Permeate 2014

Permeate 2014 had the theme of  Mind: Set. 

We focused on Colossians 3:1-4 but really looked at the whole chapter. This year was just as exciting as last year. My small group consisted of 9 girls ages 11 to 14. At the beginning of the weekend two of them told me that they didn’t think that they were going to learn or enjoy the weekend very much. They expressed the sentiment that they perhaps had wasted their money on the registration fee. 

With this beginning it is so exciting to give you a glowing report at the end of the weekend. On Saturday evening as they packed their bags they shared with me and with each other some of the things they had learned. 

It was so very endearing to hear these young women share with me their struggles-regarding emotion control. Most of them were very concerned with how to handle their anger in relation to their siblings, parents, and friends.  It made me think about my days as a junior high student. I don’t know if you can relate but it was hard to control my emotions. I was proud that these young women were seeking to follow Father’s way for their life. Colossians 3:8 says: “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” This sentence is easy to say but not so easy to follow. All nine of my girls wanted to know they could apply this in their lives. How encouraging to me. 

This young women told me that she thinks she learned more this year than last year and that she was really glad that she came. 

The other event that touched my heart during this year’s Permeate had nothing to do with my 2014 small group but actually had to do with how two girls from my 2013 small group have grown. My small group last year had two girls who did not get along. In fact they got along not at all. Surprisingly, they knew just what buttons to push to drive each other CRAZY.  This year as we were preparing to make roommate assignments I was shocked to see that both of them requested the other to room with at Permeate. Father truly does work in mysterious ways.  During one of the game times these two girls plus their other roommate did not show up. When I discovered them I found that my former small group girls were talking with their roommate about why they believed in Father. I almost cried. How far they had come in their love for each other and their love for Father. 

How blessed am I to be involved in these youngsters lives and not only get to witness their growth in Him but also get to impact them. 

Thank you for all your thoughts, support, and love in this endeavor in pointing young ones closer to the cross. 

This year we had some difficulty with the retreat center and we are hoping that next year these same difficulties could be avoided. If you could be petitioning on our behalf asking for good relationships and favor with these ladies: 

These three photos are of one of the stations at our Pr8yer Maze. We did a scrabble puzzle of what our relationship with Father looks like. The pictures with the green background are from Permeate and the finished brown background product is when Mikayla and I finished gluing all our words down. This will be hanging at the Youth Center for future generations to see. :)

Thailand, The Doctor, and the beach.

I recently spent what was supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation in Thailand. However, the time spent in Thailand this year was filled with stress, sickness, and confusion. I know that we all have had expectations that have fallen short of reality. When you thought the ice-cream was fudge flavored but in reality was coffee flavored. Or maybe you thought it was mint but it was actually pistachio. These days can really change how we look at the world. 

I currently am dealing with a world outlook shift. While in Thailand I visited the doctor. This is usually a big part of our trips to Thailand. Bumrungrad Hospital is a very well known for it's medical tourism. Their Yearly Physical department runs all day everyday doing health screening for people from all over the world. It is a very interesting place to people watch. I had no inkling for how much time I would actually spend time there. Many of us have been in a similar situation: Yesterday, our computer was working "fine" and now today it won't boot up.   My dental appointment was the only thing I was nervous about. But I needn't have worried because my teeth had no cavities.   The routine check up wasn't even on my anxious radar. Alas, it was discovered that I needed to have some follow-up procedures done to check on the status of my stomach and colon. So what should have been a two day ordeal turned into a three day one. At the end of it all I was diagnosed with ulcers. 

Me in the hospital prepping for my procedures. 

I was prescribed medication and was given a list of dos and don'ts. 

In the course of all this drama I began to question if the ulcers were a symptom that I was not trusting Father well enough. I began to talk to Him in ernest. Asking Him to reveal to me my sin in this area. I desire whole-heartly to trust Him in all things. Up until now I thought I did a pretty good job. I came to the conclusion that I did need to trust Him more on a daily need basis. So since I have been diagnosed every night as I lay in my bed in the dark I have been asking Him to help me to trust Him in ALL things. 

If any of you have any recipes that are good for ulcer patients or if you have specific thoughts that could give me more peace I would welcome those suggestions at DeniseJ@worksmail.net.  I never claimed to be un-broken but ever since November when I broke my toe I have felt that my bodily health has been attacked. Thankfully I know the Great Healer. Who only allows what in the end will bring Him glory. And so in this time of healing I point my face to Him and work on my Psalm 16 verse. 

My broken toe-completely healed.

Toes in the sand. 

I did get a couple days of soaking in the sun and marveling at the beauty that He has made for us. 

Official January Newsletter

As I look over my future in 2014, I am very glad that I know the one in whom my future rests. Because I realize that I am very unsure as to what will happen. There are challenges and changes occurring in this country and in the various teams I am a part of. I hope that the position that I am working in is one that lasts a while. I hope that the teammates I have invested time, energy, and love into will continue being a part of my life. I hope that the government officials who I have been working with and who have been opening so many doors for us would have favor and not be removed from office. I hope that the school I continue to go to will continue to provide me visas. I hope that I will get to come back to the States for my second home assignment in June of 2014. 

Things began with much excitement and enthusiasm last September and we had high hopes to visit lots of schools and touch many many students. But our human plans are often suddenly changed. This too is my story from the second half of 2013. I can happily report that in 2013 I taught at 7 schools. An estimated 1200 students were educated about trafficking, their personal worth, and how to be more safe.  But these numbers are far lower than we had expected.  Since about the second week of October those directly involved in this education and prevention work have been waiting on our Father. We have been petitioning Him for guidance, open doors, and healthy relationships. 

I know that many of you are involved in networking and cooperative works. It is not easy to get multiple groups of people to work together for a common good. Mostly because every group has their own vision, purpose, and ways to accomplish said good work. Sometimes the different ways or different purposes don’t seem to coexist very well. It takes good communication, time, understanding, and a lot of grace to work through all of the little and big disagreements.

 

So we have been waiting on Father to show us what step to take next. This has been a very stretching time for me. Often I have felt like I should DO something. Many days I was very conflicted in my soul. I struggled with the struggle. Shouldn’t we all just get along?  But Father is working within me a new work. I am at peace today because I know that my future is in His hand and today that is all I need.  I ask that you too join in asking Father to work in my list of hopes above. May you go forward in this new year knowing that He is in control and He is with you. 

Permeate Count Down!

We are getting so excited about Permeate. It is only 16 days away!  There are still so many things that has to happen before the 27th. 

This year we are having a pr8er maze that has the theme of Games. We will have Jenga blocks that they will use to write a pr8er regarding how to build the Flock up. We will have Decks of Cards that they will be instructed to deal themselves a hand of 5-7 and then use this to guide their pr8er. 

Ace-pr8 for themselves, King-pr8 for government authority, Queen-pr8 for personal authority figure, Jack-pr8 for a teacher or mentor, 10-pr8 for someone you normally wouldn't pray for because they escape notice, 9-pr8 for the person you most recently sinned against-pr8 for grace to forgive and forget, 8-pr8 for someone who is far away (in space or in spirit) but whom used to be close, 7-pr8 for someone who has not yet become a follower of the Rock but whom you have influence in their life, 6-pr8 for someone who works for you or you work with, 5-pr8 for someone you wish you knew better, 4-pr8 for your siblings or for someone who is as close to you as a brother, 3-pr8 for those whom you have a un broken three strand friendship, 2-pr8 for your parents. 

We will have Puzzle pieces that they will be encouraged to write their name on a piece and what they can do in the Big Picture of Father's Plan. We will have Scrabble game pieces and we will have them make a collective Scrabble word picture of what their relationship with Father looks like. We will have  paper chains that we will make and we will encourage them to pr8 for the person in the chain before them as well as those who have been pivotal in their walk with Father, as well as pr8 for the person who will come after as well as to think about those they can encourage closer to Father. We will also have a world map and encourage them to pr8 for their home country, the country we live in, as well as one additional country.  

We may choose to add additional stations as the time gets closer. I share all this information with you all because I know any communication from me is good. I hope you get a little glimpse into the Permeate Planning world. If anyone has any other good game themed pr8er stations we would appreciate it. 

Christmas in February!

Merry Christmas from the Small Group that meets at Denise's house every Wednesday! 

Okay, it doesn't always meet at my house, sometimes it is at other people's house. And I know that it is already February. I am going to be busy writing newsletters and posting blogs today. I hope that this 2014 day finds you free. Free in many ways to which I will elaborate more on later.  Today I submit to those of you who didn't get it in your mail box-Denise's Christmas letter.

Oh such Amazing Grace/A divine conspiracy/This Savior in a manger changes everything/That's why we sing/Noel, Noel, Jesus is alive-Jesus is Alive by Josh Wilson

In 2011, I was blessed to get to spend Christmas in the United States.  While I was home I heard a lot of Christmas music. Many of the songs I heard were classics. Some were new. The one that struck me so significantly was the one I have quoted above. My favorite line was not the line I quoted.  The reason it was my favorite because it speaks of the fact that when we have reached heaven all the evil and horrible things will be made right. 

The old will pass away

And we will become new (Jesus is alive)

This baby boy is making all sad things untrue

This year that last phrase is extremely potent because of all the wrong things we are battling against.  Since September we have been going into schools and sharing with the students, teachers, and administration the different risks of trafficking.  

While working with these people I have been able to see how important it is to have people in places of influence who understand and are cooperative with the goals of a project.  

Because at this time we have hit many road blocks to this kind of cooperation. The school administrators do not hold as a high value the protection of their students or that those who are struggling in school are just as valuable as those who excel.  Not that these adults want harm to come to their students or that they didn’t wish that the students who don’t excel would excel. It is more a matter of job pressure and the amount of time in one day. 

They are mostly concerned for themselves. What will help their job security and gain them more favor from their co-workers and their bosses. To do this they must help the students who do excel to SHINE to their most potential.  Although this mind set is understandable in the culture and the climate that permeates China, it is not conductive to our project or our purpose. 

Many times I have felt very angry at these school leaders and their self centered mentality. Thankfully I know that these people are suffering from the same sickness that I do.  Sin is a pandemic that affects us all. The only way we can start to live in a way that is focused on the good of others is to get the cure. Jesus is the cure.

As of yet these educators do not have the cure and so I need to give them grace. The same grace I have been given. So I intend to continue to model the love of Him who loved me first to those who don’t have that love. I am going to lead by example to care for those who are overlooked and underdogged. I am going to press on when I want to give up because I know that the joy of showing this kind of love is one that cannot be matched.  For truly Josh Wilson said it well when he sings: This Savior in a manger changes everything!!

My deep thanks and gratitude for all of you who faithfully and continually petition for me and mine. I am planning to be in the States for about four months this 2014. Mostly I will be in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. But I will have some opportunity to be in a couple of other States for quick trips or visits.   If you would be interested in seeing me or having lunch please email me at: DeniseJ@worksmail.net.   I will let you know when I will be available.   

Christmas Snow 2013

Happy Christmas!

These last few days I have experienced much joy by experiencing an epic snow here. The snow began to fall Sunday evening and by Monday there was a collection of snow that shocked and delighted many people in this city.  

One thing that struck me as people were frolicking in the snow fall and making snowmen was that there are many people in this city who are not used to such cold temperatures.  Of all the people I saw throwing snowballs and patting down clothing on little cold men, none of them wore mittens. Most of them didn't even have thicker coats than a light jacket. Some of the men and women driving in the snow were only wearing rain coats.  This city has homeless people who in the winter survive in part due to the moderate temperatures here. 

Please ask for enough supplies for the homeless this week. 

Shine School and Shine Course

Hello again. It is time to let you know what has been going on in my life. I have been in a very strange place here. As many of you know we took the Shine School Program into a rural area and began to the pilot run of the English Follow-up Program.

As the previous blog post will tell you, things went okay. It wasn't a failure but there were several situations that concerned the team.  The school we visited was a school we had been to previously. The administration's blatant disregard for the stipulations of the program along with the way the team was treated moved the larger team to spend a good amount of time re-evaluating the program and discussing different options.

This was a very frustrating and initially painful experience.  It also took a lot of time.  We finally had a time of resolution on November 18th.  Our first decision was to drop all pretense of English. Since every time we have been to this particular school we have been pressured to teach English, we had thought that giving them some English lessons in conjunction with our Shine value lessons would satisfy both our needs and theirs. However, we found that adding the English aspect to our curriculum actually made our situation more difficult.

We agreed that as a team we needed to sit down with the government official who has rubber stamped this project and re-enforce our intentions and the need for the help of the administrations we will work with. We want to ask him if he has other contacts who will perhaps understand our purpose better than the current administration does.  We desire to meet with him as a whole team, before proceeding.

However, meeting with our government contact has been difficult. So at this time the School Program is at a slight stand still. We are looking forward to pressing onward in the new year.

In-spite of this stand still for the School Project, we just finished a four day intensive of a Full Shine Course. This was very exciting and stressful. We taught all 8 sessions in four days and three of the women who attended we trained so that they could facilitate Shine in the future.  This was the first time I had been involved in training trainers.

I obviously love to teach Shine, but this time was a very special course for me because of some of the great behind the scenes things. The four of us who had gone to Vietnam to be trained (XC, myself, K, and R) all worked together on this course plus we had another woman who has been trained by R. The team work and cooperation really encouraged me and made working and teaching so enjoyable.  The group of women who I meet with on a weekly basis to study Father's Word also helped out by coming to my Christmas cookie making party-where we made cookies for one day of the Shine Course.

 I think this one was especially touching to me because it was a mix of women who were reasonably well adjusted and women who have lived part of their lives as victims. Seeing Father work through the course material as well as through each women was just very beautiful. One women really sought out the others who were vulnerable to pour into during each session.

Another women who was training to be a facilitator is the wife of a man who is laboring to bring in a great harvest and to be able to give her tools in order to open doors for his work was really lovely.  Each woman began to see that she was valued by Father.  

We also had some ladies who were really broken. It was really amazing to see their countenance change from day one to day four. At the beginning some would barely meet your eyes and by the end were seeking you out for hugs and holding each others' hands.  Father is so good. That the truth of His Word changes lives!!!

Session One: You are Valuable. Your Value doesn't change from the day you are born to the day you die. No one can make your value less by the way they treat you. Nothing you do adds to your value. These are truths that these young women have never heard.  Thank you for your part in helping these women have more of life!!