August 2019
I realize we are already in mid-July and haven’t sent out a newsletter since May 21st...what happened to June?!! Let’s just say we have been “a little busy!”
Yes, these past couple of months have been a whirlwind of travel, speaking engagements, and growth. Many of you have seen our travels on Facebook and Instagram…did you realize that we’ve been in nine states in the last three months? Busy as it has been, we have thoroughly enjoyed the open doors that God is providing for us to share our story, build our partnership network, and show our kids more of the U.S. before we head to Thailand.
Highlights since our training in Colorado in May include: Visiting three National Parks [Zion in Utah, Yosemite in California, and The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina]; wrapping up our first year of homeschooling; camping in Yosemite with long-time family friends; sharing our ministry at five churches; spending time and saying goodbye to family in Tennessee; visiting with friends in North Carolina; participating in our first ABC Biennial Mission Summit in Virginia Beach; swimming in the Atlantic Ocean; attending Alise’s high school reunion; visiting with many friends; and spending a week as the missions' speakers at a family camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains (Redwood Christian Park).
As I reflect on all this activity, I think...WOW...God is amazing!!!
Over the last eight weeks, I have felt that God is challenging me to focus on JOY! I have heard the question through sermons and conversations: Where does your joy come from?
I am so thankful for this path we are on, and about the journey we are about to embark on. God is showing up everyday to provide open doors for partnerships, and yet I find myself getting frustrated at times, because I’m so eager to be in Thailand. Then, God gently reminds me that His timing is perfect...Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” If I were in charge of my steps, I would have been on the mission field 15 years ago, when God first called me...and yet I would have missed out on so much more that God had laid out for me...a wonderful husband, three beautiful children, deep life-long friendships, and immense maturing in my emotional and spiritual walk...while this journey has required an abundance of faith and patience (and continues to do so while we wait for the rest of our financial support), God is in it...His steps are meticulously planned...thus, I am challenged to remain JOYFUL as God unveils the path before me one day at a time. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The battle is real…it’s a daily choice to abide faithfully in Him...are you allowing God to fill you with JOY?
Learning to be joyful in ALL circumstances,
Alisa & Mark Juanes
PRAYER REQUESTS:
— Continued health for our family in the midst of all the travels.
— The ‘goodbyes’ to people and possessions are beginning, so please pray that we can let go of our things, and say our ‘goodbyes’ so that our hearts will be open and ready to receive ‘good hellos’ in Thailand!
— Open doors for more partnerships (both churches and individuals).
— God’s provision of our last 23% of monthly support (we are so close).
— Visas for Thailand, as there has been some changes in plans for the type of Visas we need.
— Focusing on JOY, as well as self-care, on this journey, both before going into the field, and while in transition.
We currently stand at 77% of our ongoing monthly support, so thank you to everyone who has partnered with us so far! We are praying that our last 23% will come by the end of September, so that we can leave for Thailand in October/November. If you would like to partner with us in what God is doing in Thailand, please click the link below and sign up to help us by pledging your ongoing monthly support.
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