ive been delinquent

I haven't given this out to anyone, so you'll be reading this after the fact.

Sorry for being delinquent on the blogging. So much is going on. For right now I have prayer requests :)

Prayers...definitely needed! Boldness when speaking to individuals about partnering with me in sharing Christ with Belgian high school students. Open minded people and hearts - that individuals understand the dire need for Christ. Just because Belgium is not poor doesn't mean they know about our Lord and Savior. Monthly support- that He provides over and above what is needed. I'm thankful for anything and everything, enough is fine too! ;) Emotions- mine and my parents. Everything is beginning to escalate as this all becomes reality. Classes/school work- so much to do so little time. need time management, discipline, words to write papers, etc. pray for LESS STRESS!

thank you!

URGENCY

How do I help people understand the urgency?

The urgency to reach out to the young generation in Europe.

The urgency of my mission.

The urgency to have a team of people supporting me.

I can't do this on my own. I need to have a team of people commited to supporting me monthly and annually. I am focused on kids meeting Christ.

Who can help?

Please pray for individuals to understand the mission, for people to become a part of the team, for individuals to catch the vision and go in it for the Lord.

It's a leap of faith. I'm taking it, will you?

waiting

A friend posted this in another forum several months ago. Thought I would share. The prayer below is what I am praying. ~Jess

"In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." ~Psalm 5:3 b

"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." ~Genesis 50:20 a

"We heard a wonderful story from a local pastor in Uberaba. It seems that some time back, a pastor friend of his felt led to buy a van in order to transport people to church. To help pay for the van, he would remove the backseats and do light delivery work. However, the van needed four new tires, and he had no money to purchase them.
One night while at church, the van was stolen. He had been praying for new tires, and now he had no van. Some of the members of the church tried to console him by saying that it was not God's will for him to have the van. Nevertheless, the pastor had faith that God would somehow use this for his good.
A few days later, the police called from a nearby town saying that they had caught the thief and had traced the pastor through the van's serial number. The pastor immediately caught a ride to that police station. He was surprised to find his van unharmed and with a set of new tires, new backseats, and a radio installed! He told the police officer that although it was his van, the thief had evidently supplied the extras. The policeman said, 'Well, I guess that is the thief's loss and your gain.'

God turned the evil intentions of a thief into good for a faithful, prayerful pastor. He does the same for us as we trust Him to work things out for our best."
~ M &J, South America

Heavenly Father, You see the big picture of my life. I pray that you would take my experiences to make me a better person today, someone who totally depends on you. Amen.

This came from Voices of the Faithful (Beth Moore), a devotional comprised of missionaries' testimonies. Thankfully, my car has not been stolen, I don't need new tires, and I haven't had to take a second job to make the payments. But I am waiting for other things. Through this story, the Lord reminded me (again...) that I can't see the whole picture, and that He hasn't forgotten the things I'm impatiently reminding Him about. He's preparing something better--and preparing me for it--than what I think is best. Most of us struggle with waiting, but the less obvious problem is expecting less than what God is capable of... I'm impatiently waiting for Him to give me less than His best. What are you waiting for?

Tough times

My pride is broken down. I'm currently at a point of weakness. 2 Corinthians 12

9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I can't do it on my own.
I need focus. Focus on my mission, focus on God, focus on what the Lord has called me to do.

I need patience. Patience for Him to work through me, patience for my visa, patience for my departure, patience for funds, patience with others.

I need love. Love for others, love for myself, unfailing love...just as Christ loves us.

I need wisdom. Wisdom when people question why I haven't left yet, wisdom to make the right decisions before I leave, wisdom in prioritizing.

I need provision. Provision regarding funds, provisions while I am in Belgium.

I need peace. Peace about leaving what I know, peace about my visa, peace with everyone I know.

Jehovah Jirah, He is my provider. May he renew a right spirit within me.
Seeking His guidance,

~Jessica

Belgium Update

I am still in The States! Currently I am feverishly fundraising to get to Belgium.

The past few months have been filled with many blessings!

--A family on Young Life Committee in Western Prince William County is donating their airline miles to send me to Belgium.

--A friend from work is donating a cell phone with SIM Card capability.

--Friends and family have donated items to two successful yard sales.

--The Luau Fundraiser in June was a HUGE success. Thank you everyone who attended and supported the cause. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Homan for hosting, to my small group for making it happen, and to the program team for entertainment!


On August 1st, two Belgian Young Life kids, Nate and Nath came to the U.S. to serve at a YL camp in New York. Nate (left) is currently a dining hall server and Nath (right) is a grounds keeper on the Out-Door Crew Team.

Before going to Lake Champion in Glen Spey, N.Y. to volunteer a month of their time and abilities, the boys toured Washington, D.C. They absolutely loved the beautiful city and monuments. One of their favorite monuments was the Lincoln Memorial that sits on the opposite side of the Washington Monument across the Reflecting Pool.

Nate and Nath met each other in Jeunesse et Vie (JV), Belgian Young Life. They have been friends for the past three years and have grown in their faith together.

__________________________________________________

Thank you to everyone that has supported me or is supporting me. It is awesome to know that people have a heart for reaching high school students, specifically in Europe.

Please continue to pray for financial support as I must still raise $15,000. I'm praying for 30 individuals to support me through Young Life at $100 per month or 60 at $50 per month. The fundraising experience has proved to be a quite humbling and challenging one. I have faith that God will provide.

.....................................................................................

Jeunesse et Vie - Belgian Young Life

For online giving visit: http://www.younglife.org/Giving/Giving.htm

Area/number = Pereira/X2104


For donation via mail: checks payable to Young Life designated for Pereira/X2104
For mailing address...

1. post a comment to get in touch with me
2. email me
3. or send check directly to:
Young Life
P.O. Box 2090
Colorado Springs, CO 80901

Luau Party pics

It has been a while since I have written anything. I planned a Luau Party as a fundraiser for my trip. It was an awesome time. God has blessed me with an incredible group of friends. I love them. Enjoy the pictures. I will tell more soon.

CLICK HERE FOR LUAU PICS

Please continue to pray for me as I am raising support.

Exciting News!

This summer two guys from Belgium were accepted to do work crew** (see below) at Lake Champion in August! That is great! The coolest part is that Bill, Western Prince William County's Area Director will be the work crew boss. That is so neat that the boys that I soon will be involved with will be working with Bill.

The guys are going to have an awesome time! I can't wait to show them around D.C. and then drive them to Champion.

Crazy how things happen huh? Looks like I will be leaving at the end of August for sure. Maybe I will leave the 31st of August.

Please pray for my financial support. Thanks :)

**Work crew is when high school students volunteer for an entire month at a camp. They spend their days serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also do various other projects around the camp, but their main job is to serve in the dining hall. There is also something called "tawashi." A tawashi is someone who cares for the cabins. They clean and maintain the crisp, clean, look of the cabins. The ODC or Out Door Crew work the grounds. They keep up with the lawn, landscape, etc. EVERYONE DOES AND INCREDIBLE JOB. All of it is for the Lord. YL strives to have for excellence.

This week

Last Monday I was out of commission because I got this darm bug from someone on Saturday night. Come to find I wasn't the only one. There were 5 of us that got sick. I can't believe it!

Today I went to visit Melissa in the hospital. She just got knee surgery! Oh my goodness, people have to be mega strong to do that. She was all drugged up and pushing the morphine button every 6 minutes (that is the most you can have it). It was a good time spending time with her and her mother. I remember when Melissa was a Freshman and she went to camp at Lake Champion. She didn't know anyone. Now she is a Senior and preparing for college!

In place of club, tonight we played four square and kickball at the park with Osbourn and Osbourn Park Young Lifers. It was a great time. I really enjoy spending time with the kids in small group settings. It allows for us to really get to know them and hear what they have to say. Next week I will be heading out of town so everyone will meet at Cynthia and Rebecca's house to hang out. Apparently there is a huge t.v. and a pool table. I think everyone will have fun.

Mixed emotions

Good Friday, Easter.... What an awesome weekend to reflect on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wow, wow, wow. He did an incredible thing for us. I am SO thankful for the sacrifice He made.

This week has been a partial rollercoaster for me. I felt excited and sad. It is a great feeling to know that I am now free from working and will be fundraising full-time. At the same time working is what I knew and what I am used to. It is quite strange, but all in all I know God is shaping me to be who He wants me to be.

**The next door neighbor's dog will NOT STOP BARKING!!!! I wonder if the dog is OK?

a few weeks ago. glimpse of YL (wpwc)

This is a picture of Kristyn, David, and I (YL leaders) with some of the kids in Manassas after one of our scavenger hunts.

First blog :0

So, I begin my blogging today.... I only have two more days of work left and it is quite strange. I have been working at Booz Allen for almost 2.5 years now! I can't believe I won't be driving to McLean or Ballston everyday. I'll most definitely miss all the great people that I have met, worked with, and become friends with. Work is ALL about the PEOPLE!!

Stephanie and Nicki put together a happy hour for my "Bon Voyage" from work yesterday (Friday) at Caribbean Breeze. A LOT of people showed up. Thank you everyone for coming out :) What I find odd is that I did not take one single picture last night. You know me, I always have a camera everywhere I go and snap a shot here and there. Minus one tangible memory.