Shalom! Shalom!  We wish we had the great news that visas are being issued for our family for Manila…but we do not have that good news YET.  Keep praying with us!  We have been sharing the updates online regarding the continued closed door/borders for Philippines… We are confident that we are in His perfect, pleasing, and ever so good will (in Iowa!)  This prolonged season in America continues to be crazy fruitful on many levels. 

Our core-vision for empowering indigenous missionaries/leaders looks differently in America than it would in Africa and Manila, but its happening by God’s grace and great joy.  May we share a breakdown?

Jean does weekly outreach in Des Moines with two amazing local ministries, travels to empower local heroes and minister at churches (as doors open/provision allows), and serves faithfully at Heartland Church (teaching, prayer, discipleship, etc).  He is a rock-star husband, father, and resident Monopoly tycoon and Battleship commando who takes no prisoners with our girls.

Teisa does all the administration for Awaken Hearts (just the online stuff is 20 hours per week…add in bookkeeping, correspondence, reports, IRS stuff…she dreams of training others in these vital areas (reach out if that might be you!).  She serves at Heartland Church (kids and video) and also zooms with missionaries and leaders around the world at their request. Her unique heart and 20+ years of missions offers nurturing, yet challenging insight for those in cross-cultural ministry.  This is another area of surprising fruitfulness! And lastly but most important, being at home allows her and the girls to thrive in this season!  The girls love Iowa, but also long for the adventure ahead in the Philippines, so keep praying for their hearts in this whole process. 

Testimonies:

“Send me a sign!”

On Jean’s trip to New England, he was on outreach with his friend Mitch (Greater Love Ministries) when an amazing divine encounter occurred.  *Chrys woke up with intense heroine withdrawals and extreme pain.  She called out to God asking for a sign that He is real….hours later, she sees Alex (newborn believer) out witnessing with his sign.  He brings Chrys over to Jean and the team. As they prayed for her, her shaking stopped.  The withdrawals vanished.  The pain was gone. And her whole countenance changed!  A female member of the team gave her a bible, took her to lunch, and followed up for discipleship!  Thank you JESUS!!!  This is just one testimony of the many lives transformed by the power of God! 

Miracle Laptop:

Siyabonga and Dominka Mofele have a thriving outreach ministry in Krakow, Poland.  Siyabong is a spiritual son from South Africa (served with us for 5+years before launching to Europe).  On a zoom call- they shared the need for a new and specialized laptop for various ministry dreams.  In a matter of weeks, giving heroes within the Awaken Hearts network responded to this need and the laptop was purchased!  The Mofele’s are gratefully using it for His glory and we are so honored to be a part!  Massive thanks/love again to all who prayed and sacrificially gave!