Which time zone am I in now?

After being in missions conference in Virginia, our family drove back to Michigan.

We were able to attend our mission conference at our sending church (FaithWay Baptist in Ypsilanti, MI) to give an update of our deputation and to show our updated materials (table display and DVD presentation). We were encouraged with the support of our home church.

Jon was able to fly out to Oceanside, CA the following day to attend the mission conference at Coastline Baptist Church (Pastor Steve Chappell). It was a blessing to once again be under the preaching of Don Sisk and see God work in a great way. Jon was able to minister by sharing testimony and calling, DVD presentation, soulwinning, fellowship, teaching in junior church and in adult Sunday School. We thank Coastline for the many blessings shown on our behalf and rejoice with them in the remodeling more of the church building and their love for God. Jon arrived safely back in Michigan only to fly out to Florida for a vacation time with family before attending a group of churches in Florida throughout the summer.

Albermarle Baptist Missions Conference

It was such a blessing to be with the church and see God working through the increase of their faith promise. We were able to hear Pat Creed, once again, as the special speaker for the conference. It was encouraging to have the opportunities of fellowship with the church at each of the meals, golfing activity, trip to Monticello, Missionary Birthday Party, and even an African church service. Mr and Mrs Winkey and their three legged dog (dixie) where our host for the conference, opening up their home and hearts to us. We were able to minister in the conference by sharing our testimony and calling into missions, our DVD presentation to Peru, Sunday School and morning services in the children classes, and Patch the Pirate club on Sunday Evening. We were excited to hear at the conclusion of the conference that they would be taking our family on for support and look forward to co-laboring with them in spreading the Gospel.

The Dreaded Dentist Appointment

Nisha had a dentist appointment in Slippery Rock, PA (scheduled by her loving husband), to see if they could discover what was causing so many headaches and pain in her jaw. The result was the discovery of a cavity that inflamed the nerve. It will have to be pulled out next month back in Michigan.

Our family found lodging at a mission house with the Munger Family who owned horses, goats, and cats with newly born kittens which the children enjoyed seeing.

Resurrection Day of our Lord!

I enjoy this time of the year to reiterate the Resurrection of our Lord to our children. To explain why we worship God on Sunday every week. What a day to clearly explain the Gospel to someone. It is surely a cause to celebrate and rejoice as a Christian. Our Faith is not in vain because Jesus did raise from the dead and therefore gives us assurance that he is alive.

We spent the week of Easter back at our home church in Michigan with a Good Friday Service, early Sunday morning breakfast, and Sunday services.

Feed the Birds

While traveling in Virginia, we had the opportunity to take our car on a Ferry where we were able to get out and feed bread to the birds.

March Madness

One of the things that our family has enjoyed doing together is to participate in the NCAA Basketball Tournament during March. We will all fill out our brackets and decorate the living room for good family fun. Nathan was the winner last year, but this year Mom beat us all by picking the most winning teams.

Something to Giggle About

We traveled to Virginia and Maryland to present our ministry in a couple of churches. Forest Ridge Baptist in Maryland voted to take us on for support the night we presented. We are so excited about co-laboring with them. During the week days in between churches, we were able to visit with friends in the ministry. Our friends in Virginia made a lasting impression by telling our children a new three bear story and allowing my wife and I to relax in their home. In Pennsylvania, we were able to visit David Gee at Calvary Baptist in Lansdale who took us out to the Giggleberry Fair. All in all a good trip.

March 2009 Prayer Letter

MARCH 2009

“And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.” Isaiah 48:21

As missionaries on deputation, sometimes we have to simply go where God has us and trust Him as we go. When we set out for our first meetings in 2009, we were scheduled in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida, but knew there were gaps in housing and scheduling that needed to be filled. God knew we didn’t want to travel back and forth from Michigan, so we left not knowing how things were going to work out. Sometimes that’s all God wants from us, faith and obedience, so we can learn to trust Him, even for the little things. While on the road to Virginia, we had several different Pastors call us, (for a missionary, that’s exciting!), wanting to know if we were in the area and could come present our ministry? We were in awe of God’s work as we continued to receive calls for new meetings. We needed housing between meetings and God opened up doors on the way as well, providing above and beyond anything we could have ever imagined! We returned from the trip praising God and were encouraged by the above verse in Isaiah. We don’t always know how things are going to work out, and at times it may seem impossible, but Isaiah reminds us that God can provide by whatever means He decides.
It has been a blessing to share God’s compassion for the lost sinner in many church ministries such as Awana’s, Christian Schools, Adult Sunday School classes, Youth Groups, etc. but also outside of the church in our travels on deputation. We have been able to meet some Peruvians here in the States who have expressed their joy that someone was going to their country with the Gospel.

While in meetings in Florida, we received word that Jon’s aunt had passed away after a long battle with cancer. Although we were initially saddened by the loss of a dear aunt, a favorite among many in the family, we were encouraged to know she had accepted Christ just a few months before her passing. We had prayed many years for her salvation and were thrilled when she finally made the decision to trust Christ. Please continue to pray for Jon’s family as they deal with her passing.

We are excited to report the addition of four new churches which has raised our support level to 50%! Our prayer was to have half of our financial support by the end of January. We received a call on the last day of January from a church which allowed us to see God answer our specific prayer. We ask that you would continue to pray for our support to go up as we have churches voting at the end of this month to take on new missionaries. We’re excited about the possibility of setting a target date for Peru soon!

Simply Trusting God,
The Harris Family
Jon, Nisha, Matthew, Nathan, Becca, and Katie

O death where is thy sting?

Our deputation led us to Florida churches in Febuary. The weather was much warmer than in Michigan. God miraculously provided lodging in Orlando for Nisha and the children while Jon attended a Pastors Fellowship, Missions Conference in California, and churches in Florida. It was when Jon returned to Orlando and was spending time with wife and children before the start of our next conference that he received word that his Aunt Jeannie had passed away at the age of 56 due to cancer. Jon took a plane back to Michigan to be with family and assist where needed, as Nisha and the children remained at the conference before driving back to Michigan. Matthew (10 years old) offered to take turns driving the car if mom got too tired but thankfully mom was able to make the trip safely. After spending a week back in Michigan and helping with family transitions, we now begin with our next missions conference in Ohio. Thank you to all who prayed for us during our loss of our great Aunt Jeannie. We are thankful that she testified that she trusted Christ to be her Saviour and that she is in Heaven with no more pain. This was the first death of a family member that our children had to experience. It has opened up many questions. I was thrilled to explain to them the blessed hope that she was in Heaven rather than in Hell because of God's Grace and through her faith and testimony. I was even more thrilled to hear each of our children share their own testimony of Salvation and how they too are looking forward to going to Heaven. Oh, that all would have that blessed assurance that Jesus is their Savior. It has reminded us once again that a Missionary is called to give out the Gospel.

Virginia in January

We began presenting our field in churches in Ohio and Virginia during the month of January. We immediately recognized the difference in the weather but found it funny to hear people in Virginia express to us how cold they felt with the temperature in the 30's. It was a blessing to be at Faith Baptist Church in Fredericksburg for their Missions Conference with Dr. James Ray as the main speaker. Jon had the opportunity to share our field to the Adults on Wednesday, Preschool children on Thursday, 7-12th graders in the school on Friday, 1st-6th graders during the evening service on Friday, and preaching in the Hispanic Service on Sunday. It was a fun filled conference with God overwhelming us with blessings from His people. If you are ever looking for a family friendly church in that area, it can be found at Faith Baptist. We stepped out by "Faith" on this trip that God would provide lodging for our family and fill in the missing opportunities for meetings. It has been exciting to see God not only answer our prayers but exceed our expectations. As Paul states in Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." God is revealing a time of fullness and allowing us to abound at this time in which we give thanks but Paul also was able to give thanks during the times of hunger and suffering.

God directed us to be with a host family during the conference who provided us with such understanding, compassion, and love that revealed their passion for God. Our children enjoyed the story of the three bears told by our host family (Ken & Clara Van Epps). We have heard of three churches who have taken us on for support in the last two weeks which puts us that much closer to our goal of 50% by the end of January. A week of housing in Florida was given to us which will allow Nisha and our children to have a place for lodging while Jon attends a conference in California.

While waiting for our next meeting here in Virginia it has begun to snow and will accumulate up to three and half inches which threatens all things to be shut down. We continue to do homeschooling with the children and work on our schedule for more meetings. Thank you for your prayers.

Praying in the New Year

We made it back to Ypsilanti, Michigan after driving through a snow storm in Wisconsin and dodging huge pot holes in Illinois and being stuck in traffic in Indiana who were fixing their pot holes on the highway. Our home church had a New Year's Eve service and a focus on Prayer for the New Year. We enjoyed the fellowship of our home church and participating in the many games and activities at the church. We had much to be thankful to God for this last year which makes it even easier to trust God for the new year.

A Wisconsin Winter

Our family had the opportunity to spend Christmas in Wisconsin. It was as you would expect it to be with snow and cold conditions but isn't that what winter is all about? I have been asked about Peru weather conditions many of times while on deputation. Peru has three different geographical areas in which each produce unique qualities. The desert Pacific coast on sea level is continually dry and hot, the Andes Mountains has many different elevations with heights reaching over 22,000 feet with snow peaks, and the Amazon Rainforest has rainy and dry seasons. As a family we like to play a game called "which region in Peru would you most likely find__?" (animals, houses, jobs, hobbies, people, etc.). While playing the game I mentioned where would Christmas most likely be celebrated? One of my children said in the Andes Mountains because it is the only region which has snow. Growing up in Michigan one would associate Christmas with the snow. The sad fact is that many in Peru don’t celebrate Christmas simply because they have never heard of the birth of the Son of God. Even sadder are those who have heard and don’t worship Christ as the Son of God.
It is encouraging to gather with believing family members to celebrate Christmas for its true reason. Jon’s oldest brother lives in Northern Wisconsin where some of the family decided to meet for Christmas. Twenty two people stayed in one house for a week, playing table games, recalling memories, and enjoying the many activities that the farm provides. Our children had the opportunity to milk dairy goats and than taste the difference between goat’s milk and cow’s milk. They enjoyed time with the cows, cats, dogs, and even hearing the chickens in the mornings. Our daughter Becca had a shocking experience when she fell into the electric fence while playing with the dogs.
As the anticipation of Christmas morning approached the fourteen children looked forward to all that would come, even as Christians anticipate the return of Christ Jesus. The eight adults reminisced in the joy that Christmas brings and related to the Joy of sharing the Good News with others. As the gifts were opened, we were reminded of God’s gift of sending His Son Jesus that whosoever would believe that He is the Son of God would be given life as He was able to conquer death and be raised from the dead on the third day.
Our family was encouraged by your prayers, encouraging cards, and love gifts this Christmas. It is a blessing to a Missionary to be reminded that they are never alone in ministry but that they have their God with them and other believers in prayer for them.

The Maranatha Chamber Choir

Our sending church hosted the Marantha Chamber Choir this week and it was a blessing to not only be home to attend the service but to be able to host four of the guys for the night. We enjoyed the fellowship with the four college guys as they shared their pursuits in ministry and listened to how God has worked in each of our lives.

The busy life of a Missionary in the Fall

Jon flew back to California to attend other scheduled meetings and be able to make more new contacts. It is exciting to see the new churches being planted in California who are seeking to start supporting missionaries of their own. Big or Small, New or Old: it is a joy to attend churches who are standing firm on the Word of God and seeking to reach the lost sinner whether near or far. It was a blessing to present the field of Peru at Faith Baptist Tabernacle with Pastor Rodgers who gave the missionaries a tour of Sacremento which led to the opportunity to pray in the capital building (Governor Swartzneggor was in a meeting and not able to meet with us at the time). Evangelist Ken Lynch played his many musical instruments (one being the water filled china glasses) and preached for the conference. I also presented at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Carter who had Brother Larson from BIMI as a special speaker. I was able to be in a mission conference via telephone to Germany with Pastor Pilalas who had Brother Alverson as special speaker. And, I drove down the state of California to be with Silver Valley Baptist with Pastor Abaldo who has a lively and friendly church not too far from a ghost town (as the signs on the road declared). All of the four meetings took place within seven days as the fall schedule for a missionary on deputation is so crucial as to churches emphasis on mission conferences. The winter and summer times of the year finds fewer mission conferences and more one day meetings. This makes it more difficult for the churches to get to know the missionary and vise versa.

It was good to see my sister and her family who helped me out tremendously with a car, lodging, meals, and the making and remembering of memories while out in California visiting churches.

I returned to my family back in Michigan the first week of November to see Todd Sivnksty hosting our home church revival meetings and to attend the mission conference at Grace Baptist Church in Birmingham, Michigan with Pastor Whitfield and special speaker Dr. Charles Keen.

And now to catch my breath and be sure that I am all caught up with communications. Please pray for us as we seek to schedule further meetings for 2009, raise the needed support, learn the Spanish language, and put an updated presentation together in December. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Ohio churches in the fall

Jon flew back from California to attend meetings with the family in Ohio. It is always better when we are all together. I'm asked all the time about lodging difficulties while on deputation. As we travel we find ourselves staying in hotels, homes, parsonages, and very seldom in the car. We just determined to make the best of each situation. I will say that we are getting variety as we go and neither of them has been unbearable but rather memorable. Attitude is everything! We enjoy the times together as a family in hotels. In fact, because of Jon being away from the family before and after the Ohio meetings, we decided to stay in a fancy hotel with many amenities and enjoy some time together. I love my family and do not regret the quality time spent with them. But, that is not to say that we have not enjoyed the opportunity to stay in homes where we have had some great fellowship and make new friends like Mrs. Hitchman in Butler, Ohio and the Schueller Family with their five children playing with our children in Massillon, Ohio. We have enjoyed the blessings that each has to offer. And even though we have heard some scary stories from others who travel in the ministry, we will anticipate creating some of our own stories whether good or bad as we continue "the deputation trail".

Jon has now left for more meetings out west, but we will each be looking forward to being back together once again.

California Churches

I arrived in Sacramento California on Wednesday, September 24th, where my sister Jody picked me up at the airport. She has allowed me to stay with her in Vacaville between meetings of churches out in the west. It is exciting to see God working in the churches whether they are new church planting ministries or veteran. I have enjoyed the fellowship with the Pastors over meals and worshiping God together in the services. I only wish that my wife and children could have come with me. They remained back in Michigan for better home-schooling conditions and was more prudent financially. I miss being with them.

Peruvian Mountain Village

September 2008 Prayer Letter

Dear Faithful Partners in Prayer,

We came across this song recently, and it had us thinking of our commitment to missions and the people of Peru.

Looking Through His Eyes

Let me see this world, dear Lord, as though I were looking through Your eyes. A world of men who don’t want You, Lord, But a world for which You died.

Let me kneel with You, in the garden, Blur my eyes with tears of agony. For if once I could see this world, the way You see, I just know I’d serve You more faithfully.

Let me see this world, dear Lord, through Your eyes, when men mock Your holy name. When they beat you and spat upon You, Lord. Let me love them as You loved them just the same.

Let me stand high above my petty problems, And weep for men hell-bound eternally. For if once I could see this world, the way You see. I just know I’d serve you more faithfully.

What keeps us from seeing this world as Christ does? Is it our Fear, selfishness, pride?????? If only we would heed the song writer’s suggestion, and look at lost souls as Christ does, what a revival we would have! When we get to Peru, this is the heart we hope to have. That we would see the Peruvian people, as Christ does, and that the urgency of seeing souls saved would so overwhelm us that we wouldn’t waste any opportunity to share the gospel!
We’re grateful for the opportunity to have shared our ministry with churches in South Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and Illinois the last two months. We have recently added Harvest Baptist in Hickory, NC to the list of our supporting churches and this has increased our support to 40%. We are giving God the glory for the increase and continue to pray for the day we can write to you to inform you we’ve reached 100% and are headed to Peru!
We’d like to thank those of you who have been praying for us. We’ve had to deal with our share of sickness these last few weeks and appreciate all the prayers that went out on our behalf. We are finally on the mend and getting back into the swing of things. Home school has started and we’d ask for your prayers as we once again try to juggle traveling and school, as so many other missionary families on deputation do the same. Thank you for all who were praying for our sending church and the transition of our new pastor. The church is adjusting smoothly thus far and we are grateful for God sending Pastor Estell and his family our way!

Thank you again for your prayers and support!
For His Glory,

The Harris family

Arizona in the Fall

My trip out west began by my plane arriving safely in Arizona on September 20, 2008. The cactus desert look and over 100 degree temperature for the week was clear enough evidence to me that I was no longer in Michigan. I attended a missions conference at Lakeside Baptist Church on Sunday through Tuesday. Pastor Crichton announced that fall in Arizona is where the landscape changes from brown to browner and not like the fall colors that we would see in Michigan. I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my testimony and calling into missions at the church potluck and presenting our field to Peru on Tuesday. It is a very friendly church with a love for God that is evident in their worship and service attitude. It has been good to once again be with the McCombie's (BIMI west coast representative) and Montano's (missionaries to Mexico). I am anticipating God to continue to work at this church in a mighty way. Please pray for them as they celebrate their four year anniversary next week and are currently seeking to purchase land and build a church building. They are renting space at a science center until that time. They are looking to increase their faith promise this year to be able to add more missionaries to the already twelve that they support.