Greetings from Council Bluffs, IA

Last month my newsletter editor, Suzi, was sick and unable to edit the update I wanted to send about how I was doing in Louisiana and my flight to Iowa on March 18 before the coronavirus got worse in Louisiana. That is why I only sent you a brief update in the previous newsletter. Praise God she was able to help me with my newsletter this month.

Keywords: Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Disciple Training School (DTS), American Sign Language (ASL)

Staying in Analco's Home

Kari Analco was a former DTS student in 2013. Her husband Casey and their beautiful two children, ages two years old and 10 months old, have invited me to live in their home for a month now. They also have a roommate Hadassah, who plans to join DTS in Jamaica this September. I am very excited for her to have this amazing opportunity! We have learned a lot from each other by encouraging and supporting each other. It helped us to recognize how God is moving through the coronavirus pandemic. We were able to see different perspectives, look around at the positive, and see how God is working in us regardless of the fact that we are going through horrific times. I believe that God is preparing my heart for the next phase of my journey.

Deaf YWAM Family - Unite Together

Joseph and Sophia Hagen were both in my DTS group from the past, we were students together. They live very close to us, about five minutes away. They often come over to gather with us to socialize with us and eat dinner together. They also join with us as a home church every Sunday. Renca, who also was a former DTS student in the same group with Kari, joined us on Resurrection Day. It was absolutely amazing to see how God has united the DTS groups into a YWAM family. There are five YWAM members and a future YWAM member including Kari, Renca, Joseph, Sophia, me, and Hadassah. What an interesting fact that we were all under Dan and Carole's ministry! Hadassah will be under their ministry in Jamaica as well!

During the coronavirus pandemic that has been going on, we have found many ways to have fun and help each other at home. Kari, Hadassah, and I have been praying together every morning after breakfast with the two children included. After prayer time, Kari and I have one on one every morning to discuss the book we have been reading, recognizing things to apply to our lives and how to apply them, and sharing our testimonies. Hadassah and I also have another book that we have been reading and have one on one time every evening which is the same thing as I and Kari do every morning. We have been exercising together. I have been babysitting Analco’s children, cleaning their house, and doing some shared chores with Hadassah. I work outside to help them with Analco’s garden. I also help the Hagens’ at their home with their garden as well. It is just really nice to have socialization with the same people. I see the contagious joy that spreads out from our circle and the place where these people live. it is almost as contagious as the coronavirus! I see the spread of the coronavirus, and I see the joy that is just as contagious!

ASL Storytime

I started doing weekly ASL Storytime books with the five-year-old daughter, Olive, of my YWAM staff members, Dan and Carole. They live in Jamaica, so I use video calls via Whatsapp with them. Dan and Carole’s goals are for their daughter to be exposed to communicating with a native ASL role model and develop a relationship with me before I enter Jamaica. I really enjoy this opportunity. They are a hearing family who are all fluent in ASL, and have a huge heart for the Deaf community.

Consideration of Safety

I know during these times there are a lot of concerns about preventing the spread of coronavirus. Please know that I am meeting only with those I live with and one other family that lives very close by. We are cautious in our interactions with each other and take self-quarantining very seriously. We work hard to respect the guidelines of our government to keep each other safe and healthy.

Sharing the News

Jamaica plans to reopen the airport for Jamaican citizens on May 31. I plan to go to Jamaica on June 9, but I am still waiting for the update about reopening the airport for the foreigners. God knows His plans, so I am just going with the flow. It is so worth the wait in this season.

Good news, I was able to earn monthly money commitments around $505 a month. My goal is $1000 a month, but to get into Jamaica I am required to have $800 a month. I have $295 left. Now, I will explain why I said $1000 a month instead of $800 That is because the $800 a month is required for me to get into Jamaica and includes housing, food, travel, transportations, etc. The extra $200 is for health insurance, so on top of the $800 a month, that is $1000. I feel it is important to have health insurance included for my future health issues just in case. If you are touched and able to give a one-time donation, then you can! One-time donations are perfectly great. You can donate through the Mission Enablers International's website, www.meigiving.org/donate-associate. Please use my designation, KV3690. Thank you!

Thinking About You

At this time, I realize that COVID-19 has taken its toll on so many of you; my family, friends, and supporters. For some, the effects of this pandemic have led to unemployment, travel restrictions, and a reordering of your life as you knew it. God is so faithful to meet me right where I am, but that does not mean the road is not difficult especially now. Please know that I deeply care about you and your situation. If you have time, please send me an email or Whatsapp letting me know how you are. Though I may not be able to send you an individual email or a Whatsapp response right away, I will read my messages and pray for you. My schedule has not slowed down. Quite the opposite; it seems busier! I help Casey, Kari, and Hadassah with a lot of things because they are still working with their jobs. I am staying with them longer than I have expected, so they are content with my huge help that covers everything I need for food, a place to sleep, and personal needs. Please send me the prayer requests. Again, thank you for all of your support. My prayer is that God takes care of your every need.

Note: I added the pictures in Louisiana on this newsletter that I have not posted it in a previous newsletter. The next newsletter will be on May 28.

Louisiana Pictures: