New Years Update 2024!

It's ironic, most people, when they think of the new year, they think about sayings like, “new year, new me” or “out with the old, in with the new” but quite honestly, we are happy with the trajectory of our lives in missions and would be more than happy if things continued the way that they are. That’s not to say that we want to stunt our growth as believers, or stay stationary… BY NO MEANS! Looking back on last year, it seems like every month there was always something to learn, wether about ourselves, about our ministry, about championing other ministries, about the nature, character, and personal relationship with our creator… the list goes on. If THAT is how 2024 will be, we’re all for it!

Last year we tried looking ahead, planning out what we were going to accomplish and do but nothing really panned out like we thought. Ideas and pre-discussed trips fell through, Japan was a solo-trip instead of a family ordeal, Hope Church closed its doors, a student didn’t graduate… But God redeemed every situation. Lessons were learned, visions were changed, hazy paths leading forward were cleared, things that looked bleak, in hindsight, started to make sense, and though times were hard, God shone through in the end.

It really puts God’s sovereignty and mercy into perspective… time and time again, through the plight of His chosen people in the past to the present day, God continuously redeems the bad for good. Having narrow mindedness only blinds us from the real work He’s doing behind the scenes. Realistically, and to that end, we may not see the work we start come to completion, we may not even see the work as being started, but every step has its purpose and every miss-step is a chance for God to do a redemptive work.

So looking into 2024, we are hopeful. We know that one hundred percent perfection shouldn’t be our expectation, and we acknowledge that the best laid plans can fall flat, but we are excited to experience how the Lord will use even those situations for His glory. 

This year we have some incredible opportunities: 

Winter:

This winter (in about a weeks time) we are blessed to have the opportunity to travel to California in an effort to support raise for our longer upcoming trip to Japan in Spring 25’, potentially as well, is the opportunity to stretch our legs as “mission builders” (Mission Builders International, is affiliated with YWAM and connects YWAM bases to individuals, couples, and families who’s “jobs” are to fill specific needs and roles as they arise.) Our eventual aim is to transition into full-time mission-builder status by fall of 2025 in an effort to assist other campuses in need of professional kitchen management, preparation, or training.

Spring:

This is one of, if not the most, exciting spring to date. In April, Ozark will be near the epicenter of a total eclipse. We will be opening up the campus as a family friendly place to camp. The hope is to make this as much of a ministry opportunity as possible. Millions of people will be flooding the River Valley area, and everyone needs Jesus. 

Spring is also the start of our Mission Adventures season (Mission Adventures are our spring/summer camps we put on for kids ranging from elementary to high school). Mission Adventures give children, and teenagers alike, the opportunity to experience what being a missionary and evangelist for the gospel is like with plenty of foundational teachings and practical applications like prayer walking, sharing the gospel to strangers, feeding the homeless, and more.

Summer:

In the summertime, Mission Adventures is in full swing, every week in July we have schools ready to dip their feet into the missionary lifestyle. That means plenty of mouths to fill with multi-cultural cuisine. 

There may be a possible staff outreach in May as well, but the details are still fuzzy.

Fall/Winter:

Last year we had two schools run simultaneously, this year we will run those same schools: A Discipleship Training School (which builds on foundational beliefs/scripture and prepares young adults for sharing the gospel to the ends of the earth) and the Discipleship Bible School (which builds on the knowledge of scripture, much like a seminary except compacted into 3 months). These two schools will run into the winter and will be primarily the sole focus of the season.

In both the Mission Adventures, Discipleship Training School, and Discipleship Bible School, the kitchen will always be our priority. After all, you can’t expect the staff to do there job at full capacity on an empty stomach! We are honored to be a cog in the greater machine of YWAM Ozarks. 

Of course, throughout the year, we will have our own “to-do” list as a family. In 2024, one of the biggest boxes we need to check off is learning Japanese, and for that matter, getting ready for one of our biggest endeavors to date, which is helping our missionary friends Johnson and Cierra Tran establish a YWAM community in Ibiraki, Osaka. There are several details and decisions that need to be sorted out and a whole lot of praying that needs to take place before we leave… it will definitely take all of this year to iron out, but it’s welcome! We are extremely excited! 

Outside of Japan, we are in the process of building a schoolie (a converted bus to home on wheels). This is in conjunction with our calling to Mission Builders INT in 2025 as a way for our family of four to travel and live away from Ozark for months at a time. For obvious reasons, we are trying to build it as cheap as possible without compromising safety and functionality. That said, if you have skills in fabrication and would love to help a family in need… look no farther, we could really use the assistance. 

Milo just turned five, so on top of our to-do list, we will be homeschooling a very rambunctious boy…please pray patience over us! 

2024 Finances (A practice in transparency):

First off, I’d like to thank every one of you who have helped contribute in this way, since everyone in YWAM pays their own way, your contributions literally sustain us and propel us further into the Lords calling, for that we are grateful. Last year we averaged around $600 and saw an increase to around $800 per month. Finances were tight at the start of the year, but it was encouraging to see that number increase and for us to gain our first California based supporter… In the end, no matter how little we had, the Lord saw us through as he always has. As we press into 2024 we would love to see another10-15 supporters come alongside the calling God has placed on our lives, This would help us tremendously in sustaining our larger family, compensate for a struggling economy/increased inflation rate, and our time overseas in Japan, which could extend longer than 3 months. It’s ambitious, but not impossible. No matter what happens, we know the Lord will always come through to make His will possible. So we ask, for those that are not financial partners, would you consider praying about joining our ministry by giving monthly to further the work God is doing nationally and abroad? We would love to have you on the team! 

For more info on where and how to give, click the link bellow:

https://www.simplyrisenministries.com/general-7

Prayer requests:

Did you know you could invest in our ministry without becoming a financial sponsor? Prayer is one of the biggest and most impactful ways you can partner with us. Not only does it effect what we do, it effects how we do our job. Sending us a small message to let us know you’ve got our backs covered in prayer lifts our spirits! 

This year, simply put, we would ask you pray that we have patience, perseverance and peace as we head into the new year, as well as good health and an unwavering trust that doesn’t fail when the going gets rough. 

We love you all and can’t wait to share the amazing works God has done, is doing and

will do in 2024!!!

Blessings to you and yours!