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From “Don’t touch me” to bearhug!

In early August, Jean went to Kraków, Poland, to serve/encourage Siybonga and Dominka Mofele, speak at Iris Europe Family camp, and lead/equip a team from 7 nations for street outreach. Sunday was the last day of evangelism for the team. Jean just finished preaching the Gospel in the busy bus station and felt led to pray for people needing healing in their bodies. Jack, a middle-aged Polish guy, had been listening to Jean and went forward for prayer. Jack’s left leg had intense daily pain for over four years. Jean asked him if he could place his hand on Jack’s leg. “No, but you can pray.” Jean grinned and started to pray/preach without touching him. Jean asked if he felt any change. Jack shrugged, “Not really.” Jean then shared the story of Jesus and the blind man that received his healing after Jesus prayed a second time. So they prayed again. Nothing.

Jack seemed to lose interest and wandered away. Jean and his translator, Olga, continued to chat. Moments later, they see Jack excitedly jumping up and down. Then Jack ran over to Jean and gave him a big bear hug. He joyfully chattered in Polish while giving Jean two more hugs. Jesus encountered Jack by healing his leg and his heart by calling Jack back to an authentic, intimate relationship. What a memorable moment to conclude an epic Kingdom assignment!

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Jean’s South Africa trip (April 2022)

Shalom, Shalom amazing global family!  What an amazing few months to recap!  We trust the testimonies from Poland/Ukraine inspired and blessed you….The same theme of Kingdom family resounded during Jean’s recent trip to South Africa and Eswatini!  From teaching at a home group and the Bible school in Backdoor, visiting with old friends, watching a spiritual son get restored, and preaching at conferences- our Kingdom family was strengthened, transformed and many were baptized in the Holy Ghost! As missionary mentors, we are especially humbled and blessed to see the thriving work in Eswatini (Swaziland).  Andy and Sweetness Huber worked with us for years in South Africa before being launched to pioneer a new work in Swaziland in 2018. In their own words, this is what Jean’s visit meant to them:

Jean has impacted our lives in many ways. From day one he was very honest to us and did not shy away from speaking the words that needed to be said. In times where most people doubted us, he was the one who trusted God in us to take us to new levels. He still calls us after years apart and displays the heart of the father is such a beautiful way. We were honored that he came to see our work in Swaziland and we will never forget the good time we had. He loves to talk about Jesus and is a true warrior. Our Spirits are uplifted and our hearts awakened.  Andreas and Sweetness Huber

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Ukraine/Poland Response (March 2022)

This is an hour for Kingdom advancement. And how we advance is just as important as the ground we take. Biblically, a favorite context of advancement is family (Abraham, Joseph, Paul, and etc).

When war broke out in Ukraine, it was crystal clear how to engage (for us personally). The Mofeles (spiritual son Siyabonga worked with us for 5 years in South Africa and Dominka has been mentored by Teisa for past 3 years) are missionaries in Kraków, Poland- only 3 hours from the Ukraine border. They instantly sprang into action with border ministry and logistical support for churches in Ukraine. Mobilizing prayer and support for them was critical. But more was needed. Teisa flew over to Kraków for an amazing time of pouring into this precious couple (and their team) as they poured into the souls flooding their city. By spending time in His presence and together- God released rhythms and long-term strategies for Iris Kraków to keep advancing.

There is no competition in Kingdom family. Everyone has a vital role. We depend and champion each other within the body with Jesus as the head. “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16
May we all take our places in prayer, family, and advancement of His Kingdom. May the Christ in YOU be the hope of Glory wherever He leads! And thank you for everyone who prayed and sacrificially sowed into Mofeles and Teisa’s trip! YOUR part is just as vital and powerful! Dziękuję bardzo!

Favorite ‘Stop for the One’ testimony from this trip:

We got to pray and prophecy over a dear Ukrainian sister who was away from her home when the war started. She had to go into hiding with her family in her sister’s clothing- never being able to return home. Being a strong believer, she instantly went into action caring for those around her. She served in various ways in the Ukraine until the Lord spoke, “Poland.” She made the journey by faith and someone connected her with Dominika Mofele. Members of the Iris Krakow team picked her up and rushed her to a dentist, before bringing her to the accommodation they arranged for her.
That evening, she shared her story before we prayed and lavished some love on her. With tears in her eyes, she spoke of longing for family and God sent us…

The next day, she met us downtown at street church and gave her testimony in Ukrainian for those coming off buses. She is currently serving with the Iris Kraków team for a time as the Spirit leads!

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Christmas 2022

We can hardly believe 2021 is almost done?! Another year of contending for the future while being faithful in the present. It’s a pregnant tension. Tis the season to be like the Jesus in Mary….Full of hope and full of discomfort. May we respond in the same way, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty one has done great things for me, holy is His name!” Luke 1:46-49

We often ask the Lord what fruitfulness looks like in this season…this is how He led us, plus a few family highlights:

  • Iris Global gatherings/trainings
  • Jean’s ministry trips to NE, OK, TN, CT, MA, PA, NY, IL, FL, VT, and SC.
  • Mofele laptop (blessing a young missionary family that we mentor with their dream laptop (Mac powerbook with all the bells and whistles).
  • Served as a family for Heartland’s VBS which raised $750 for outreach which was sowed into the next testimony!
  • We came alongside Kingdom Life Family Ministries (Des Moines, Iowa) with their evangelism team. It was such an honor to help them launch their monthly outreach program which continues 8 months later!
  • Family vacation in Florida where the girls attended Revelation Church’s Arise Kids camp and were powerfully encountered by Holy Spirit!
  • We moved into the Honey House in late Aug. We are so grateful for His abundant provision and the incredible Kingdom connections of Kataloma/Honey Bee Ministries Iowa. https://www.honeybeeministriesiowa.org
  • Legacy Ministry College launched on Aug 30th! Teisa serves on the board of this tuition free Bible college that is making disciples of the nations with academic excellence and Holy Ghost power. Please reach out to us for more information!  https://legacyministrycollege.org
  • Teisa also serves as an advisor to Project Ablaze (missionary mobilizers in Asia- mostly in the Philippines). What started as a monthly meeting has blossomed into weekly training and one-on one mentorship with a growing team.  https://projectablaze.weebly.com
  • Zoom missionary mentorship keeps multiplying! Freely we have received, freely we give. We wish we could share some of the testimonies, but we need to protect and honor these precious laborers who trust us with their journeys. We are serving missionaries in USA, Middle East, France, Poland, Norway, India, South Africa, Eswatini, Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, Australia, and Philippines.
    We have preached the Gospel, discipled new believers, and encouraged and empowered churches, leaders, and missionaries around the world! Keep praying with us for long-term visas and provision for our Asia hub/home in Manila!

Celebrating another holiday season in America is an unexpected gift from Him and we are grateful. And what makes it really so special is YOU! Thank you for being a gift in our lives. Please send us your Christmas cards and ways to pray for you. May His presence and presents overwhelm you as you seek Him and reflect His glory. Merry Christmas from our tribe to yours!

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Fall 2021 Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the cloud…
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In the Old Testament, the people of God followed the cloud of His presence by day and His fire by night. This theophany has always been very special to our family. Jean loves to say, “Cloud is moving” when he comes and goes. But all joking aside- we want to boast on King Jesus! As we continue to wait on open borders/visas to the Philippines, an amazing couple, Mark and Melissa Doll, shared with us their amazing vision for Kataluma (which is the Greek word for guesthouse, inn, or dwelling place.) Their vision focused on housing for missionaries while on furlough and rest/renewal for pastors and those in full-time ministry. After much prayer, God provided an RV for the Dolls and they invited us to move into the Honey House in Lynville Iowa. Over two weeks ago, we settled into this absolutely stunning home (girls each have their own rooms and Jean/Teisa have an office)!

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you (God) and we have given only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

Such an example! Join us in praying abundant blessings over the Dolls/Kataluma/Honeybee Ministries!

More Testimonies!

Last Saturday, Jean had just finished a funeral and was on his way to surprise some outreach buddies, when he was badly rear-ended. After being rushed to hospital, he was able to leave within hours (nothing broken) but some pain in his neck and back. We welcome prayer for complete healing and quick/favorable resolution regarding the car (the totaled car belonged to Teisa’s father Roger Miller. He generously blessed us with two cars in the season, so now there is one.) We have what matters! We have Jesus. We have each other. We have another day to preach the gospel and advance the Kingdom!!!
Our amazing Kingdom family in Chicago launched a FREE Bible College that is making disciples of the nations with academic excellence and Holy Ghost power! Check it out and talk to Teisa if LMC is for you!
https://legacyministrycollege.org

Another exciting opportunity is partnering with Project Ablaze- a missionary mobilization movement in the Philippines. Teisa has joined the Advisor Board and will mentor/coach young missionaries mostly from the Philippines! Pray for Project Ablaze and adopt an ingenious missionary!
https://projectablaze.weebly.com/p4n.html

PLEASE PRAY!
* Sept 25th- Puerto Rican Fest Outreach in Chicago, IL- we would love to join our friends in Chicago for this day of fruitful family outreach. We have to keep it tentative as we press in for Jean’s back to be healed, so pray with us!

* Oct. 5-14th Jean’s trip to New England

* Oct. 9th Greater Love Outreach in Springfield, MA

* Oct 16th Jean’s spiritual mother- Corinne Benefield’s Celebration of Life in Ten Mile, TN

* October/November trips are still prayerfully coming together since our launch to Manila is delayed. Please reach out if we can bless your church, ministry, or small group! teisamarie@gmail.com (mailto:teisamarie@gmail.com)

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers!” Gal. 6:9-10

For more testimonies- follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/teisa1/ and https://www.facebook.com/awakenheartstribe

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Summer 2021 Update

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!

 

 

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Spring 2021 Update

Lets be real. Transition is hard, uncomfortable, and messy. Ask any new mother in labor. The days of simply being pregnant are over…but the baby has not fully arrived. Transition. The critical time full of pain before the promise. Navigating this season requires focus and determination. Many of you are in this same place with us. Wanna hear some of our transition tips?

1. Center your heart on Jesus. Remain focused on the prize! Diligently seek Him daily and minimize distractions. Deal ruthlessly with any sin. (Heb 12:1-4, Matt 6:22)
2. Comparisons kill. Comparing your journey to others or even past seasons can foster strife, frustrations, envy, etc. Recognize it in seed form and get rid of it before it wreaks havoc in the garden of your heart (Gal. 6: 4-10, James 3:14-16)
3. Consistent community and accountability. Make sure you are strongly connected to a church/Ekklesia which lives/preaches the Word of God (Heb 11:24-25). Lone ranger believers get attacked relentlessly by the enemy (1 Peter 5:8). Pursue life-giving community by providing it and seeking it out. Secure good accountability from both mentors and godly friends (Prov. 15:22; 19:20; 20:18).
4. Cultivate joy and peace in the present. Rejoice fully, guard your peace, and be in the moment. Philippians 4:4-9

We love and bless you family. For all those in transition like us- we are praying and standing with you! Reach out by text/email- we love connecting in deeper ways than this broad communication. Lets finish this race strong! Jesus is KING!

From 70F to -7!

We continue to do weekly outreach ministry. What a sharp contrast from one Saturday in Florida (balmy 70F) to Wednesday outreach in Des Moines (-7 with windchills -20!). Regardless, Jesus is worthy and the harvest is ripe! People are being born-again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and discipled! Keep praying for open doors and open hearts!!!

** March/April:
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We continue with prayer and kids ministry at Heartland, weekly outreaches, ministry to missionaries/spiritual sons/daughters around the world via zoom/ FaceTime, but we would
love more ministry opportunities in Iowa/NE in March! We are excited for the Fervent Hearts Conference (March 12-14 at New Beginnings Worship Center, Bellevue NE). Join us if in the area!

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Christmas 2020 Update

We love Christmas. We love the countdowns, gatherings, food, music, and outreaches. More is squeezed into our calendars, budgets, and bellies than ever before. We need extra time. Extra food. Extra resources. Extra strength. Going the extra mile requires us to press beyond our ordinary…

Jesus – the ultimate Christmas gift. From the most humble of beginnings, Jesus came to show us the way. “When the extraordinary compassion of God our Savior and his overpowering love suddenly appeared in person, as the brightness of a dawning day, he came to save us.” (Titus 3:4-5). Jesus, our perfect Savior. Our extraordinary example of love, joy, peace, and so much more!

But we are not Jesus. We remain so far from His perfection. But remember that Jesus chose YOU to be His Bride and His Ambassador. What Jesus sees in you is EXTRAORDINARY! To Him, you are beyond lovely, wonderful, and worthy. It’s pretty simple. All He wants this Christmas is you. And everything you need this Christmas is found in Him (2 Peter 1:3).

We are keeping it simple this Christmas. Spending time in His presence and then being His present to a dying, lost world. May it be the same for you! We are so grateful for your prayers, faithful support, and love. We will never forget 2020. Good, bad, and ugly/glorious- we press on. As the Moravians used to say, “May the Lamb receive His reward for His suffering!”

Prayer for America
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Very purposeful intercession continues at Heartland….Jean joins with the 25+ fellow prayer warriors several times a week! We will see God’s breakthrough for America- keep pressing in!

Recent Outreaches:
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A favorite family tradition at Christmas is making candy bags for outreaches. The girls love making them and praying for people to come to Jesus. This week Jean and Ed (Grace Spirit Ministries) were at Hickman Flats in Des Moines, giving out the candy bags and boxes of food/milk while sharing the gospel and praying for the sick. It’s such an honor to be His hands and feet in this vital hour in America. We hope to do another round next week as a family- pray with us!!!

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Latest update

2020- a year for the books, aye?! Trying to sum up such an unprecedented season is impossible, so lets back up a bit…

After an amazing season of rest and book writing in 2019, God began to reveal His will for the next season our family. Early on Christmas morning, God spoke clearly, “Awaken hearts to know me! Call sons and daughters into their destinies.” We started 2020 wrecked by this mandate and seeking Him for the specifics. The Holy Spirit led Jean to travel to Manila, Philippines in February where we received confirmation to begin a new ministry center training indigenous missionaries/pastors, but also in reaching other unreached countries in Asia.

During the pandemic pause, we prayerfully moved forward with His vision for Awaken Hearts (AH). Blessed by our covering organizations (Iris Global and MIA) and advisors, we incorporated AH and submitted everything for non-profit status. A few foundational milestones moved painfully slow but as we obeyed, breakthroughs followed. Awaken Hearts is now fully operational with tax- deductible status, an amazing board, new website, etc.

FB prayer group: Nicole Tribe in the Nations Follow us on Facebook- AwakenHeartstribe Instagram: TeisaJean Nicole

With borders still closed to the Philippines, God has led us to Urbandale, Iowa to come alongside Heartland Church with their mandate of prayer for the nation. However, we continue to travel as He leads (so contact us if you want us to come!) We have set our hands to the plow in the great harvest here in America. Personally, we have seen more people come to Jesus in the past 6 weeks than the past year. With great unrest in our cities, comes great opportunity. May the Lord open our eyes to the harvest fields before each of us.

We wish we could tell you the exact launch date for Manila, but we wondrously do not know yet. But He does and we have perfect peace that He is preparing the way. Till then, we are humbled and honored to be in America during this critical hour. “Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe… Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3: 13-14

Whatever happens- Jesus is King. May we all take our places in prayer and purposeful advancement of His Kingdom. May the Christ in YOU be the hope of Glory wherever He leads!

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