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Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel, Writing

Of Things Not Seen

Pumpkin scented candles - Pinterest

Pumpkin scented candles
Pinterest

Pumpkin spice scented candles. Soft sweaters. Brightly colored scarves. Boots, oh boots of every length and color!

Leaves in glorious shades of orange, yellow, red, and brown. Fall is here, and we love and welcome it like a best friend who moved far away and is visiting, her stay much too short.

We’re teased in stores with the promise of Christmas around the corner: smiling snowmen, snow globes, shiny red and purple gift bags, this year’s cute Christmas tree decorations, fun toys and techy gadgets for the kids and teens, Silent Night or Carol of the Bells playing and our hearts sing and worship along in adoration of Jesus, the King of Kings.

But while so many are getting ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I prepare for Africa.

Purple journal

Purple journal

I journal in my new, oversized, purple diary about things on my heart. The excitement of this great adventure, a dream I’ve had for years and have been praying about.

The drums of Africa beat in my heart and blood. And at night, I’ve dreamed of Africa, even though I’ve never been there before. The dreams have been so real, like I was really there.

I’m reminded of the line in the movie Out of Africa, when Karen Blixen (played by my favorite actress, Meryl Streep) said, “I stayed in the room where I was born in Rungstedland and tried to remember the colors of Africa.”

I long to see the colors of Africa.

Africa

Africa

I also journal the fears. Ridiculous fears. And some that are warranted. Africa may not be “The Dark Continent” as many describe it, but there is some darkness there to respect.

I make lists. What to bring like my passport, driver’s license, and yellow fever immunization paper. What not to bring, like a hair dryer.

What to buy like dresses, skirts and blouses on sale for the warm climate and chocolates for the orphans. What to take here from home, like our daughter’s soccer ball, for children there to play with and keep.

Only a few more weeks until pastor Rose’s annual women’s conference in Bungoma, Africa. When she first invited me to speak there, I prayed and believe God told me to do this. Then I talked to my husband Ray, whose fleece was “if God provides.”

While Ray and I may disagree on how exactly God has accomplished that [he has wanted money to just fall out of the sky and I believe God provided through my July car wreck settlement, but Ray didn’t agree], this past week we were able to finally purchase Ray’s round trip plane tickets through some of his hard overtime work! (The website booking buddy has some great deals.) This is so exciting!

Initially we were going to buy my tickets first, but Ray was concerned about being “left behind” and me being alone and in possible danger in Africa, so we bought his first. If something were to happen to where I can’t go, then pastor Rose would still have a speaker for her conference. Ray is an amazing preacher and teacher!

Several weeks ago, a few donations came in from my friend Rochelle Valasek’s fundraiser webinar and my jewelry artist friend Jennifer Whiddon’s Dream BIG bracelet and I was able to get my yellow fever immunization!

This weekend some sweet friends made a donation and I was able to purchase my round trip tickets from Nairobi, Kenya to Kisimu Airport, Kenya, and then the return flight from Kisimu to Nairobi. Praise God!!!

Now Ray and I and my intercessors are praying in the money for my round trip tickets to Africa: for the long (expensive!) flight from Kansas City, MO, to Nairobi and then the return flight from Nairobi to Kansas City.

Beth Jonees, International Speaker/Author

Beth Jones, International Speaker/Author

I have faith that God will provide the money so I can go.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1, KJV

The evidence of things not seen. I don’t see it yet ~ in the natural. But I see it by faith.

Will you join me in this great adventure to encourage God’s daughters in Kenya, Africa?

To learn more, click here.

November 20, 2013 by
Blog, Faith, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Travel

Kenya Africa Speaking Missions Trip in December

Africa

Africa

This week I was surprised and delighted to read an email, inviting me to speak at a 3-day women’s conference in Kenya, Africa in December 2013.

The email was from Pastor and Secretary Roseline Mwashi and Chairperson Flora Masayi of the Matungu Women Christian Fellowship. Pastor Roseline said they found me online here at BethJones.net. She said for six years at their women’s conference, they’ve had local speakers, and in April 2013 they had an American speaker, Pastor Sharon Hurkens.

Pastor Sharon and her husband have been pastoring a church for 30 years. I emailed Pastor Sharon to find out if she had spoken there and if this was a legitimate request, and it was. She has a few pictures on her website of her trip. We  exchanged several emails. She’s been a wonderful help. Pastor Sharon gave me great advice and very helpful tips if I decide to do this.

If I go, I will be responsible for all expenses and need to get a yellow fever shot and a visa. My dates would probably be December 3-11 or December 14-21.

The purpose of this missions trip would be for me to share God’s encouraging word with His daughters in Africa to equip the saints and to advance the Kingdom of God, and for possible ministry and business/networking opportunities for my husband Ray and me. And of course we want to see Africa!

After praying about this, I believe God is leading me to do this. Ray and a friend of mine want to go, too. Wouldn’t that be great?!!! I am so excited about this!

It will take a financial miracle for us to do this trip but with God nothing is impossible. I have said yes to God if it’s His will that I do this, and am asking Him to provide all we need and above.

Would you please pray and ask God if He wants you to pray and give a specific amount for financial support? No amount is too small or big.

I do not have a 501c3, not for profit organization, so your donations are not tax-deductible. But your support helps my business and ministry, Refreshing Waters, impact women’s lives globally with the truth and freedom of God’s Word.

You can either donate online by clicking here at GoFundMe! or mail a check or money order, made payable to Beth Jones, at:

P. O. Box 452

Butler, MO 64730.

If you have any questions, email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

Please be praying for God’s leading, blessings, favor, and protection for me, Ray, and our family as we continue to seek God’s face about this and other amazing missions opportunity in Africa and other nations.
 

 

July 12, 2013 by
Moving boxes
Blog, Faith

We’re moving: make room for the new

 

Moving boxes

Moving boxes

A friend asked me this morning in an email if I  had “recovered yet” from the RELEASED! Women’s Conference. She’s heard it was great, but knew it was a lot of hard work, stress, and expense for me. Well, I am still recovering. The conference was SO good and we had very positive feedback from attendees, but yes, it was exhausting. I don’t get to rest yet. This week I start packing!

We’ve been looking for awhile for a new rental home and while we desperately want to get out of this rural, tiny town of Butler (I call it “the hicks” or “the boonies”), we weren’t able to find a place outside Butler – but I did find one here that I really like (an older home that is newly remodeled, Spanish arch doorways in the den and dining room, a big recreation room downstairs, my own office space -pics soon after we move)! I’m very excited about moving and can’t wait! Our move-in date is May 15.

This week I’ve been purging, blessing a local church that accepts our old junk donations – things like gently used clothes, an imcomplete set of green plates, our fake Christmas tree, books.

It’s not always easy to let go. Things like:

  • Envy/jealousy;
  • Anger;
  • Unforgiveness;
  • Pride;
  • Discouragement;
  • Worry/anxiety/stress;
  • Self-doubt;
  • Limiting beliefs.

It’s not always easy to let go of physical things, either. This is especially true for my husband Ray, who won’t throw away anything and if it wasn’t for me, he could qualify for the show Hoarders.

But letting go of things physically, emotionally, and spiritually sets you free. I have felt so good getting rid of more stuff and donating it!

freedom

God, help me get rid of anything unnecessary that I don’t need emotionally and spiritually,  which hinders my intimacy with You.

Today think about what you may need to let go of to embrace what God has ahead for you. You can’t store the new wine in old wineskins or they will burst. Make room for the new.

“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” – Mark 2:22, NIV

 

 

May 7, 2013 by