"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow..."

Praise God!...We have reached enough in donations for one plane ticket! Only three more to go. God has been so faithful in providing. We are truly thankful! We spent yesterday, with the help of Mike's brother Tim and sister-in-law Sharon, getting things put into storage and more boxes packed. We could have never done it all without their help...THANK-YOU! In six days our journey will begin for the summer.

"Our God is an Awesome God..."

Our God is such an awesome God. Today was the final day of my Mom's in Touch group here in Lynden. This group has been such a wonderful support to me this last year. We have laughed, cried, and prayed together. This year God had me "being still" before Him in prayer. As I would listen to the different ladies' praise and give thanksgiving week after week I was strengthened and renewed in my spirit. I have been truly touched by this group and I am so thankful for them. Today at our final brunch I walked away with such a strong sense of God's Faithfulness...from the encouraging words given to me and the wonderful testimonies given. He is so awesome in His provisions. Thank-you Ladies!

"Great is Thy Faithfulness..."

I just came from having tea and praying with a friend about the incredible journey the Lord is placing us on. She specifically asked that God would bless us today to encourage us. Well....when I came home and checked the mail, there was a check waiting for us designated to help with our airfare to Benin! Our first donation! Thank-you God!

What does the next few months look like for us before we fly out on August 1st?

We will leave Lynden, WA on June 4th and travel to Deb's brother's place in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. We will spend a day or two there and then travel to Montana/North Dakota to see Mike's dad (who is now 90) and try to raise some support at our old church in Froid, MT. From there we will finally take the kids to Mt. Rushmore. Then we will head to Lindale, Texas for training for 5 weeks at the Mercy Ships International Operations Center. We will leave Lindale on July 18 and head to Deb's parents in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Then we will spend a few days with Mike's brother Tim on Bainbridge Island, WA and then fly out of Seattle August 1. (And Deb was looking forward to a quiet summer with the kids!)

"Savior-You can move the mountains..."

This has become the theme of the Jacobsen Family for the past few weeks and for a very good reason. We first learned about Mercy Ships in February and thought we would look at going with them in the fall of 2010. Then suddenly a critical need for a Financial Director arose. We received a call on April 21 and next thing we knew Mike was flying down to Lindale, Texas to the International Operations Center for Mercy Ships for an interview. Then by May 6 we received the "official" okay. They wanted Mike to fill the position.

What does this mean?
It means we have to put 18 months of preperations into 6 weeks.
It means we are planning to be gone for at least two years-possibly three-with the option of four. (We promised Alisia she could graduate grade 12 from Lynden Christian so the 4th year option is totally up to her.)
It means...
1. Plan for someone to take out 17 year old cat Shadrach (who Mike has had since before we were married)
2. Some to rent our house.
3. Sell the cars.
4. Get shots.
5. Raise $ for plane tickets (about $10,000).
6. Raise monthly support.
7. Pack up the house.
8. Buy supplies/clothing.


As I said...It means our God has to move some mountains to get us there. But He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20 NIV).


What will Mike be doing?
Mike will be the Financial Director for the Ship.


What will Alisia and Joshua do?
Alisia and Joshua will go to school aboard the ship. They have a full school on the ship were they not only go to school, but they will also be invoved in work experience programs aboard the ship.


What will Deb be doing?
As of yet, that is not yet decided.