Well it has been a while now and I thought I would let you all know about my “stranger response”. The day I went to Wal-Mart I was a bit discouraged. No matter how hard I tried to look people in the eye and smile or have a kind word I was not making a connection. Sure I helped an old woman pick up her grandson’s shoe that had dropped, and I called my cashier by name and asked how her day was, but I was not getting through the way I wanted to. But each day I just kept on. I went out and I worked to do something or say something kind. I opened doors, smiled and told sneezers God Bless. One of the days I was so exhausted from all the smiling that I avoided going out at all. I noticed something after my first week. This new kind, look you in the eye way about me was becoming a little more natural. I guess the biggest stranger response was the other day when Jason and I went out to breakfast. I noticed a server (not ours) who was BIG and pregnant. She looked tired, worn down and a bit hard on her luck. I asked our server if the girl knew what she was having. With a funny look she said “a boy”. Jason and I needed to go to the store so I set out to buy a few boy cloths and items. It was a blast to go back into the restaurant and hand this sweet-faced young woman a gift bag. She looked around and said “who is this from” I said “its for you.” She said “from who” and I said “God just wants you to know He loves you!” and I walked out. Fun stuff! I will keep working on seeing the people around me as children made in HIS image. I hope I will give to others what has been given to me. You all should try this and tell me what happened to you.

I have thought long and hard about my stranger encounters and I have made a decision! Over the next few weeks I am going to go out looking for strangers to give a word to. I am going to look people in the eye and say something genuine and kind. I am attempting to let God work through me to say something deep to a total stranger. I am going to wal-mart now and I am scared I will look like a complete fool! I will keep you posted on my day to day progress! I have prayed, put on my armor, and am on my way to shop!

OK! At this point I really think God is doing something with me and I would love to have all of your opinions on this one. The other day I had a few minutes to myself so I decided to go over to the local beauty supply and get a few makeup products. I don’t know how many of you have been into a Sally’s Beauty Supply but they are pretty much maned by uninterested workers. I walked in grabbed my powder and mascara and proceeded to the counter. During my short time in the store no hello of how are ya was uttered. I got up to the counter and a woman probably about 45 grabbed my products and without even looking my way started to ring me up. She then went through a series of questions in a dull methodical voice, “do you want a Sally’s discount card?” “Do you need shampoo or conditioner?” and so on. “NoI am fine.” I replied; wondering why corporate offices make sales people ask stupid questions. If I wanted these products would I have not grabbed them on my way to the counter? I took my bag and turned to walk out the door, when the same voice only more sincere said “honey”. I turned to see who she was talking to, thinking I was the only other one in the store. “Yes” I said. “You really are beautiful.” She replied as she looked for the first time strait into my eyes. I mumbled “thank you” and walked out the door stunned by yet anther strange encounter. Now this lady was nothing like the old man in my last post. She was hard looking and severe. This was someone that by my interpretation had lived a hard life. She smelled of cigarette smoke, was missing a few teeth, and had that raspy kind of voice. We all have people we are not very comfortable around for one reason or another (no Godly reason) and if you know me well or not so well you probably know this is that kind of person for me. Again this day my normal platitudes and walls were drilled into by a stranger offering kind words that seemed completely off kilter with the day to day stranger encounters we all have. I don’t know if I can stress how differently her voice sounded and how the moment in the store changed. At this point I can think of nothing other than God having His hand in these strange free offerings of love and kindness by people I don’t know or are even comfortable with. I have some ideas about what He may be communicating to me but I would like you all to weigh in first.

OK! I know it has been forever since my last post but things begin to pile up and I find in a weird way I have nothing to write about. Today however, is different. I had an encounter with a man I believe is worth sharing. I had the special rare day of spending time with Judah as her two sisters were off at school. She and I opted for breakfast with her dad and then some shopping and swimming at the YMCA. On our way out of Wal-Mart there was a old gentleman sitting behind a small card table filled with bumper-stickers, lapel pins, buttons and such all shouting the same message… God Bless America. This man must have been in his 90’s. He wore a military envelope hat on his head. (I don’t think that is what they are called but that is what it looks like to me) Anyway, I don’t really even know what he was collecting money for, I assumed it was a veteran thing. And maybe I was in a good mood or perhaps it was because Jason had just made me suffer through a PBS special on the great escape of World War II, but I reached into my purse and pulled out my only cash which amounted to four dollars from my wallet. I handed him the money to stick in his little jar and he began to ask Judah some questions. “How old are you?” “What grade are you in?” “Why aren’t you in school?” and so on. When the conversation lulled between them I stuck out my hand to offer a shake and a strange thing happened. The man warmly grabbed my hand with both of his and looked into my eyes and said, “I love you dear!” Now, these words have been spoken to me many times by many people. It must be said that there are only a hand full of those people that I really and truly believed. All of which required a relationship and trust for those three words to be accepted. But in this instance and time, I was positive he was sharing something from the bottom of his heart. I can wonder after the fact if I was more apt to believe him because of his fragile age or kind eyes but in that moment I knew he was offering truth. It is funny how different one feels after the realization that they are loved freely by another. It changed my day, and I hope gave me the desire to give my love away to strangers as well.

I got this e-mail today from Grace’s mom.

Hi Jenell,

We had an unexpected call from Grace’s counselor the other morning while
traveling in Oregon. Grace had been to a medical clinic with an
‘infection’ and had had a bad headache the evening before (not something
she has usually). We spoke to Grace; she sounded okay, tired - it’s the
first time I’ve sensed she’ll be ready to get home. She’s loved being
there and was going back to the village again, but said at least 4 kids
were sick (I’m guessing they’re all getting tired/worn down). Savannah was
fine )

Roll on Saturday!
Love Jen

Please Pray that the team will keep their health in the last stretch.

Jul 28 2006 05:51PM

Hola! Greetings from the beautiful city of Panama. Everyone are on their designated assignments and we as leaders are so amazed of how these missionaries made themselves available to God?s calling. In sickness and in health we endured every hardships knowing that we are like soldiers of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3.

The following are great testimonies from the Hola!Opis team.

God has been doing great things on this island. So far this is just one of the many amazing accounts of how God has been working and changing lives.

On Wednesday, July 19th, we had the opportunity to prayer walk around the island for one hour. As we were walking we encountered a man name Seiferino, the witch doctor. We stopped briefly to introduce ourselves and explained that we would come back later to talk more indepth. Wow! What an opportunity God placed in our path.

Later on that day we returned with our leader Chris. We began talking about his beliefs, trying to build a relationship. Sieferino explained that his ancestors created the mountains and all of the necessary plants and animals to make his medicine. This discussion opened up the door to share our beliefs and God?s love. As Kyle talked and Jacob, Larissa and Lydia prayed fervently in the background, everyone felt the intense, spiritual battle that was taking place. We were coming to dead ends in our conversation and confusion arose. We knew Satan was fighting, but God was always protecting us.
When we felt we were finally making progress, we were cut short with, ?I have to attend to my patients?. At first this put a damper on our spirits, but after continious prayer we knew God had big plans instore, because he asked us to come back on Friday.
We all knew that we were headed into a massive battle, but God had already claimed that victory. We knew that leading this witch doctor to Christ meant him giving up his old ways and everything he ever knew.

It was time to go back. Friday morning we, again asked for God?s miraculous power and the boldness to stand against Satan. Without even knowing Sieferinos beliefs, Charity, our Team Leader, asked God to melt the mountains in this man?s life. _WOW_

We approached the house like soldiers, and stepped in for the attack. We told Sieferino?s wife that we come back to pick up on our previous conversation, but she said he couldn?t talk because he was going to the mountain to gather herbs and materials. It seems like he doesn?t want to face us. Our hearts were shot down with disappointment, but our Country Assistant, Carol stepped out in faith with the strength of God . She asked the wife if we can pray for him before he goes to the mountain.. And to God be the Glory Sieferino came out and said okay. Carol boldly began to pray a prayer of salvation with two interpreters Jocelyn in Spanish and Joseph in Kuna Language. God completely opened the witch doctor?s heart and the Holy Spirit literally turned inside Sieferino?s broken soul. The presence of God was so powerful in that place. We asked him what he felt while praying the prayer of salvation and he said that ?he felt something hot left his body and something came in that is cold. And we told him that is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God. And we told him that he doesn?t need to go to the mountain because Jesus is inside him. He asked with genuine excitement, if we could lead his son in prayer, At that moment two more names were written in the lambs book of life! WOW! That moment was so touching that several cried tears of joy and thankfulness for what God did. We asked Sieferino is we could help him get rid of his idols and ungodly objects. Then he told us he had gotten rid of the animal bones yesterday. WOW! At that moment, the only thing we could do was Praise The Lord! He was working tremendously in this man?s life and heart.

As we were standing out on the road about to leave, Sieferino ran out from his hut and asked us to pray with his other son and afterwards with his nephew. Two more young Indian?s committed to following the Lord. We gave him a bible and asked him to go to the church that is in the island and he met Pastor Eli. And Pastor Eli invited the rest of the family for a service.

Words can?t even express how greatful we are that God allowed us to be his tools and experience the miracle that happened today. All the Glory to God. He filled us with His spirit of wisdom and gave us His heart of faith. Each one of us is praising God for stretching us out of our comfort zone, because we have learned so much and blessed more than we deserve.

Lydia, Larissa, Jacob and Kyle July 21, 2006

Jul 28 2006 05:50PM

hOLY oPIS testimony from Rachel

The most awesome thing that happened this past week was during our hut to hut ministry time. Everyday my MIG and I would visit this man named Mr. Perez and share the Lord with him. He was very open to what we shared and he even claimed to be a believer in Christ, but we sense a wall up in his life that was keeping him back from being in fellowship with other believers and God as well. One day all of us shared our testimonies with him and it was so powerful..Mr Perez spoke english so he loved to talk quite a lot, but after we shared our testimonies, he was absolutly sppechless. We knew God was tugging on his heart so we came back the next day to share more with him. This time our time with him was even more powerful and he made a decision to recommit his life to Christ. We gave him a Spanish Bible and prayed with him, and we saw a light on his face that wasn’t there before. It was so beautiful and we praise God that we were able to be part of this miracle.

Yes… I have a new dog; and before you all go reminding me about my vow to not obtain more animals let me tell you a little story of God’s faithfulness. After Cosette died I started experiencing some panic attacks. I am not new to panic attacks. In fact, Jason and I thought back to our first year of marriage and remembered that I found a counselor to see for a while because of them. I do however, seem to have a good handle on them (most of the time). With the death of my old friend, Savannah about to leave for a foreign country, and my mother’s surgery around the corner, panic reared its ugly head in a major way. The phone would ring and I would jump. “So what does this have to do with a dog?” you ask. Two days after Cosette died I realized I wanted another dog. Not just any dog mind you. I wanted one of “those” dogs. You know the one. The dog everyone wishes they had. One that was kind and gentle, came when it was called, and could go outside without a leash and not attack other dogs or people in its path. The dog of my dreams needed not only to be well behaved, but good looking as well. I knew that with my track record this dog would not be made by being a puppy under my tutelage. I also knew that all puppies are cute, but don’t always turn out to be good looking dogs. (I find people to be this way too ) In with my morning prayers about the heavy things I, and those dear to me were facing, I started to pray for this dog. Savannah and I looked at pictures of dogs in every pound in Ohio. We even met a perspective dog but none had all I was looking for. On the forth of July I noticed an add for a golden retriever a family could no longer keep. I called and we talked for a while. She had been praying for someone to take him and had turned down several other prospects. The day we were to meet she had a miscarriage and our family was able to pray for her family. The monday after Savannah left we were finally able to meet Max. God does answer prayers. Max is that dog. God went on to answer much more. My mothers surgery went well and ALL her lymph-nodes are clear. Savannah is so far safe and having a great time, and my panic attacks have subsided. I just wanted to encourage you all that God does get involved with the details of your life. Look at Max, he was not essential to my life, but my prayers were heard never the less. Big or small He hears you.

Jul 20 2006 10:59AM
Hi family and friends!

Greetings from Panama! It’s incredible to think that just a couple weeks ago we were getting ready to be here with these beautiful people…..and now…we’re here! All of the teams have been doing wonderful and taking part in serving the local churches in their villages or on their island. Many amazing relationships have been built, new friendships, and most of all more people being added to His Kingdom. Here is a short testimony from one of our B trip overflowing’ missionaries:

“One of the Kuna natives here in Loma Coba (his name is Junior.) has decided to commit his life to Jesus Christ and to turn away from the drugs that he had been into for the last few years. Now it is time for step two, which is to disciple him and show him how to follow Christ. It?s a major blessing to see how willing he is to learn about God and his word. He asks us all the time to pray for him and to ask God to give him the strength to stand strong in the face of oppression. I ask you to pray that God will lift Junior up and keep him strong and provide for him. Thanks for your prayers….”

-Matt P.

This is just one story of the many awesome things taking place here in Panama. We miss you all and thanks again for your prayers! Dios le bendiga. Ciao!

Savannah called from Panama this afternoon. She sounded tired and a bit down. I think all of the excitement and late nights of recent have taken its toll on her. Please pray that she will get some rest at night and find a rhythm. We will not have the chance to talk with her again for about a week and a half so I hope I can keep my sanity until the next call.
My Mom had her surgery yesterday. I had to track down my dad for information and from what I can gather she is doing fine. She came home today and was sleeping when I called. I guess we will have more information on how successful the chemo has been in the lymph-nodes on Thursday. I am busy at work this weekend but hope to slow down next week. I will write when I have more info. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Savannah Coker has registered for her Global Expeditions mission trip at the Teen Mania Ministries international headquarters in Garden Valley, Texas. This email will provide you with some helpful information about her trip.

well she made it to her first leg of the trip! They even take a picture of her so we know for sure she is ok. I will let you know more as I get the info.