trip as well as to help with the concert outreach.
Their is a supporter of ours that has asked if I would put out that every dollar
that is donated for the outreach (if you have or are donating for the specific
purpose of the outreach please drop me a note to let me know so that it does not
go into the living funds) he will match up to $500.00.
We will have a full update out here soon... we are keeping very busy and looking
forward to how God will use this outreach and the people that are coming down.
Thank you for your prayers and your support.
have a team of 7 people from northern MN that will be coming for a short term
trip as well as to help with the concert outreach.
Their is a supporter of ours that has asked if I would put out that every dollar
that is donated for the outreach (if you have or are donating for the specific
purpose of the outreach please drop me a note to let me know so that it does not
go into the living funds) he will match up to $500.00.
We will have a full update out here soon... we are keeping very busy and looking
forward to how God will use this outreach and the people that are coming down.
Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Communication
Sometimes a conversation can change your whole outlook on life, your
relationships with others and even your relationship with God. Let me tell you
about one of those kinds of conversations that we had just recently.
We were talking to some friends of ours, in Spanish, and the woman from the
couple that is living with us was telling our friends what they did in their
ministry,
well, actually, she was telling them what she did in the ministry. Our friends
kept
asking odd questions like “Oh, really? You do it all by yourself huh?” as she is
telling them how she builds houses for the poor in Ciudad Juarez. Of course, she
ended up leaving the conversation confused as to why they did not understand
that she built houses, thinking that maybe it was that they could not believe
that
she, as a woman, could build houses.
The next day we went to visit our friends and they started explaining to us
why they had shown so much unbelief and given her such a hard time. It was not
that they did not believe that she could build houses but that they say it is
impossible to do it alone, without help. They began to explain to us how nobody
does anything alone; there is always help. Even if someone was doing the primary
physical work there is someone who is encouraging him or her, someone who is
cooking for him or her, someone who is cleaning… When something is being done
even though you might only see or recognize one person, behind that person there
is many people.
That is the point that we would like to make to all of you. “We” are “us” and
“us” is “we”. All of us together, though we may be in different places of
visibility to
others we all know that it is all of us who make things possible.
I would like to tell you what we have all been a part of. (This means you)
Edgar, one of the younger members of the family that we are with most of the
time has been very curious about Christianity lately, has just recently
completed 1
month of sobriety, joined us at church this past Sunday and had lots of
questions
afterwards. Please keep him in your prayers.
Damian, our young upstairs neighbor is taking slow but sure steps in his walk
with Christ. Matthias has had a great part in all of that, so much so that now
Damian’s younger brother and friends are asking Matthias questions about faith
and inviting him to spend time with them. Keep in mind that these are gang
members we are talking about and it is not easy to earn their respect.
We accompanied Damian and Isaac (the kid who saved Damian’s life when he
tried to kill himself by busting through the glass) and it is incredible to see
God working in their lives, the steps they are taking towards Him.
Also, young people have been asking us for bibles because we have brought
Spanish bibles in contemporary language and they mostly have bibles in Old
Spanish and the young people hardly understand any of it. We gave a bible to
Damian and it has traveled to several other people already and they wanted their
own… if you are one of the people who is thinking about coming down here for a
short trip please let us know as we would like for you to bring us some more!
(We will let you know where you can get them).
Tony, Nolan and Matthias helped roof a classroom on a little Baptist church
outside of the city as well as do some cement work.
Things with Rachel are going well.
The last part of the update I have saved for a question. The question is what
are WE going to do next? Your decisions and prayers have a profound effect on
the
part of you (we) that is here in Guadalajara Mexico.
We are still aiming for the May 6th outreach with a hip-hop artist, Damien
and ourselves playing and a local pastor preaching.
What is determining our next steps is your support. We will have an outreach
either way. If the funding does not come for what we would like to see happen
then we will borrow our friend’s restaurant and have Damian and ourselves
playing
and a local pastor preaching.
To go forward with plan A, a plane ticket needs to be bought here shortly and
we need to procure a sound system and reserve a spot as well as begin to make
flyers…
Those of you who had already said you would like to support this outreach
financial please let me know by the end of this week (or during the weekend) how
much support you will be sending so that we can finalize plans and let the
artist
know how much of a “love offering” we can offer him.
Please consider all of this with prayer.
Because we love Him,
Jasmine for Freedom Seed
The “we” in Guadalajara Mexico
“The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind –
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are –
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.” -Jesus (John 17:20-23 MSG)
relationships with others and even your relationship with God. Let me tell you
about one of those kinds of conversations that we had just recently.
We were talking to some friends of ours, in Spanish, and the woman from the
couple that is living with us was telling our friends what they did in their
ministry,
well, actually, she was telling them what she did in the ministry. Our friends
kept
asking odd questions like “Oh, really? You do it all by yourself huh?” as she is
telling them how she builds houses for the poor in Ciudad Juarez. Of course, she
ended up leaving the conversation confused as to why they did not understand
that she built houses, thinking that maybe it was that they could not believe
that
she, as a woman, could build houses.
The next day we went to visit our friends and they started explaining to us
why they had shown so much unbelief and given her such a hard time. It was not
that they did not believe that she could build houses but that they say it is
impossible to do it alone, without help. They began to explain to us how nobody
does anything alone; there is always help. Even if someone was doing the primary
physical work there is someone who is encouraging him or her, someone who is
cooking for him or her, someone who is cleaning… When something is being done
even though you might only see or recognize one person, behind that person there
is many people.
That is the point that we would like to make to all of you. “We” are “us” and
“us” is “we”. All of us together, though we may be in different places of
visibility to
others we all know that it is all of us who make things possible.
I would like to tell you what we have all been a part of. (This means you)
Edgar, one of the younger members of the family that we are with most of the
time has been very curious about Christianity lately, has just recently
completed 1
month of sobriety, joined us at church this past Sunday and had lots of
questions
afterwards. Please keep him in your prayers.
Damian, our young upstairs neighbor is taking slow but sure steps in his walk
with Christ. Matthias has had a great part in all of that, so much so that now
Damian’s younger brother and friends are asking Matthias questions about faith
and inviting him to spend time with them. Keep in mind that these are gang
members we are talking about and it is not easy to earn their respect.
We accompanied Damian and Isaac (the kid who saved Damian’s life when he
tried to kill himself by busting through the glass) and it is incredible to see
God working in their lives, the steps they are taking towards Him.
Also, young people have been asking us for bibles because we have brought
Spanish bibles in contemporary language and they mostly have bibles in Old
Spanish and the young people hardly understand any of it. We gave a bible to
Damian and it has traveled to several other people already and they wanted their
own… if you are one of the people who is thinking about coming down here for a
short trip please let us know as we would like for you to bring us some more!
(We will let you know where you can get them).
Tony, Nolan and Matthias helped roof a classroom on a little Baptist church
outside of the city as well as do some cement work.
Things with Rachel are going well.
The last part of the update I have saved for a question. The question is what
are WE going to do next? Your decisions and prayers have a profound effect on
the
part of you (we) that is here in Guadalajara Mexico.
We are still aiming for the May 6th outreach with a hip-hop artist, Damien
and ourselves playing and a local pastor preaching.
What is determining our next steps is your support. We will have an outreach
either way. If the funding does not come for what we would like to see happen
then we will borrow our friend’s restaurant and have Damian and ourselves
playing
and a local pastor preaching.
To go forward with plan A, a plane ticket needs to be bought here shortly and
we need to procure a sound system and reserve a spot as well as begin to make
flyers…
Those of you who had already said you would like to support this outreach
financial please let me know by the end of this week (or during the weekend) how
much support you will be sending so that we can finalize plans and let the
artist
know how much of a “love offering” we can offer him.
Please consider all of this with prayer.
Because we love Him,
Jasmine for Freedom Seed
The “we” in Guadalajara Mexico
“The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind –
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are –
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.” -Jesus (John 17:20-23 MSG)
Guad. School Update and More
Tracy, Jasmine and Rachel have succesfully completed their levels of school! And
may I tell you... we are very happy about that. We have a week break before we
start our second set out school, we are very happy to have the break. Also,
their only concern was whether or not the would keep all their scores in the
90´s or not... so as you can see they have been fairly good students.
More that just that though, our ability to speak has improved immesily already.
Thank you to all of you who have made that possible. I would now like to let you
in on what has been going on and how some of the plans I was telling you all
about are progressing...
First, just some physical details. Most of us (Pembertons) have not been in to
the dentist in enough years that we are actually embarrassed to let you all
know... so we will leave the number unsaid. Since the prices for dental work or
so much better here (by no means cheap but MUCH MUCH better) Sharayah has been
able to go in and get some work done of cavities... Aubrey got a desperatly
needed cleaning only to find that she had multiple cavities... which will be
fixed today. Also, Aubrey has been in need of braces now for several years,
since the prices are amazingly lower here we have decided to just go for it, so
Aubrey is slowly in the process of getting braces done. Matthias has to go in
and get some cavities fixed... and Tony has never had his wisdom teeth removed
which have been killing him for the past couple of years. OK, quite a mouthfull
(literally) I know. We are really thankful that this time down here we are able
to get some emergency work done and possibly some preventative work and still be
able to eat diner! We will see how much gets done.
Tomorrow we have a missionary from Juarez Mexico coming to stay with us for a
while. We are looking forward to the time we will get to spend with him and are
hoping that this time can be a break for him as well as enjoyable.
We have another missionary couple coming next week to move in with us
and go to
their next levels of school as well.
At the beginning May we are going to have Malachi Perez (hip-hop artist)come
down from Washington state. On that first Friday we are going to have a hip-hop
concert and it looks like there will be 3 bands. We will also have a team down
from MN to help with this and to go door to door and pass out flyers... be
prayer help. Also we think we have found a young man to give a message that is
on fire for Christ. It looks like all told the whole concert will cost about
$2,000, if anyone is interested in ¨adopting¨ either the hip-hip artist hotel
stay, the sound equip, or the flight please let me know.
We feel that God is really moving our hearts in that this will be a serious
outreach to gang members or x-members that are traying to find a new way of
life. Our upstairs neighbor that I have kept you updated on is one of those, so
are all his friends. We have been greatly blessed to be able to build a
relationship with him and now his baby and the mother of the baby, his other
friends are now getting curious and asking Matthias questions obout Christ and
telling him how they try to drown their pain with drugs and alcohol, how they
can´t stop. These are young men that have just lost several friends from
drive-by shootings not 6 blocks from our house... these are young people that
have grown up ¨on the streets¨ who have run drugs, who are burried in a
depression and a hurt so deep that they try to kill themselves.
These are who we want to reach for and pray that the message through music and
prayer and speaking will touch their hearts.
Please, pray for them, pray for this event... pray for us that we would have the
words. God has given an incredible gift of feeling His compassion for these
young people. Our hearts are breaking for them, let Him break your heart for
them as well.
We attended church last night with Damian (the young man upstairs) his baby and
the baby´s mom, they are trying to work on their relationship and trying to find Christ, God really touched them last night through the service. Tracy had a chance to pray for them both and Damian was broken. We were able to take themout to dinner afterwards and talk with them.
God is growing the relationship and expanding the circle of relationships.
I could go on and on about more that is going on at the moment but I think that this is sufficient for one.
I just want to leave you with this last thought. Pray - and pray until He breaks your heart.
may I tell you... we are very happy about that. We have a week break before we
start our second set out school, we are very happy to have the break. Also,
their only concern was whether or not the would keep all their scores in the
90´s or not... so as you can see they have been fairly good students.
More that just that though, our ability to speak has improved immesily already.
Thank you to all of you who have made that possible. I would now like to let you
in on what has been going on and how some of the plans I was telling you all
about are progressing...
First, just some physical details. Most of us (Pembertons) have not been in to
the dentist in enough years that we are actually embarrassed to let you all
know... so we will leave the number unsaid. Since the prices for dental work or
so much better here (by no means cheap but MUCH MUCH better) Sharayah has been
able to go in and get some work done of cavities... Aubrey got a desperatly
needed cleaning only to find that she had multiple cavities... which will be
fixed today. Also, Aubrey has been in need of braces now for several years,
since the prices are amazingly lower here we have decided to just go for it, so
Aubrey is slowly in the process of getting braces done. Matthias has to go in
and get some cavities fixed... and Tony has never had his wisdom teeth removed
which have been killing him for the past couple of years. OK, quite a mouthfull
(literally) I know. We are really thankful that this time down here we are able
to get some emergency work done and possibly some preventative work and still be
able to eat diner! We will see how much gets done.
Tomorrow we have a missionary from Juarez Mexico coming to stay with us for a
while. We are looking forward to the time we will get to spend with him and are
hoping that this time can be a break for him as well as enjoyable.
We have another missionary couple coming next week to move in with us
and go to
their next levels of school as well.
At the beginning May we are going to have Malachi Perez (hip-hop artist)come
down from Washington state. On that first Friday we are going to have a hip-hop
concert and it looks like there will be 3 bands. We will also have a team down
from MN to help with this and to go door to door and pass out flyers... be
prayer help. Also we think we have found a young man to give a message that is
on fire for Christ. It looks like all told the whole concert will cost about
$2,000, if anyone is interested in ¨adopting¨ either the hip-hip artist hotel
stay, the sound equip, or the flight please let me know.
We feel that God is really moving our hearts in that this will be a serious
outreach to gang members or x-members that are traying to find a new way of
life. Our upstairs neighbor that I have kept you updated on is one of those, so
are all his friends. We have been greatly blessed to be able to build a
relationship with him and now his baby and the mother of the baby, his other
friends are now getting curious and asking Matthias questions obout Christ and
telling him how they try to drown their pain with drugs and alcohol, how they
can´t stop. These are young men that have just lost several friends from
drive-by shootings not 6 blocks from our house... these are young people that
have grown up ¨on the streets¨ who have run drugs, who are burried in a
depression and a hurt so deep that they try to kill themselves.
These are who we want to reach for and pray that the message through music and
prayer and speaking will touch their hearts.
Please, pray for them, pray for this event... pray for us that we would have the
words. God has given an incredible gift of feeling His compassion for these
young people. Our hearts are breaking for them, let Him break your heart for
them as well.
We attended church last night with Damian (the young man upstairs) his baby and
the baby´s mom, they are trying to work on their relationship and trying to find Christ, God really touched them last night through the service. Tracy had a chance to pray for them both and Damian was broken. We were able to take themout to dinner afterwards and talk with them.
God is growing the relationship and expanding the circle of relationships.
I could go on and on about more that is going on at the moment but I think that this is sufficient for one.
I just want to leave you with this last thought. Pray - and pray until He breaks your heart.
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