Fall 2023 Update

I breathe in and breathe out…

I can feel the brisk morning air filling my lungs. What a joy to have made it to this season. A year that was so full of twist and turns, yet, I can stand tall, take a breath and recognize that God has this all in His hands

A Brief Synopsis ...

About Japan:

What an incredible success! As many of you know, I spent the month of July in Osaka with my good friend and missionary partner, Johnson Tran and His wife Cierra. Over the several weeks we were there, we were able to make good contacts with local pastors as well as pinpoint, through prayer and discernment, a location and people for Johnson’s future endeavor as a missionary to Osaka in the Ibiraki prefecture. To say it lightly, a piece of my heart is definitely still in Japan, and God has put in me a desire to return. When we do (because my whole family will be there next time) it won’t be just to cast vision, no, it will be to make disciples of nations and aid in growing the legacy of Christ that will long surpass our presence there.

About YWAM Ozark Campus Life:

About a month ago we started into the Discipleship Bible School program as staff. It has been a struggle finding a way to balance an already full schedule but it seems we have managed effectively. The students are a diverse bunch, ranging from youth to senior, but all of them have a fire and desire to yearn for the truth found within the

scriptures. Being a part of their journey, watching them grow in wisdom and understanding, has been extremely gratifying and encouraging.

This is also the first time in a while that we’ve had two schools operating together. Watching the dynamic of the DTS and SBS students interactions at meals have been up-lifting, to say the least. To see them encourage and conversing with one another, in their respective walks, is a blessing to all of us serving as co-laborers in YWAM Ozarks.

We are also seeing spiritual growth in our Ozark community as Matt and Jammie Quintance lead, what we are calling, the “Evening Edition” school once a week. This program summarizes the DBS’s current teachings to about 15 students for several hours. I have heard from several of the attendees that they are gleaning an incredible amount of insight and are eager to learn at every opportunity now that they have taken a deep dive into God’s Word.

Our annual fall fest was a big hit with the local community as well. With nearly 100 people in attendance, we were able to show the love of Christ by offering a safe and friendly, missionary themed festival with faceprinting, trivia, games, archery tag, obstacle course, and hay rides to kids and teens alike.

About Life in the Kitchen:

The kitchen manages to stay afloat despite the ever present inflation which has more than doubled the cost of many daily consumables. This past month we had to figure out how to feed a total of 33 people on a budget of $250 a week. Much like Jesus feeding the five hundred, we made that budget stretch to feed and satisfy everyone WITH leftovers in the fridge for weekend meals. With our current student body, we now have 2-4 helpers in the kitchen at evening meals for a few days a week which has been SO helpful, especially with our two crazy children.

With thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching we are getting ready for the upcoming battle which we all know as the yearly Major Feasts. We are excited to tighten our aprons and cinch back our hair to make a few meals that will unforgettable!

About Home Life:

It’s crazy how fast our children grow. We look back on old pictures and can’t even remember them looking so young. And now, as we blink our eyes, Milo is off learning at our local homeschool, Brave and Kind, getting smarter everyday. Heidi is starting to crawl around uncontrollably, attempting to leap off couches and commune with us through her own language… and here we are just trying to keep up with them!

Church life has been difficult since Hope church disbanded in September, much of our church community has moved on to other places of worship, which is great, but contact has been sparse. We miss our extended family. We have found refuge for the time being at Ozark Church with Pastors, Kendal and Denise who we’ve known for near a decade, and it’s great to listen to such a sound doctrine surrounded by like minded believers.

Future Endeavors:

Nearly half-way through the school year, we are planning ahead into 2024… and boy, do we have some planning to do.

Mission Building Mid-Winter- The early part of next year, we have been given the green light to pursue “mission-building” opportunities as part of our branching out on our own and in our own capacities as chefs. If you are wanting to know what a “mission builder” is, I encourage you to check out their website @ missionbuilders.org, but in short, it’s a hub for current missionaries looking for roles they can fill within their skillsets. That said, there are many places looking for skilled cooks/chefs, but, we have to pray and narrow these down to one location for a total of a month.

Total Eclipse 2024- Ozark, AR will be near the epicenter of a total eclipse in April of 2024. With millions of people flocking to the area to see this rare stellar phenomenon, we have been tasked with not only planning events and camping sites for tourists, but also organizing local outreaches, evangelism, and food distribution to those searching for something greater… or someone…you know, like the one who put the stars and planets into motion to cause such a spectacle? This will be a huge event, so if you’re looking for something to do in the month of April, let me know!

A MASSIVE THANKS!

We just wanted to take a moment to say a resounding, THANK YOU to our supporters and prayer partners! It has been a long hard season and, we'd like you to know, your prayers are felt. And a huge thank you to our financial partners whom, without your giving, we wouldn't be able to continue doing what we do for the Kingdom!

We love you all, and pray that the LORD blesses you as you've continued to bless us! Peace to you and yours!

-The Kellers