ALL IN . . . . . Elsewhere, Here and Everywhere

Our sermon series at church right now is “All In” – people like Jim Elliot and his companions; people like brave young men on D-Day in 1944 -- people who gave everything, especially those for the cause of Christ.

 I admit that before he mentioned those folks I was thinking about myself and my church family, and  thinking how we’re pretty much all in” in some way.  But when you think of the sacrifice those persons made, well, I am only “part way in” !

Another message I heard recently out at Camp Wi-Ne-Ma was how our church family can be more “all in” – somewhat more figuratively that I’ve ever considered before.  Read on  --

“We didn’t like the stream that was flowing by the front door of the church. The water was murky and muddy and there were chunks of stuff floating in it.  So, we created our own streams up behind the church.  Interestingly enough, although the water is a bit cleaner and we can see the bottom most of the time, the streams run parallel with each other.”   (Rick Rusaw)

Am I only stepping into the stream that’s flowing behind the church?  Or am I willing to step into the stream that’s flowing right in front – where all of life’s “chunks” and “stuff” are floating?  Am I even spending some time there . . . .  I think I have (as I’m currently available) as I spend time in a flowing stream that’s called Haiti.  But I think there’s a stream right here in my town that needs attention.  It needs the attention of NCC and our church family there.  NCC already has quite a lot of folks stepping into the stream called “Newberg” and I know that pleases the Lord.  It’s exciting to be a part of that “wading”!  It’s exciting to hope that many of us at NCC will “wade” even more into that stream.

And these this last week we heard about availability. 

     How much time do we spend in reaching out to others? 

     How much time should be spent?  Are we making ourselves available to others? 

     Do we “Seize the Day” – make our life extraordinary?    

 

Our pastor told us to not sit there and do nothing – but do SOMETHING!  He apologized for getting worked up – I feel like I need to tell him “Don’t apologize for that”!   Feel free to Kick us in the

Kick Starter – as he said “we may not be able to pierce the darkness, but we can definitely shed light”!

I’m ready to shed some light while I’m out the wading the in “stream” – who’s with me ????

 

The Loveliest Quilts this side of Grand Goave, Haiti!

Just look at the growing stack of finished

quilts for Haiti!

 

It's my plan to take them personally in

early August - that's uber-exciting!

 

Currently we have seamstresses ranging

from middle school to middle 80's !!

 

And from Oregon to North Carolina -

and some points in between!

 

God is Good - All the Time !

 

Merci Jesus,

Jan



And they just keep coming . . . . .

 

 

 

The lovely quilts are in process for the children's home -- I must get the rest of the materials to the ladies making the first 20.  I can hardly contain my excitement for the day when all of these come together in one place, made in love with loving hands, full of God's Beauty and then on their way to bless those Beautiful children in Grand Goave, Haiti.

 

As I returned from Haiti last month, I put out the word that I needed more seamstresses -- I now have commitments for the next 30 to be made in the near future!  One group in Ohio said "we'll do 20" !  I just about fell off my chair - can you believe it ?!?!?!?  Merci Jesu -- Thank You Jesus - Amen, Amen!

 

You know, I think about this project all the time.  I think back 3 years ago when the Lord placed this on my heart.  I think about how long it seems to have taken, but that this is the perfect timing that God has ordained.  The directors of the home will be chosen soon and then the children will move into this new place they can call "home".  It's my hope and prayer that these quilts show them something of the Love that the Lord has placed on my heart for them, as well as all of the other ladies who are so generously giving of their time and talent.

 

I feel so blessed and so happy to be in this effort for Him; For the ......

 

"Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these."

 

Merci,

Jan

 

Many Blessings In the Making !

It's been three years in the making, but the blessings

are finally in the works!

Here are two quilts I was able to take

to Haiti this month.  They are just a

sample of the 20 that are now in the works

by ladies in Oregon.  I'm thrilled to be

working with:

Norma G, Joanne H, Ruth P, Mary R,

Kathy L, Danna J, Donna C, Linda B,

Diane W, Bev R, Laura J, Marie C and Diane M.

 

If you are interested in helping, please contact me

at -- janner77@gmail.com -- and I can get

you started on the next 56 we need to make

this next year.  I have no doubt it will happen!

 

The quilts packaged up and stored away for now.

 

 

Piece by piece, they come together. 



The Children's Home as it looks January 2014.

Progress is happening while I type this !!

 



Again, this labor of love will be such a gift

for the children who come to live in this home.

Pray about the hiring of a couple to serve as

the directors of this home -- God will provide there too!

 

Blessing to you all,

 

Jan

Merci Jesu !

And the stitching goes on . . . . and other joys today

 

I keep thinking about this little gal and how much

she's loved and cared for -- both by her Mommy

and this "mommy" (me) so far away ----

That's why I do what I do at my sewing machine

every chance I get!

 

And then there's this ministry --

http://www.heartlineministries.org/ -

so love, love, love what they are doing

for pregnant women in Haiti.  Healthy babies

abound !!!
I am so happy for LoveLOTs to assist them!

 

 



Then, I received a lovely gift today on Facebook ---

 

 

My good friend in Haiti, Patrick, has received education in

computers and software -- sure wish he could use his

talents for an employer!  But he uses them when

he can, and today, I was the recipient!

Made my morning!

 

Bless your day and all days,

 

Jan



So, What About those Quilts .... ????

The Children's Home under construction by

Lifeline Christian Mission in Grand Goave, Haiti

has officially begun.  As we keep in mind Haitian construction

time does not always coincide with US  construction time, we will

still soon commence working on the first phase of bedding for the

children who will reside there.  The capacity will eventually

be 76 children, but this first phase of quilts will be 10 boys and 10 girls.

 

I'd like to fill you in just a bit on how this project all came about.

In January 2011 I was in Grand Goave, Haiti, with a group of

women.  At breakfast one day, I sat next to "L" who had resources

that she wanted to share.  After prayer, she decided some of those

resources should go to help build the Children's Home.  Well, as a

seamstress, what else would I do but offer to sew something !!!

I believe God led us to the place where we began discussing

the possibilites and soon the Quilt Project was born!   Donations

for the materials have come from both Newberg Christian Church

and Beaverton Christian Church -- Ladies from both churches

are signed up to begin the stitching very soon.

 

With that, it's time to unveil just what the quilts for the

Children's Home will look like.  Below you'll find a layout

of the boys version.  There are some awesome

fabric prints !  So fun to choose and stitch !



 

 

Next we have the girls version -- so pretty and sweet!
 

   

 

Then, a sweet lady in Beaverton (who heard about the sewing

ministry at Beaverton Christian through the local newspaper)

took on the crocheting of 20 stuffed animals to accompany

the quilts -- Here's a sampling of what she's created so far --

 

 

And . . . . . . ladies in Indianapolis have created canvas bags

that will hang at the end of each child's bed to store

some of their personal belongings.

 

A team effort for sure !

 

So you don't sew or crochet or do anything of the kind ??

There's still a place for you -- stay tuned for a

campaign to gather sheet sets, plastic mattress covers,

blankets and pillows!  You, too can be involved!

 

This is such an exciting project, at this point involving about

30-35 ladies -- Praise the Lord for His Provision!

And Merci Jezi !!

 

Love,

Jan

 

Here are a few lifeline construction shots -- it's really happening !

 

 

From the Lefebvre Family . . . . . . .

 

I've hit an all time low -- electronic Chrismas Greetings!

 

I hope you enjoy just the same . . . . .

 

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy New Year !!