The days are warming and, in fact, Spring will officially be here in just a couple of weeks. Since arriving in southern California a few weeks ago I’ve had 7 doctor’s appointments and tests with 2 more to go next week before a 5 week hiatus with no appointments! For all these I have depended on either borrowing a son and daughter in law’s car or being driven by one of them to my appointments. I am thankful for their kind willingness to serve me in these ways. Randy plans to drive our car out here to California once again, in April, so I will have a car of our own to use.

I have my ups and downs with my legs, generally “up”. Currently I continue to be very cautious walking, especially when outdoors and on uneven ground. There is a library directly across the street from the home in which I live and it is very hard for me not to just up and walk over there! I love libraries, all the books, all the wealth of knowledge and information available. But I must consider the walk itself and my safety. I used to go on long walks all alone; now I cannot do that. Not until I have healing in these legs. I am trusting God to effect that, so that my life can move back into the area of activity I used to know.

So what do I do with my time? I have plenty to occupy myself! Among the things I do, I spend a good bit of each day on the computer in communication with teams and prospective teams for Mission as Life trips this summer, and other related aspects of it. Booking mission trips has been one of my responsibilities at Mustard Seeds and Mountains for a number of years and one which I enjoy as well. With internet access and telephone I can do this from anywhere in the world.

I often communicate with Shawna in the Mustard Seeds’ office in Elkhorn, WV. Sometimes she calls me with questions or issues related to any number of things that must be dealt with in the corporate offices of a Christian non-profit organization, and together we are able to make sure things are running properly, or I call or email her to look something up which I cannot physically do because of being here, but she can do there in the office. I call staff when they have their staff meetings so I can participate on the conference phone, one of the gadgets we also often use for Board of Directors meetings as well. Wonderful technological inventions which enable us to work together even though separated by thousands of miles.

A couple of years ago at a missions conference the hosting church Skyped a missionary couple in South Africa. So even though this couple and their children were unable to be with us in person at the conference, we all got to listen to them speak and see them on a large screen at the same time. Amazing. Good uses of technology.

Speaking of missions conferences, Randy is winding up a week in Roswell, GA, at the annual missions conference of Fellowship Bible Church. He’s called me every day (and I’m glad because we miss each other) and said it has been a good week.

He had been asked to speak to our fellow missionaries one afternoon.We are thankful for this opportunity, and for the chance to supply those missionary friends with copies of the book, Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. Hundreds of families in the church also have the opportunity to acquire the book as well. It is our prayer that God’s people will be encouraged and challenged by reading it. We are convinced this book can be a powerful tool for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. We want to see it get into the hands, and hearts, of thousands of God’s people, and not only that, but its principles and truths put into practice by thousands of families! We all are called to be faithful to carry out God’s purposes in our generation, our lifetime. We pray this book will spur many on to that goal in their lives and the lives of their children, carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the next generation. (I guess I should add that you can read the Introduction to the book to get a taste of what it has to offer, and purchase a copy by going to www.missionaslife.com or www.mustardseeds.org .)

Please continue to pray for us as we look to the Lord for guidance and strength in our own lives and that of Mustard Seeds and Mountains, guiding this ministry into the years ahead. Pray for our staff back in West Virginia as they carry on with their usual work and also begin the Spring Mission as Life mission trip season, starting this Sunday, March 6; and for Randy as he lends leadership to the entire ministry. It is a big responsibility. And it holds potential for great works of the Lord and much fruit. Pray with us to that end!

Jacque