Just in Case...

I ever forget the power of the body of Christ. Or that God cares about the details of my life. Or that the Lord wants us to be in Kenya. I want to record the beauty of the Lord's goodness and provision this last month.

~We sold our house with just a "For Sale by Owner" sign and only 1 open house. All in 1 month.

~We had to replace the roof and fix the windows, but with the insurance it was completely covered.

~We needed a house to stay in by September 12 and the Lord provided an amazing missionary house for us that opened up on September 2. Which is right across the neighborhood from Kyle's parents.

~Our dear friends the Humphreys provided a moving van, movers and storage for our furniture.

~The Duinincks are allowing us to keep our furniture in their basement during out time in Kapsowar.

~Leah came over and worked like crazy to help me sort, throw and pack my house. I couldn't have done it without her!

~My precious neighbor, Marceta, watched my boys countless times so that I could accomplish such a task in such a short time. All with joy.

~My mother in law, Marlene, came over and let the boys spend the night at her house so we could work into the late hours of the night. Never once complaining or letting on how tired she was. And then watched them the next week while we went to WMM orientation.

~The profit from our house was within $100 of the repayment of my student loans!

Praise the Lord with us! Remind me if I ever question God's amazing power and love.

We are now settled for a few months here in Broken Arrow! Things are coming along. Thanks for all who are following and supporting us in this journey!

P.S.

Good report from Isaac's cardiologist. He had no concerns about us leaving for Kenya. EKG looks good. Still a murmur which indicates the holes have not closed yet. Next appointment in November. Keep praying with us that the holes will close on their own.

And Jude had a really fun 2-year-old birthday party with Diego in our new house.

Kapsowar Video

Hey Everyone,

Check out this cool video. It is from the missionary family that was formerly at Kapsowar Hospital, the place where we are going. Anyone want to come and visit?!

http://www.aimint.org/can/video/kapsowar_hospital.html

More Precious Than Silver

This week we accepted an offer on our house! We praise the Lord for His faithfulness to provide for all of our needs. I had some mixed emotions. I love this little house of ours. I remember the first night we slept in "our very own house" almost 7 years ago. There are so many memories tied up in this little old house of ours...

When Kyle told me that they accepted our counter-offer I started crying. You see they negotiated our swing set. I couldn't help, but remembering watching Kyle and some of his buddies building that and how excited Hudson was the first time he got to go down his slide and fly in his rocket. And I wanted to hold on so tightly to this precious possession of ours.

Everynight when I put my boys to bed I sing a few songs...and that night I sang to Jude "Lord you are more precious than silver". Tears started streaming down my face and Jude noticed my voice change. He looked up at me and said "crying". He took his little blanket and wiped my tears and put his head back on my chest as I finished the song.

So bottom line, the sweet Holy Spirit reminded me that nothing on this earth compares to Him. Not tattered old houses or well loved swing sets. And I count it a joy to spend my life sharing Jesus with others so that they may know nothing this world has to offer compared to knowing and walking with Him.

Jones Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, a lot has been happening in our life right now…

First of all, we have a new member of the family! Isaac Henry Jones was born on May 31st, 2009 about 3 weeks early, our smallest baby yet at 5#7oz. He is a little guy but strong! He has recently been diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in his heart. The cardiologist will continue to monitor him and is very hopeful that the hole will close on its own without surgery. Hudson and Jude love him so much and are wonderful helpers.

Another new beginning in our life is my graduation from Family Medicine Residency. It’s official, the many years of training are over and now starts the “practice” of medicine. I guess doctors are always learning. It has been a privilege to train at a Christian program that really taught me how to combine my faith with medicine. I will be working at the same clinic where I did my training here in Tulsa for the next 5 months and then…

We plan to leave for the mission field in early January 2010. We will be working with World Medical Mission (WMM), a branch of Samaritan’s Purse, at a mission hospital in Kapsowar, Kenya in Africa. We were accepted into WMM’s 2-year Post Residency Program which will provide for some of our financial needs and offer training and mentorship as we get started. We are very excited to see the Lord fulfilling this vision that we have both had for a long time. The Lord’s calling was clear and we are ready to follow His lead. I will be working in a 100-bed hospital with 2 other missionary doctors. We will have the opportunity to minister to the hospital staff, patients and surrounding community. We can’t wait to see how much fun our 3 boys are going to have playing with all the other kids. Hudson already calls himself a missionary. Vanessa is excited to begin homeschooling our kids and getting involved with women and children’s ministry. We certainly covet your prayers and support as we prepare for this next step in our lives. We are tremendously grateful for your prayers and encouragement over the years.

We would love to have you partner with us in our ministry. We need a team that will faithfully pray for us as well as individuals who could support us financially. Enclosed is a response letter. If you have further questions we would be happy to share more about our ministry with you. If you would like to continue to receive our newsletter please send us an email.

In His Service,
Kyle and Vanessa Jones
Hudson, Jude and Isaac

Prayer Requests:
· Pray for the people of Kenya whom we will serve and the hospital in Kapsowar.
· Pray for our preparations to go: spiritual, physical, emotional and financial.
· Pray for the hole in Isaac’s heart to heal and for the health of the rest of our family.

Email: kvhjones@sbcglobal.net

For Lou Lou

Our neighbor Lou Ann moved away on August 1. She was a dear, sweet friend to us. My boys absolutely loved her and she absolutely adored them. She gave so much joy to our family and we miss her dearly. I could call on her anytime...night or day and she would be there to listen, change a diaper, cook a meal, wrestle with Hudson, rock Jude to sleep and sometimes I even caught her mowing our lawn. She moved to Texas to be close to her sister. It's been almost 2 months now and I still find myself looking out the door waiting for her green truck to pull up. When she calls I put the phone up to Jude's ear and he smiles from ear to ear and tries to talk back to her. She's been emailinng requesting pictures of the boys, so this video is for her from Hudson 'cause I know she misses his sweet little voice, just as much as we miss hers.

Is that Jude Walking?

Jude started taking his first steps at 10 1/2 months. And by 11 months he's cruising around the house. Here's proof. Plus a few extra photos of the boys for those who don't get to see their sweet faces all the time.

Tiger Magic

On September 5, 2008 (Happy Birthday Laurel), on an unusually cool day in Tulsa, we hopped in the car and headed to the Broken Arrow vs. Union game. We traditionally go every single year. Each year, I wonder why we torture ourselves because it has be at least 19 years since Broken Arrow has beat Union. Half time always makes up for the bummer of a game. But this year was different. The streak has been broken and the Tigers clobbered those Redskins!!
24-9! As I sat there watching the game and daydreaming (which I usually do during all sports events) I went back to my high school years. I remembered the lifelong friends that I made that were a family to me when mine was broken. A family that took my hand and put it into the hands of Jesus. They showed me how to be loved and to love as Christ compels us to. I remember those high school years so clearly. I was at every football game because I played the clarinet in the marching band.

**Side note**
And I must take a moment to tell you the Broken Arrow Pride is truly the grandest band in all the land (not just for its honors-we were always the underdog during my years). I made the best of friends and the sweetest of memories while committed to the Pride. Broken Arrow is an unusual school. The band kids aren't outcasts. Most everyone finds their niche and is accepted for who they are. I know, I know they aren't as cool, but they aren't the stereotypical band nerds either. Case in point...on Friday night after the game was over and the crowd rushed the field in great excitement, the football players ran over to the band yelling & cheering, helmets high as the band played the fight song over and over. They appeared to recognize their faithfulness as fans all these years through victories and many defeats.

Anyway, I remember those days when I only knew when to cheer because everyone else around me started to. Or when Betsy, our drum major, raised her arms in preparation for us to play. I used to sit in those bleachers and dream about what my life would be like. The Lord gave me visions that I have seen fulfilled. I graduated from college and spent my short career outside the home serving women and children who were hurting. I am married to the most amazing husband, my best friend, the Christian boy who played the saxophone right alongside me during those years (who taught me a significant lesson about football fields-if you are curious ask me about it sometime). Being blessed with 2 children of my own. Going overseas to serve people for the Lord with my family. I cherished the memories made Friday night, watching Hudson chant "B-A, B-A, Broken Arrow Tigers" with his cousins. Watching Hudson running as fast as he could, tackling Kyle once he was let loose on that giant field. I was in awe as I watched Jude mesmerized at the band's half time performance. Oh, what a faithful God I serve. Thank You for giving me vision, for fulfilling those precious dreams You gave me and for walking with me in times of trial and times of joy. Thank You Jesus for making my life here on this earth so much more beautiful because of your handiwork.