November in Pohnpei

Hello my Friends!

I'm still here in Pohnpei and will be here for a little while longer with Iris Micronesia. I was planning on going to Amsterdam for a conference called Mission Possible but doors opened for me to stay here. There was a handful of us who stayed behind but they have all headed home now. My friend Tessa and I are the only ones left. In January several people will be headed back for the next school in March.

It has been awhile since my last post and there is so much to share I'll try to keep it short and sweet. Ministry and life here is very simple and a lot of it flows through relationships. Ministry is life and life is ministry. It's not something we do to earn brownie points with God. It's just an overflow of the love that He has poured out on us. So as we do life, opportunities for us become available to release the Kingdom of God.

My friend Zoe went into a little souvenir shop and found out the shopkeepers husband was really sick and in a lot of pain. This lovely woman took Zoe behind the shop, which was part of their home, and Zoe was able to pray for the man. We went back to their house with some banana's to catch up and see how they were. The husband was still sick but said his pain has gone down! We prayed again and I'll go back soon to check in on them. This is life and how most of our ministry is done.

Iris Micronesia partnered with a local church here call Every Home For Christ. They have a Bible College too and these students joined us in the Harvest School. Thank God for them! I've learned so much from them. These Pohnpeians are special people. They're so passionate, on FIRE for Jesus and are releasing revival here in Micronesia.

We started doing weekend ministry with our Pohnpeian brothers and sisters. Which means every Thur-Sat we have groups going around the island and outer-islands doing outreach, community service and then one group fundraises (sells baked goods, fire wood, car washes) to support the different missions. We've seen people healed, many have given their lives to Christ and families are being restored! God is so GOOD!

A few weeks ago, I went and stayed in the village of Pihs (pronounced Peace). This village is in the middle of revival and are on fire for Jesus. Every night they have meetings and are pursuing the presence of God. They're so hungry for presence and every time they see us they ask when we're coming again. My friends and I were walking from house to house just saying hi and checking the village out. We stumbled upon a big birthday celebration where we were welcomed in and fed lots of good food. Pohnpeian's know how to eat. When we left they brought us a basket full of yams, pig and right on top was a whole front leg of a dog. Paw & all! Haha, somethings you just can't think about :) You smile, you eat and always show your thankfulness for being honored in such a way.

After our feasting we had an amazing meeting where the Holy Spirit came and left us undone in His presence. I'm always in awe of how good our God is. My friend Caleb prayed for a man who was deaf in one ear and it opened up. I prayed for a lady was was blind and she can now see 5ft in front of her. My friend Tess washed the feet of a demon   possessed woman and watched as the woman was filled with the peace of God. Another lady who has been sick and in a lot of pain for the last 3 years is now healed and all pain is completely gone. We also had the privilege of praying for 3 people to receive Jesus into their hearts. One elderly man sat with tears streaming down his face as he gave his life to God. It was so beautiful I couldn't contain my own tears. It's a beautiful life we live :)

Well thats whats happening in my part of the world :) I sure do miss you all! I think of you and pray for you often. Let me know how I can pray for you. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!

Lots of Love,

Jess

New AMAZING update from Micronesia!

Hello Friends,

First off I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to post any pictures of my time here. I have no way of moving them off of my camera to a computer. Hopefully I can figure something out soon so all of you can see the beautiful island of Pohnpei here in Micronesia. This place really is a hidden gem. There is another school in March and I highly recommend applying for it :)

I have amazing things to share with you and I’m not sure where to start! God has been moving here in miraculous ways that constantly leave me in awe of His love and goodness. Two of the workers here at the park where we’re staying at have given their lives to Jesus! It’s amazing to watch them come even more alive and full of joy. One of the guys has already been witnessing to his family and gave them a bible so they can start reading the Word of God. Revival is coming and has come to Pohnpei!

Every other Wednesday night we go to a park in town called the Spanish Wall and have a gathering there. Pohnpeian’s love to dance so there is always dancing and dramas. One of the girls here in the school knows how to fire dance so she also performs and it is amazing. We then have a time of sharing the love of Jesus and about 250-300 people have given their lives to Jesus! He is so good!

 Last Wednesday night, at the end, we did a FIRE tunnel! A fire tunnel is where we make two lines facing one another and then people walk through the middle and we pray over them and bless them. One lady was coming through and when I started to pray for her she started manifesting a demon. I tried to gently guide her out of the line but she started flopping around very aggressively and the demon tossed her to the ground. Sidenote – Demons do exist today and people do need deliverance. Deliverance doesn’t have to look like the exorcist. The enemy always wants to show off and destroy people’s dignity. However we have the power and authority to tell him to stop, shut up, and leave. People aren’t projects. Don’t entertain evil so that you can look super spiritual. Back to this lady – She was on the ground so I bent down next to her and just started proclaiming freedom and the Shalom peace of God over her. She immediately quieted down and stopped shaking. I then prayed a simple prayer over her and she started thanking Jesus. She was free! We then went through the fire tunnel together and she was filled with the Holy Spirit! It was so easy, it didn’t take hours and the most important part was she felt loved. “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and release from darkness the prisoners…(Isa 61:1).”

Oh but the goodness doesn’t stop there! This last weekend my team and I went for a 45min boat ride to the island of Parem where no one was serving God (was is the important word ;). Five weeks ago another team apart of this school went to Parem and they were not warmly welcomed. However, I’m so thankful for them because they did the hard work for us and tilled the ground. We were received well but the people were still a bit shy. In these cases it is more about building relationships then blasting people with a quick word and leaving. God has really been speaking to me about how I am, you are, the tangible love of God. He put His Spirit upon me (Isa 61 again) so that I can be His tangible love to those around me.

So we went in low and slow :) We played with the kids, made them dinner and just chatted with them. This was tangible love that made an impact. We were invited to come to the elementary school the following day to pray and bless the kids. After that we walked around the whole island, this took about two hours, and prayed for the different families. The first home we came to was the witchdoctor’s house. One of my team members yelled out, “Oh yeah! Let’s go there and pray.” So we did….and God showed up! It was kind of ironic because he was sick himself. He invited us in, and let us pray for him. THEN the most amazing thing happened, one of our Pohnpeian brothers lead him to the Lord! We then stayed in that place for a good 30 minutes just worshipping and proclaiming the Word of God over that land. It was absolutely incredible. He told us that he was feeling much better too :)

That night we had a little service with the family that hosted us on Parem and from all outward appearances it didn’t seem to be sinking in or received. Then once again, Gibson (He is Pohnpeian), began to tell them about Jesus and the freedom He brought. I’m not sure of the exact number but I’m pretty sure 5 of the adult family members prayed to receive Jesus! And then in the morning we woke up to them singing in Pohnpei, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” It was such a beautiful weekend.

Just today I heard this amazing testimony about a lady from the church who was deaf and mute. Several weeks back my team went and stayed at the church here called Every Home for Christ. They have partnered with Iris Micronesia and have been so wonderful. Half of my Harvest School is made up of their Bible College students. Anyways, while we stayed at the church we met this mom (late 60’s) and daughter (40ish) who were both deaf and mute. We prayed for them then that the Lord would open their ears and lose their tongues but nothing changed. Well every week people have gone and prayed for them and this Sunday the daughters ears were opened and her tongue was loosed!!! Praise you Jesus :) My friends shared that as she was learning to say Jesus for the first time, she would gasp and giggle. Don’t stop praying and don’t give up even if it takes a 100 different peoples prayers for breakthrough. Keep praying for people even if you don’t see the miracle because you’re breaking up the hard ground and your planting seeds.

So much goodness in one update! I hope that wasn’t too overwhelming :) I love Jesus and I love what He is doing. Please be praying for me as I make plans to go to Europe. There are still several things that need to fall into place. Sometimes I strongly dislike the step-by-step process but that seems to be the journey I’m on :) This trip is very important though because it will allows me to meet with leaders from different nations that are not easily accessible.

I love you guys and I’m so thankful for all of you!

Jess

True Love

Hello Friends!

I hope you all are doing well! I think of you often and miss your faces :)

God has been doing amazing things! Shocking, I know ;) Jesus is always moving and He is always speaking. The question is are we seeing and are we hearing. This last Wednesday night we had a big party at a park here in Pohnpei and about a 100 people gave their lives to Christ! It was an amazing night full of so much love. The Pohnpeian's have a beautiful culture of love and honor and I've bee learning so much from them.

This week my team also went into the hospital and prison. This was the outreach I have been waiting for :) We saw many people healed! So many people regained energy where they were able to sit up to eat and drink. Others were completely touch by the love of God that tears poured down their faces as they encountered Papa God. One woman (She was 85) had horrible head and knee pains and was blind in one eye was healed. Pain left her body and then we covered her good eye and asked her to tell us how many fingers we were holding up. She answered correctly ever time!

We also went to the prison and that was such an encouraging time! Who knew prison would be so much fun :) I've never been apart of hospital or prison ministry before and now I'm asking myself WHY not! It's my new favorite :) A lot of the men in the prison are already following Jesus which is amazing. So my group went just to love and encourage them but we also felt like the Lord was calling some of them to be pastors. We asked if any of them were feeling like God was calling them to pastor and 6-7 men stood up. We prayed over them and released them to pastor. Men were also getting healed and set free. Such an incredible time!

God has been speaking to me about love and if you'll give me a minute I'd love to share.

1Corinthians 13 (Read this and read it slowly. Then go read it in the Message translation)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It  is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

God is love. Jesus is love. God is holy. Jesus is holy. A holy, righteous and just God who keeps no records of wrongs! A holy and righteous Jesus who ate with sinners, touch peoples filth, and did not condemn the adulterer. What? How can this be? Jesus, don't you know you're righteous? 

Jesus help us and forgive us! We reject the very ones you have come to love. Teach me how to love. Teach me to love like you do. A love that compels people to you. A love that stirs a desire in their hearts to be holy as you are holy. Help us remember that it is your kindness (not rudeness) that draws people to repentance. Give us patience, Lord! The same patience and joy that led you to die for US (not just them...us) while we were still sinners. Jesus, we need to be changed by you. I don't want to be resounding gong. I don't want to claim to love but in reality I'm just a noise that causes others to run. Lord, I do not want to possess knowledge, wisdom and prophecy and not have love at my very core. Lord, I want to be possessed by You and You are love. Reveal to us what kind of love this is and not what religion tells us this love is. Help us Jesus!

Jesus is moving and speaking. Ask Him where He is going and what He is saying. Then go and do it and be possessed by radical love!

Love you and miss you all!

Jess

Micro Update

Hello from Pohnpei!

It has been such an adventure since being here. My skin is so dark I'm turning into a Pohnpeian ;) I've only burnt myself once but that was enough for me. Sunscreen has become my best friend. Believe it or not, I never used sunscreen and bug spray in Africa like I do here.

Enough of that :) I love it here! Pohnpeian people know how to laugh and enjoy life. There seems to never be a dull moment. This school has about 100 students and half of them are from here in Pohnpei! I love that we get to do this journey with locals and learn from them. There is nothing that excites me more than seeing people hunger for Jesus and willing pursue Him at all cost. God is moving here in Pohnpei and the young and old desire to release the Kingdom of God here on earth!

I live in a place called Nihco Marine Park. I think if you google it, you'll be able to see their website and it will give you a good picture of where I'm staying. The owners of the park opened it up to us for these next few weeks while we are in school. They're not Christians and none of their workers are so it has been an absolute joy to be here and bless them. Everyday we have class here talking about Jesus in english and pohnpeian over loud speakers :) I'm excited to see what God does. Here is how you can pray for the Pohnpeian people - A lot of the Pohnpeian people use sakau (sa-cow) and beetle-nut as numbing drugs. Sakau is a plant they beat with rocks to get the juice and drink and beetle-net is some kind of powder they chew. Even young children chew beetle-net not really understanding what it is but it is highly addictive. Depression is a big issue here so suicide and these numbing drugs are common. Take heart! I've been so amazed at Gods goodness :) Some of the Pohnpeian students here have shared their testimonies and God is moving in the hearts of these people! Gods arms are wide open and His children are running into His arms finding joy that cannot be quenched by the trials of this world. His JOY is our strength!

Speaking of His joy being our strength....I climbed the tallest mountain here in Pohnpei where you can look out and see the whole Island. Personal opinion - you can get a better view from the airplane ;) Haha! It was a great experience and probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. We had a guide but he couldn't remember the way so we made our own path HA! I cried about four times :) It's funny now but in that moment I thought I was going to die on that mountain. There were times that we had sheer drops on either side of us and other moments we had to go down such steep mountain sides that we would slide hang onto trees and then slide hoping to catch the next tree. I don't think I can paint a clear picture with my words to even explain what it was like. Good news - the guide knows that shortest route now and the other groups won't have to experience all we had to! Our guide was amazing even though he didn't know the way and I was so thankful for him. This mountain is one they train their military and police on and he said he was impressed we made it to the top :) I've never been so happy to be on solid ground!

I learned a lot about myself on this journey and it probably won't stop there. I've had some struggles but I'm leaning on my beloved knowing that He has good things for me. I'm learning that God brings things up in our hearts not to condemn us and rub our failures in our faces, but He does this because He cares! He gives us opportunities to become more like Him. We are going from glory to glory! 

Healings:

A woman with extreme pain in her abdomen was healed.

A woman who could hardly walk because of bad knees danced in church!

Legs have grown out!

Back pain gone!

A mans eye infection has been reduced...we'll be praying for him again :)

I love you all and miss you! Thank you for all your prayers and support :) Be blessed!

Micronesia

Pohnpei, Micronesia

Hello Friends & Family!

I’m very excited to announce that I am starting my journey as a long term missionary in 2 months! This has been my heart’s desire for over 10 years and this dream is now my reality. I’ll be joining Iris Ministries in Pohnpei, Micronesia for the first ever Level 2 Harvest School. This is a 9 week training course packed full of exciting opportunities to bring Jesus to the South Pacific. From there I’ll be sent out with other laid down lovers of Jesus to the darkest places in the world to see Gods love and transforming power released all over the earth.

In 2011, while I was in Pemba, Mozambique, the Lord began to speak to me about Asia. I knew God called me to the Nations, but I always thought my home would be in Africa. I was shocked at first, even refused to listen to what God speaking, but then my heart was overwhelmed with love I’d only known for Africa and now Asia. It is hard to say no when your heart is filled with that kind of love. So, I said yes.

I thought I was going to be leaving for Asia right away; instead I found myself in Redding, California. You see, God knows what you need and when you need it. His desire is for us to lack nothing and He is such a good Father who will always prepare you for what is ahead. I went through 1^st Year Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and graduated in May! Part of what God has called me to do in ministry is to reveal who we are as Sons and Daughters of God. Funny enough, 1^st year is all about identity and the Fathers love. He was preparing my heart so tenderly, but heart surgery is painful at times too J

Pohnpei wasn’t even on my radar. Being launched as a long term missionary was, but I thought that was going to be further down the timeline of my life. However, God opens doors and loves to fulfill the desires of our heart. In less than 24hrs of turning in my application for Level 2 Harvest School, I was accepted. I couldn’t believe it but knew with complete certainty that this was exactly where I was supposed to be and what God was preparing my heart for.

So here I am. I’m beginning a journey that is bound to be full of the glory of God. Where I’ll go and who I’ll be with has not been determined, yet. To let you into my heart and thought process…He has put Korea, The Middle East, Israel and some other countries on my heart. I’ve also been seeking God about becoming a midwife. I know of a Midwifery school in the Philippines where I can do all my studying and I can be certified through The States. These are all possibilities; I just don’t know which one it is at the moment.

I’d like to invite all of you in on this amazing journey! I’ll be sending about newsletter updates at least once a month and if you know anyone who would enjoy reading, please feel free to pass it along. I’d also love to hear from you! I can’t always guarantee I’ll reply directly back (mostly due to internet connection), but it is so encouraging and refreshing to hear from friends and family.

This won’t be in every newsletter, but if you would like to sow into the birth of this ministry there are several ways. Pray & Prophecy – This is always appreciated and needed. It you have a prayer or prophetic word, please don’t hesitate to send it to me J Financially – Paypal.com is an option as well as sending me money directly. You can also give money to my tuition through irismin.org. There is a bit of process if you want to go through the Iris Ministry website. You’ll have to let me know if this is the route you choose to give, but it’s easy to walk you through the process.

Thank you for walking this journey with me and continually showing your love and support. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead!

Blessings!

Jessica

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email: dareu2move05@msn.com

Phone USA: 503-841-2024

Address USA: 1227 SW 26^th ST. Troutdale, OR 97060