Thoughts from Kara...

Last month I traveled back to Missouri for a wedding of two young adults I had in Children’s Ministry many years ago. The young man was even the ring bearer in our wedding! While I was in St. Joe I stopped in to surprise a dear friend and Bible Study teacher I had while I worked at the church there. I knocked on her door and when she opened the door she was indeed surprised.

She said,”I didn’t think I would see you till we were dead!” Her way with words has always made me smile! As I walked into her room at the assisted living facility, I saw her table filled with her Bible, and many other books and commentaries. I knew she had been studying to teach a Bible Study class. She typically spends around six hours to prepare. This amazing 93 year old woman is still in the trenches studying God’s Word to share with others. Her heart for the Word and for people being discipled is incredible. The class that she was preparing to teach was on prayer. This saint is also a prayer warrior. She told me that recently she has started journaling her prayers and then going back to see how God has answered them. 

She was saddened by the fact that she would no longer be able to financially support us, which she has been faithful to do since we became missionaries. I reminded her that her prayers were most critical in the ministry we have been called to do. I also told her that a church had made a one time gift that covered her gifts and that God had already provided.

Talking with her was water to my soul. It reminded me that God can and will always use us if we are willing to be obedient regardless of how old or young we are. I am blessed to have been able to learn from her and call her friend.

Ministry Update

In June and July we were blessed with the opportunity to take a Sabbatical. After eleven and a half years on the mission field, our board agreed that it would be beneficial for us to slow down and rest a little.  During our Sabbatical we had the opportunity to go back to the Midwest and spend a week at church camp. It was so refreshing to spend time with our friends in ministry. Two weeks of camp blessed us with a $3,000 offering. After camp we were able to spend some time with family in Iowa and Nebraska.

Back in Arizona we were able to slow down and focus on our relationship with God and with our kids. Tory was able to go up into the mountains a couple of times to read, pray and journal. It was a much needed time of refreshing.

During the end of July we hosted one short-term ministry team from Community Church Big Bear in Big Bear Lake, California. First Baptist Church in Scottsdale blessed us with their VBS curriculum and supplies and the team from Big Bear helped us provide a VBS experience for the kids in Moonbase. The team also painted the home of an elderly gentleman who recently lost his wife of 35 years. We were able to serve him and spend time being Jesus with skin on for this hurting man.

Ministry Update

In March and April, 3:18 Ministries hosted short-term ministry teams from Cornerstone Community Church in Nowata, OK; Foothills Community Christian School in Great Falls, MT; Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach, CA; and Knott Avenue Christian Church in Anaheim, CA.

These teams worked on various projects throughout San Carlos. Many hours were spent working on Daphne’s house. The floor was prepped with an underlayment and then tile was laid throughout the house. All the interior walls were painted to add color and to make the house a home. Daphne’s kids were able to pick an accent color for one wall in their bedrooms!

These teams also served at a church in San Carlos. We have a long standing relationship with the pastor of the church. Heading into Easter the church grounds needed to be cleaned before services. We were able to clean the grounds, clear an area on the hillside for their Easter sunrise service, and put up a new cross on the hillside. The cross can be seen for several miles!

 

We were also privileged to serve the Tribal Youth Home by purchasing and building a cedar playset for the children. The staff and director have expressed their gratitude over and over again. It is a beautiful addition for this wonderful facility. We are especially grateful for those who contributed to this special project.

The team from Knott Avenue Christian Church was able to assist some good friends of ours by cleaning their yard and building a memorial rose garden in honor of our friends’ grandmother who passed away recently.

For pictures of these teams and projects, check out 3:18 Ministries' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/three18ministries

Ministry Update

In February, 3:18 Ministries hosted a short-term ministry team from Olathe Christian Church in Olathe, Kansas. The team from Olathe Christian Church built a new storage shed at the San Carlos Tribal Youth Home. The old metal storage shed, which housed important records and supplies, was leaking water and the front doors would not close correctly. The Youth Home is a Tribal run group foster home and emergency shelter. For just minimum wage, the staff of the Youth Home cares for these precious children who are in a difficult situation. When funds run short, the staff will use their personal finances to purchase the necessary supplies.

Tory and Kara’s first short-term mission trip to San Carlos was in 2001. They spent their week serving at this very same Youth Home. Relationships have been formed and strengthened over these past 14 years. In 2015, 3:18 Ministries is focusing on serving the Youth Home through service projects. We are hoping to remodel several of the bathrooms which are in rough shape, build a new playground, and build another needed storage shed. These projects will take extra funds. Would you prayerfully consider a special gift to help 3:18 Ministries serve the staff and children at the Youth Home? Donations can be sent to 3:18 Ministries’ post office box. Please attach a note indicating your gift is for the “Youth Home.”

The team from Olathe Christian Church also helped us host an Afterschool Bible Club in Moonbase. The children are remembering the lessons from day to day. God’s Word is being planted in their hearts. We are so grateful for our short-term ministry teams!