Do I Really Look Like Him?

Cyndi and I have been on Little Andy duty last night and today, since Miranda has gone into the hospital for inducement for their soon coming baby Ainsley!

Well, this morning has been filled with the Disney Channel. One of the shows that we watched was called Handy Manny. While this show was on, Little Andy proceeded to say, "Manny, you're on TV." He was talking to me! You see, since Andy has been able to talk, I've been known as "Manny." Where this name came from I had no idea. I've been called many things close to Jeremiah, such as Miah, Jer, etc. never Manny.

Now I think I have an idea where Andy got the name Manny for me from. But do I really look like him? I guess I need to learn some Spanish!

The Jamaican Skatepark Update

One of the ministries that I am excited about in Jamaica is a good friend of ours...Steve has a passion for skating and has truly began a great ministry at Boston Bay. He is a member of our Jamaican church.
Here is his update:

An Update

Wow, what a week!

This week has definitely been one of excitement and much progress for 'til ZION missions!

As many of you may not know my ministry partner, John Engler, and I are in the works of an organization called 'til ZION missions that will be providing customized mission trips for individuals/youth groups/churches/families/schools, etc. Man are we pumped!

One of my desires in ministry has always to get people to see the importance of stepping out of their comfort zone and deepening their walk with Christ! I also have experienced that one of the best ways to do this is through a short term mission trip. I also think short term trips especially to countries like Jamaica helps students see needs outside of their own bubbles. And thus 'til Zion.

We know there are tons of missions organizations out there that provides trips but one thing that we believe that will set us apart from every other organization is that we are working hand in hand with missionaries already placed in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, and others that will soon follow. We aren't going down to change the countries, we are providing opportunities for spiritual growth, in the process encouraging, training, and assisting missionaries already in place in these countries. We also will be working with trip leaders from churches/groups/etc. to provide customized trips. Who better would know the needs of their group than the leaders? We will be assisting in planning from start to finish...from fundraising all the way to the end of the trip and even having a follow up service.

So needless to say the beginning stages are on the roll, and John and I will actually be going to Jamaica in April to get a few things worked out and set up.

Things to pray for:

• Pray for us as we meet and begin the process of setting up a nonprofit incorporation.
• Please pray for safe travels and for the relationships that are built upon, and the people we encounter in the coming days.
• Please pray for 'til ZION, that people will join with us...both in prayer support and financial support.

Much more coming soon...

Still in School

One of the greatest things that one of my professor's at Taylor University taught me was to never be afraid to always be a student. Meaning that we should always be learning something.

One of the things that I have really been learning the last couple of weeks is how to trust and rely on God fully. It is very easy to say yes, I believe and trust God but to actually put into practice is a lot more difficult.

Cyndi and I have been trying out a few churches the last couple of weeks and its funny what we keep coming away with. God keeps telling us, "Just trust me." Seriously, we went to two different services this past weekend on the opposite ends of town and I'm guessing the pastors don't even know each other, but what they had to say was very impacting and very similiar in nature...through their messages God kept saying, "Hey, it's going to be alright, I'll provide. I'll handle that. I'll take care of you."

Man, it has been awesome these last few weeks as we are in the beginning stages of Generations Ministries/'til Zion missions. We are pumped and know that God is going to take care of us. Please pray and if you would like to be on our email list/newsletter/updates or would like to know how specifically you can pray please email me or leave me a message.

Guest Blogger: Dwyndl Nelms

Dwyndl Nelms and his family are great friends to Cyndi and I. In their monthly newsletter, Dwyndl wrote the following thoughts...

I felt led to share a lesson that God taught me recently. It came when I was studying through the Gospel of John.

In Chapter 21 Jesus restored Peter after he had denied Jesus 3 times. He then told Peterthat he would die a terrible death. Peter looked around, saw John and asked, “What about this man?” To which Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,
what is that to you? You must follow me.”

What a lesson for a Christian’s life. I have to follow God where He leads me. I can’t worry about where He is leading someone else. It is easy to look at other people and other ministries and think, “Why don’t they see what I see?” But maybe they are seeing what God has for them and it could be totally different than what He is showing me.

I have friends serving as Missionaries around the world and each of them consider their part of the world and their Ministry to be the most important work in the world. And I feel the
same about Nicaragua, but honestly, all of God’s Ministries are just as important. God has
placed Nicaragua on my heart in a big way and that makes it more important to me, but not
everyone feels the same excitement or desire to be a part of it. Others have a calling that
is just as important to them, because it’s from God.

Don’t look at me and say, “What about him, Lord?” You follow God! And I can’t look at you and say, “What about them?” I must follow God. Regardless if others see this need or not, I must be faithful to go where He is leading me. Thank you to everyone who sees the importance of reaching Lost People in Nicaragua. Please pray for others doing what God has asked them to do here at home and around the world. Glory to God!