Deputation: a group of people appointed to undertake a mission or take part in a formal process on behalf of a larger group.
As God has continued to work in our lives, we begin to see piece by piece the fullness of the other side of the relationship. We have been commissioned by Grace Baptist Church of Kennewick, WA into deputation ministry. The Ministry that God has called us to is just an arm of the Local Church. That can easily be forgotten while you are traveling some 1,700 miles away from home. How sweet it is though when God brings simple reminders that we are not alone. Unable to count the dozens of people who are praying for our ministry, we have 7 faithful churches behind us in support, we have 16 faithful families helping propel us in support and how blessed we feel.
Deputation at times seems impossible. We spend countless hours making connections with churches and praying that they may have us in to share our ministry. We spend days preparing for what will take place during those times of ministry. We (Kathleen) packs the bags, we load up the Tahoe and we set out on the road. If you follow us on social media, you have seen how it can look inside our car as we hit the road for a meeting. We often do not know what all to expect, we sometimes are in the dark until arrival and have to simply trust that God will take care of us (He promises to do so).
The Fruit of it all is the relationships we make along the way. For example, see the picture to the left. This could not have come at a better time. Our kids’ lives have been shaken up. Missionary Kids do not grow up in a “normal” setting. At a time when we could see they were tired, they were wearing out, and needed to be refreshed Pastor Odor introduced us to his crew and that was a breath of fresh air!
Kathleen and I enjoy the process of getting to know people, but the kids do not often have the same opportunities. When they come along though you learn to embrace each moment!
Kathleen said when you look at it, it is all impossible like the task is too great. The reward however is far greater. When you step in faith to areas of discomfort you get to see God provide. While we say that we are humbly blessed often in our letters there are really no other words to describe how we feel. Humbled because God is using you to fulfill a mighty work in our lives. Blessed because we are the recipients of God’s love and mercy being poured out through YOU. We cannot express enough our thanks for what God is doing and your willingness to be used.
| Where have we been: | Where are we Going: |
| We have wrapped up ministries in Eau Clarie, Brookfield, and Steven’s Point, Wisconsin. Last weekend we were in Camanche, Iowa and now home (a Missions house at Berea Baptist Church in Steven’s Point, WI) for just 2 days. | Thursday, we leave for Illinois For a Adelphos-USA Family and Friends weekend. We will be back for another weekend of ministry in Steven’s Point before setting off on a loop tour from Pioria, Il to Des Moines, Ia then back to Esterville, Ia before coming back to Steven’s Point for maybe one more area ministry. |
Jonah 4:2 is the revealing of Jonah’s heart and his desire for the people of Nineveh. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because God would have mercy and forgive them. If you knew that God was going to save a nation through you, would you not want to go? How about if God was going to use you to save a family, would you not be willing to go? How about if God was going to use you to save a grocery store clerk, would you not be willing to go? So, let’s go! Let’s go together into all the world and preach the gospel to every people, because God wants to use us!
As we end this month’s ministry update, we cannot hold back some exciting news. This month we added 2 new churches to our monthly support team as well as a family bringing our promised monthly support to 72%. Would you praise the Lord with us today at this exciting news? After you do, would you please send us an email letting us know you did and also letting us know how we can pray for you! We look forward to reading your emails with the kids. jared.loucks@hotmail.com
Interested in becoming a support partner? Just send us an email and we would love to connect you with more information about what God is doing in our lives and how you can become part of the team. Want us to come share our ministry at your church? Just let us know and then let your pastor know. We want to connect and allow others to join us in reaching the people of Paraguay, South America! Let’s CONNECT!
Jaha Paraguay Pe!
The Loucks Family
Loucks 2 Paraguay 