Sligo Baptist Church in Maryland

Sligo Baptist Church in Maryland has recently been added to our list of churches co-laboring with us. We enjoyed the opportunity to present our testimony, calling, and field. We also had the privilege of preaching, fellowshipping, and building friendships during our time in Maryland. Pastor Corrigan, a BIMI church planting missionary, was very kind to us in allowing our family to stay at his house. Our children enjoyed playing with his children in the tree fort in the back yard and the boys remember playing basketball as well. Katie, who almost fell from the tree, will remember when Quinn rescued her from the broken tree limb. Nisha and I will remember the outing into Baltimore where we ate dinner at a Brazilian Steakhouse (Fogo de chau).


Upon the news of Jon's brother, who hit a deer recently with their van while traveling at dawn, it reminded us once again to be thankful for the many traveling mercies that God has given us, including the trip to Maryland.

Two Bikes for One Soul

Deputation has us traveling and away from our mission house back in Michigan. It has been a blessing to have a place we can call home. Upon returning from a recent trip, my boys noticed that their bikes were missing from the garage. As I approached the garage entrance, I noticed a muddy footprint where someone had kicked in the door. The two boys bmx bikes were stolen.

Our boys first response was "Who could do such a thing?" along with disappointment of not being able to ride them. I had my suspicions of who done it and began following up on the clues left behind. I approached the young teenagers and their parents about the possibility of getting the bikes returned but was made aware of them being passed on to someone else already. One parent reprimanding her son and requiring reconciliation to take place and another parent admittance of losing control of her son and seeking to have son sent to jail for even other crimes, I began to pray to the Lord as to how to handle the matter of the stolen bikes.

It seemed as if God was allowing this incident to happen for a reason. This gave me a chance to share with our children that all the material possessions obtained in life belong to God. We have been given things for a purpose. As the boys began to reflect on the many blessings of God, they began to play with other toys rather than get bitter at the ones missing.

Later that week during our family time we were talking about God's forgiveness offered to us for our sins debt in which the boys replied that they wanted to forgive those who stole their bikes from them. I took our oldest son to see each of the boys. As I talked to the parents and explained God's Forgiveness toward us and how we would not be pressing charges but willing to forgive them, I noticed my son talking to the boys individually as well. My heart softened even more when I looked across the room to see my son walking through a tract with the boy and seeing them pray together to God. My son praying to forgive as God has forgiven him, and the boy, who earlier stole his bike, was asking God to forgive him for his sins and to save him by putting his faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for him. As the boy and my son concluded their prayer, I notice them give each other a hug and fist bumped to their friendship.

We never fully understand what God is doing when we are wronged but may we never lose faith in knowing that He is in control and knows what is best. At the end of it all, we look back and thank God for the stolen bikes which led to a soul being saved.

Birthday's in June

There are many birthdays in the Harris Family in the month of June. June 1st is Jon's Dad; June 2nd is Jon's brother Rory; June 3rd is Nisha's; June 12th is Jon's nephew Sean; June 14th is Jon's mom; June 22nd is Jon's birthday; June 27th is Jon's nephew CJ. We received word that Jon's sister, Renee, delivered on June 5th her fourth child named Amelia Jeanne. We find ourselves celebrating multiple birthdays together on one designated day. Jon was sure to find a babysitter for our children to be able to take Nisha out on a special date to make her feel special for her birthday. We thank all of those who sent cards and wishes to her. We cherish the times we can spend together.

Church Meetings and Family Time in May

We have found ourselves spending a couple of weeks in meetings close enough to be able to stay at our home. This allowed us to spend some time with family members who are realizing our departure time is drawing closer. Nisha and girls where able to go to Chicago with Aunt Heather and spend some fun time at the American girls store and Navy Pier; while Jon and the boys spent time with Jon's brother and his mother at the Toledo Zoo. Many fun moments took place at each which will be remembered and cherished.

As a family, we've been able to present in Indiana, Illinois, and will be finishing this month in Maryland. Jon appreciated the opportunity to set up a table display and attend the Pastor's conference in Rockford, Illinois.

We are at 95% of our support and must meet the criteria of the full 100% and have passage fund secured before approval of purchasing tickets and setting specific target date. If criteria is met by June than we can further pursue August departure but if not met by June than it will be a January departure. Please pray with us that God will allow us to depart in August.

Indiana Meetings on Mothers Day!

We had the joy of returning to two areas that we had previously lived in at the beginning of us serving in full time ministry. The first church was Calvary Baptist in Lapaz, IN which is pastored by Ryan Wardlow, who was a teenager when Jon was the youth pastor in Plymouth. It was a blessing to see him in full time ministry today. Our children will remember the church as the one with eight little bunny rabbits found in the grass at the church. What excitment that brought.

The second church was Dyer Baptist Church in Dyer, IN where we attended as members back in 2000. Pastor Atkinson has been a tremendous example of a compassionate Christian. What a delight to be able to present our calling of church planting in Peru with these two churches. Once again, God provided safety in traveling, food, and lodging for our family during this trip to Indiana.

May 2010 Prayer Letter

Dear Fellow Laborers of the Gospel, May 2010

We returned back to our sending church for their mission conference and had opportunity to give an update and preach. We have just completed a busy spring schedule filled with good mission conferences. Over two months of meetings and only seeing our support increase by one percent left us reluctant to report our percentage in our prayer letter. However, within three days of writing this letter, God has saw fit to allow us to hear from a group of churches who voted to support us which has increased our support level to 95% and has rejuvenated us to consider packing up for a sooner departure. Praise the Lord!
We had an opportunity to sit down with our Pastor to express our desire and urgency for departing in August. This would allow us to attend the fall semester of language school in Costa Rica. He was thinking that it would be in January of 2011, but with God providing the surge of support and showing the possibility of it happening in August, he was thrilled to entertain the idea. We are scheduled to meet with our deacons on May 25th for final approval from our church and June 28th for the exiting meeting with our mission board before we purchase our tickets. So much to do before August! It seems as if someone has given us a huge push down a steep snow hill on a sled. We have responded with tears of joy and are overwhelmed with the excitement. May God be praised for all He has done!
We will be purchasing Rubbermaid containers to begin packing items to take with us. We are watching prices for tickets and are considering taking extra baggage with us on the plane so that we would have it available to us in Costa Rica and in Peru while avoiding shipping a container altogether if possible.
Please pray for us to raise the remaining support needed, see God provide the funds for exiting, homeschooling to be completed, passports for children, packing, meetings, traveling, and all the other details that we must meet to have a smooth transition.
We rejoice in the Lord for providing each of us with good health these last two months and safety in our travels. We have been encouraged to see our children’s desire to share the Gospel. Our son Matthew was able to lead a neighbor to Christ and Katie is praying to lead one to Christ on her own. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We pray that fruit will abound to your account as we faithfully serve together for the sake of our Savior’s name.

Jon and Nisha Harris

No place like home, Michigan!

We put over 3,000 miles on the car in the last two weeks getting to our meetings. What a blessing to be able to attend, update, and preach back in our own church for their mission conference, which is looking to be our last with them before our departure. We have been earnestly praying to depart in August of 2010 for language school and have seen God reveal more to us of that possibility this week.
What a blessing it has been to see God working in and through our children. They have been in some good mission conferences this Spring which has burdened them to lead Souls to Christ. Katie has been praying for the opportunity to see God allow her to be used to lead a Soul to Christ. Upon arriving back at home, Matthew, led a neighbor to the Lord who came over to play some basketball. Jon was able to do some follow-up. Praise the Lord!

Serving God in Pensacola, FL

We made it to Pensacola, Florida to attend the mission conference at Smyrna Baptist. There was no time to do home-schooling this week because of the overwhelming blessings bestowed upon us as a family. We had home cooked meals prepared for us at the church; which beats fast food on the road any day. There were church activities during the day to provide fellowship with the missionaries and the church members. I had the priviledge of taking my oldest son, Matthew, golfing for the first time; Shopping was provided for the ladies; Skeet shooting provided for the men; and a roasted pig for the banquet (not guinee pig like in Peru). Jon was able to present our calling and share his testimony in the church. Our DVD was able to be viewed after much deliberation to get their projector to work. Jon was able to preach in Sunday School and Junior church on Sunday. What a blessing to see the Holy Spirit working in hearts as decisions were made throughout the conference.

New York, New York

We were able to have lodging at Hudson View Baptist in Yonkers, NY. Our time there provided us opportunity to get home-schooling accomplished, preach in their school, preach in the church, and visit New York City. We were delighted to be able to visit the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Time Square while in the area. It is a blessing to reveal to our children the many blessings God gives while serving Him.

Our second meeting took place at Wilton Baptist Church in Wilton, NY. What a fellowship and joy to meet those at the church in which gave us such encouragment. Their hospitality toward us was appreciated. We were thrilled to see what God was doing in the church.

We departed from Wilton, NY on Monday morning toward Pensacola, FL to attend our next missions conference.

Honking your car horn!

We have just spent a little over a week near New York City where we heard many horns honking for many different reasons. My son Matthew who sits in the rear facing seat in the back of our station-wagon, asked why so many had to honk their horns in the city. After explaining the many reasons ranging from people in a hurry, awareness, and rudeness, he asked if people would stop honking unless for a worthwhile reason. We have even seen those who hold up sign saying Honk if you love Jesus or some other cause. After completion of presentations in churches in the New York area, we made our way to a Florida Missions Conference. On the way, I found myself in a position in which I needed to use my horn to alert a lady, driving a big SUV, who came into our lane on the highway in order to pass a semi truck. I had to go into the shoulder off the road in order to avoid an accident. God once again provided safety and I was able to explain to my son the proper use of the horn on the car.

We use the horn on the car just like many people use their voices to bring awareness of something to others. How are you using your voice? Are we being heard using our speech to bring awareness to a lost and dying world about a Saviour? Spread the Word; Jesus Saves!

Honk if your have to but let it be heard.

Faith Independent Baptist Church Mission Conference

After our Easter week in Michigan, we made our way to Maryland where we participated in the mission conference at Faith Independent Baptist Church, Glenn Dale. Once again, we were the ones blessed by the friendliness of Pastor Creed and the church. We witnessed believers serving God through meal preparations, decorating, cleaning, giving, worshipping, and fellowshipping together. We are grateful for their kindness toward us during the week. What a priviledge to have lodging at Bethany's house for the week and to make another friend. It doesn't take long to notice the heart of the church is missions. We not only had the opportunity to serve by presenting our testimony and field but also to preach to the teens and witness five Baptisms on Sunday.

Celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord!

We had the priviledge of celebrating Easter this year at our home church and spending time with family before stepping back out on the deputation trail again. We praise the Lord for safety from our long travels these last two months. It is such a thrill to be able to return home with familiar surroundings. We took a day to be with family and participate in the annual egg hunt, egg coloring, Easter story reading, and good eating at the Harris funny farm. Our children enjoyed being with Grandma and Grandpa and other cousins.

Easter Sunday provided an excitment in the remembrance of our resurrected Lord. HE LIVES! What a delight to fellowship with other believers at FaithWay Baptist and worship God on this Easter Sunday.

At Olive Branch Baptist Church, we found our names on the marqee sign to let us know that we had found the right place. Pastor Kemp's hospitality was greatly appreciated. The meals, lodging at his house, and the fellowship was an encouragement to our family.
We were able to find lodging at Jon's high school principal's house in IL. This brought back many fond memories with the pictures and conversations. We're thankful for Mrs. Adams willingness to take our family to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. This provided a chance for our children to take an educational field trip.
Our children thank all those who gave them time to play with their pet dogs. Cody in Florida, Monica in Indiana, and Lucie in Illinois each provided entertainment for our family.
We ended our travels in March by presenting in two smaller churches in IL but with big hearts in many ways. It's the small community churches that many times provide a family atmosphere with unity and love for God. Phelan Acres Bible Church encouraged us by the acceptance of our ministry and the showing of their compassion.
We are taking the week of Easter to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord back in Michigan with our family and home church. We are looking to be able to regain our strength and overcome sickness before traveling to our next group of churches out east.
We thank all of those who take the time to read our post and pray for us. We hope that as you get acquainted with us you will see how good our God has been to us and share our joys.

Visiting with Family in Memphis, TN

Jon's sister Renee and family recently moved to Memphis, TN and were able to provide lodging for us before our next meeting up north. Our children get excited when they have time to spend with their cousins, especially when taken to the Incredible Pizza Inc., a pizza buffet and arcade extravaganza. The night ended with a soccer game at the Christian School where Jon's brother-in-law teaches.

Alabama meetings and March Madness Basketball

We found ourselves in Dixon Mills, AL where we were allowed to present our ministry and worship. We are grateful for the lodging made available to us between meetings. Although the mission house didn't have a TV or an internet signal for our family to keep up with the March Madness Basketball Tournament, the pastor made it available at the church fellowship hall for us to connect to the church's wireless and watch some basketball by the use of our computer and projector on the big screen. It was interesting to find out that the Pastor and Jon grew up in Michigan together and played sports against each others Christian Schools.
We traveled over to Community Baptist in Brady, AL. to be a part of the mission conference where we discovered that the special speaker was another Harris Family. It was encouraging for us to be able to build new friendships and connect with those in the church in such a short amount of time. The pastor gave us the option of staying in a hotel, or staying in a trailer across the street and keeping the money meant for the hotel. The decision was a no-brainer when Nisha discovered a dead mouse in the mouse trap in the trailer. We ended up traveling to our next destination for a bit and staying in a hotel, even though Jon was looking to have another one of those adventures of camping out in the trailer.