Summer in West Virginia. Visually refreshing with densely packed trees in full-leaf greenery covering the mountains wherever you look, everything growing like weeds…no wait, those are weeds…pretending this profusion of plant life is actually what I want growing around the borders of my yard…. Ah, the joys of living in a northern rain forest. It is amazing and wonderful.

Teams of volunteers from all over the country, and even Canada, have been our guests a week at a time for the past 6 weeks, doing helpful tasks with and for local families in our neck of the woods (my fingers actually started typing “weeds” instead of “woods”; either way it would be correct!). We have had a good time with teams so far, no injuries and no problems, for which we are very thankful. There are 4 more weeks to go before our summer volunteer ministry ends and our staff takes a breather. We have 3 interns this year (college students who arrive in May and leave in early to mid-August), 2 of which are returnees, and a new guy who wants to come back again! All these things and people are answers to prayer and we, again, are very thankful.

Randy has been teaching the evening sessions with the teams, the topic this year being the fear of God. It has been powerful. We are hearing good feedback from the families whose homes we work on as well as from the teams which work with them. Please pray those who need to come in faith and repentance to Jesus, will; and those who are believers will be strengthened and built up, encouraged to greater commitment to Jesus, because of interactions with others. This is for both those who live here and those who come to serve here. And for those of us on Mustard Seeds staff.

Randy has numerous responsibilities heading up a mission organization. One recently added is weekly 5 minute radio spots to promote the prayer campaign he is trying to start in the county. We pray for a true awaking and stirring up of God’s people here and an outpouring of God’s Spirit to revive his people and redeem the lost. We his people must be ready for the harvest.

I am slowly progressing as my leg strengthens, to walk properly. Building up and retraining muscles takes effort and time but in the last two weeks I have been leaving my cane behind, even for walking outdoors! I still have 4 more days of driving in to Princeton, WV, for physical therapy, concluding the additional 6 weeks of therapy after leaving CA. The pain is slowly lessening for which I truly thank the Lord.

I spent a week in the Atlanta, GA, area to visit my mom where she lives in a home for Alzheimer’s patients. She is unable to do anything for herself anymore. She is still recognizing us but gets frustrated, in her gentle way, in her inability to communicate and do things. I spent several hours each day sitting with her, pushing her wheel chair out to the verandah so she could enjoy the fresh air and outdoor scenery, talking with her and reading a bit of scripture to her. At one point, as she mumbled something I couldn’t understand, I choked up, looked away and told myself, “one day we will have a real conversation again”. I know that won’t be until we are both in heaven, but it will come, one day.

I was also able to spend some time with several friends from the Atlanta area which was really nice. God has given us many wonderful friends from all over in the 40 years we have been serving the Lord and what a blessing they are to us.

One of our staff members is going through a very difficult time now and needs your prayers. Angie is taking care of her mom at home every day; she is in hospice care dying of cancer. Pray for Dee Dee’s comfort and true salvation to be ready to meet the Lord. And for Angie and her young girls as they walk this path with her.

Throughout what I have written you see italicized phrases. These are prayer and praise points and I hope you will join us in prayer and praise for these things. Without the intervention of God in all we do, our efforts are in vain. Thanks for “listening” as I’ve shared my thoughts with you. Thanks more for praying with us for God to work out his perfect, eternal purposes through each of us, to his glory.

Jacque