My Gift for Jesus

Each year in December, Fox River Christian Church focuses on International Missions and highlights what God is doing through partnerships in Kenya and Nicaragua. The challenge is to remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and to give a gift to Jesus by meeting physical needs of those for whom there is no help or hope.

LA ESMERALDA, NICARAGUA is in the mountains and even basic healthcare is hours away. In partnering with the church in this community, God has given us the privilege to build a medical clinic staffed with a doctor, nurse and pharmacist. This clinic has over 10,000 patient visits in a year and serves many communities on the mountain. The sports ministry reaches about 70 young men in the community through structured sporting events. Both ministries are meeting real physical needs in hopes to open the door to share the good news of Jesus Christ. In 2016, we celebrated the clinic's 5-year anniversary.

BOMANI & VIPINGO, KENYA are 2 communities north of Mombasa in which Fox River sponsors a church, school and nutrition center. the greatest need in these communities is for education that breaks the cycle of poverty. There are 850 children from age 3 to high school that receive an excellent Christian education, 2 meals a day on school days, uniforms, all school supplies and basic healthcare that includes health education. This year marks 10 years since we began this journey in these communities. It is incredible to see how these ministries have changed lives, family and the entire community! 

Join with us in this journey to be the hands and feet of Jesus. $25 a month is all it takes to sponsor a child in one of the Kenyan schools or support the clinic & sports ministries in Nicaragua. Here's how you can get involved:

1. Click on one of the links on the bottom of the JOIN US page at foxrivermissions.org to give a one time gift or sponsor a child in Kenya.
2. Join us for a church service at any of the Fox River campuses this month to learn more about the life changing difference your sponsorship can make. You can speak with one of our missions volunteers at the picture booth to pick up a Nicaragua prayer card or to get connected to a sponsored child in Kenya.

Through your compassionate giving, you are offering hope to a child, a family and an entire community by demolishing the strongholds of physical and spiritual poverty!

Scott's story

When we heard Scott's story we knew we had to share it with you all.  God is working and He uses us in ways we would never imagine!

Check it out...

"In 2010, I went on a construction mission trip to Nicaragua to build a medical center that Fox River was funding.  I had a couple of things close to my heart concerning this trip.  The first was that my son was coming along, and I was excited to see if he would deepen his relationship with Christ as a result of serving and being among 30 men, all of whom were believers.  I also had the simple call from Christ to fill a need – and the villages near the medical center site most certainly had.  It was fulfilling to know that one speck on the planet would have health care where none existed before our trip.  That was what stuck with me throughout the trip and beyond.  What God had in store was much greater than what I had imagined or even thought of imagining. 

While I spent the week making cement, I had a following of children who hung out at the site.  They seemed to be present to pass the time and make a little mischief.  I loved it.  Then, they began to work.  Kids from the age of 6 were carrying bricks, making cement, pushing wheel barrels full of cement to where they needed to go and other physically demanding work.  I was nothing short of impressed with their willingness to help and their exuberance and joy.  I thought that, at the most, the new clinic would improve their health.  They would be able to fight off infections, their mothers would have a lower infant mortality rate, and the like.  I assumed these kids would work with their fathers in their trade or work the fields as many of the other teens were doing.  What I didn’t expect was how tying the clinic to the church would change everything. 

In 2016, I returned to Nicaragua with my wife and daughter.  I was in the medical team, while they were on the community team, doing evangelism and outreach.  Upon arrival, I saw a couple of faces I recognized.  Some of the kids that worked with me had grown up and were there to greet me.  Fortunately, the Lord had prompted me to process some of the photos I took on my previous trip and bring a stack with me.  They really enjoyed being able to see their childhood pictures. 

Jorvin was one of the kids I remembered.  I had his childhood picture, still in my possession.  Donna, the full-time resident evangelist was with half a dozen of us as evening began to set in, prompted us to share our stories.  Jorvin was sharing his emotion-filled story.  He had decided to work for the church.  This meant he had to leave home.  He had to leave family.  To speak of leaving the family in this culture is quite a break in the norm.  His love for them was great, but his calling was greater.  He had even decided to leave the small community of Esmeralda and go to seminary in Managua.  Think of moving from rural Iowa to the heart of Detroit.  It was a culture shock and a big transition.  He was filled with love for Christ, but was also sad with what circumstances had brought.  I think he wondered where all this came from and if it was the right thing to do.  That is when I stood up and gave him a picture of him from six years earlier.  I told him that I had been praying for him for the last six years.  No more words were said.  It seemed clear when he stood up, wrapped his arms around me in tears and hugged me that it was God at work. 

The kids that worked and played with me six years earlier are leaders in the church.  Out of the bunch, Norvin leads worship, Denis is the pastor, Katherin is working with women and children and heading out to seminary as well.  The bulk of leadership at the church are the ages of 13-21. The church is thriving!  They have matured and stepped up to be the examples of joy and love, which are the hallmarks of a true Christ follower. 

In 2010, I had no idea I would be standing on the same site in Nicaragua six years later, and witness how God works.  Over time, over circumstances, through people.  He has a long-term vision for us, and I was able to see a small slice of that work through Jorvin’s story.

I could not be happier with what I witnessed in Esmeralda this past summer.

~Scott Mathison"

2017 Nicaragua Trip

Summer 2017 we are taking high school students on our summer trip to Nicaragua. Are you interested in joining us to see first hand the impact Fox River makes in these communities?

Who: High school students (9th-12th grade).

When: June 22nd-July 1st 2017.  Cost of the trip: $1,500

What:

• VBS events in the local schools
• Community outreach (hygiene packs)
• Youth Events
• Church services
• Make new friends
• Continuing to develop and strengthen relationships with the church and clinic
• And so much more

We are so excited that we get to take our students to experience this. It is our desire to help you see a little bit of how a different culture lives and how giving just one week of your life can make an eternal impact.  Join us for a life-changing experience!  We cannot wait to see what God does! 

If you are interested and would like more information please email our Student Ministry pastor, Mike at, mfrancisco@foxrivermissions.org

2017 Kenya Trip

Interested in seeing first hand what God is doing through Fox River in Kenya? Join us for the 2017 mission trip to Kenya.

• Continue to build the partnership with the churches in Vipingo and Bomani
• Spend time in our 2 schools getting to know the staff and children
• Community outreach events 
• Community service project
• Encouraging our partners in ministry

This is an amazing, life changing trip! You will fall in love with the children who are so grateful for the difference you and Fox River are making in their lives!

Jorvin

We are honored to introduce you to Jorvin and his story.   He is a great friend to Fox River and we have loved watching him grow as God has worked in and through him.

Jorvin is on staff as the youth pastor at the church in La Esmeralda.  He has been part of the youth group from the very beginning…although we have been told that when he first started going he was the trouble maker.  As the years went on he became a faithful member of the church and as he grew in his faith Pastor Denis saw something great in him, something he knew that God would use for His good and glory.  That is when Pastor Denis put Jorvin in charge of the youth.  Since then he has taken over the youth group and he also runs the soccer league up in La Esmeralda. 

When Jorvin decided to give his life to God for full time ministry his parents did not support him.   When he told his parents he was so excited, because he knew what a gift it was to be called to ministry.  But his father did not feel the same, he told Jorvin that if he would do this he would no longer consider him a son.  He ended up having to move out because his family would not support what God was asking of him.  This was an extremely difficult thing for him to do, but he stepped out in faith knowing and trusting that God was in control.  He didn’t have anywhere to go, he didn’t know where he would sleep, or what he would eat, yet he told God he would do what he was asked and that meant becoming an alien to his family.  He saw how God provides for the faithful and he has been able to mend some of his broken family relationships.  Now Jorvin's little brother, Hamilton, is leading the youth while he is away in Managua at seminary. 

We see a great future for Jorvin as he continues to grow and trust in God.  He just finished his first year of seminary, he has another 3 to go.  If you have been reading along with us you would know that Fox River has bought land in a community called “Las Nubes” for a church to be built on.  Along with Jorvin it is our prayer and desire that he will lead this church after he graduates.  He has been instrumental already in leading bible studies and children's activities in this community and even while he is at school he continues to invest in them.  His heart and passion for God is incredibly beautiful. 

Will you pray for Jorvin with us?

• For his next few years as he studies in seminary.
• For his heart; being away from his home is hard.
• For his ministries; his heart desires to be in La Esmeralda and Las Nubes.
• That he continues to allow God to mold him.

KCPE Testing

Students prepare very hard for the KCPE Exam.

The next three days are a very big deal for our students in Class 8 (eighth grade) at Crossroads Academy in Vipingo and New Life Academy in Bomani. In fact, Class 8 students across Kenya have a big week ahead of them.

Nov 1-Nov 3, Class 8 students in Kenya will sit for the KCPE Exam. This national exam is a comprehensive test of six subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, Swahili, English, and Religious Education. The exam is graded out of a total of 500 possible points. It is intended to be very difficult. 400 and above is considered a very good score.

The KCPE exam functions as an end of primary school exam, but also a bit like the SAT or ACT here in the United States. A student's score on the exam can determine if they will be able to continue their education in high school, and what high schools they may be accepted into.

Needless to say, there can be a lot of pressure on the students to perform well in this exam. The students can become very nervous. They have prepared hard. Now they need calm minds to perform to the best of their abilities.

Would you join us in praying for these students over the next few days as they take this big step in their education?

Las Nubes

We are so excited to share what God is doing in Nicaragua.  Are you ready?

As many of you know we as Fox River partner with The Familia Avance ministry.  We built and help fund the Medical clinic in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua.  Because the La Esmeralda church is in direct connection with the clinic we have built a very strong relationship with them!  We as Fox River have taken many trips... some to build, some medical, and many to serve alongside this church to encourage the ministries they have there.  Many of our team members would call this place a 'home away from home'.   We truly love this place and are so excited to watch as God grows these ministries!  And, Oh is He doing just that...

Through the partnership we have made with Santuario Familiar Bautista- La Esmeralda (the church) we have seen how their ministry has grown and expanded into the surrounding communities.  One of those communities is 'Las Nubes'.  Las Nubes is 5km from La Esmeralda (20 minutes by car, 1 hour by foot).  This community is a very poor community.  Not just materially poor, but also very spiritually poor, which is so evident when you look into their faces.  The need for a church in this community is so great.  Pastor Denis and his team have been called to bring hope to these people.

Here Pastor Denis shares how they do church do in Las Nubes now...*

"Semanal vamos a las nubes a realizar escuelitas Biblica, Ingrid tiene un estudio con niñas adolescentes acerca de pureza, este estudio con niñas es por el problema de que a temprana edad tienen relaciones sexuales, en Diciembre de este año, vamos a llevar a los niños de la esmeralda y tener actividad con los niños de las nubes, donde le llevaremos unos pequeños regalos, vamos hacer una casita de madera en el terreno de las nubes para empezar a realizar estudios con Jovenes y adultos, Jorvin dara este estudio los fines de semana, tenemos una familia que visita fielmente la iglesia, ademas vamos empezar una liga de futbol con jovenes de las nubes.  La iglesia de la Esmeralda irà a las nubes para limpiar el terreno de las nubes y enpezar actividades con jovenes, ademas cada mes vamos a ir a presentar pelicula al colegio de las nubes con Jovenes.  Pedimos oraciobes a ustedes Fox River por todas estas actividades. Les    queremos mucho Fox River e infinitamente gracias por todo su amor y apollo a estas comunidades de tanta pobresa espiritual. " - Pastor Denis

*Translation--"We have weekly bible studies in Las Nubes, and Ingrid has a study with teen girls about purity. This has been a great issue at a young age. In December of this year, we will take the kids from La Esmeralda to Las Nubes to be able to have a activity with all the children, as well as taking some small gifts. We have a wooden house on the grounds where we are able to have youth and adult studies which Jorvin does on the weekends.  We have one faithful family that comes to the church in La Esmeralda for services. We ask for prayers from you Fox River for all of these activities. We are infinitely grateful for all of your love and support in these communities." -Pastor Denis

As seeds have been planted, God has made it clear that he wants expansion to this ministry.  Pastor Denis and his team have been shown so clearly that a church is needed in this community of Las Nubes.  They have been working hard at spreading God's word and love there as they wait for pieces to fall into place for a building to house the church that is already been growing in this community.

We are so excited to share that God has made it possible for Fox River to support this ministry.  This summer land was purchased... did you catch that? LAND WAS PURCHASED!!!  Pastor Denis and Familia Avance signed the papers and now own the land that the building for Santuario Familiar Bautista - Las Nubes (the church) will be built!  Those of you who give to Missions at Fox River, this is what you are a part of! 

God is at work and his plans are unfolding, will you pray with us?

• For the funds needed to be able to build this church in Las Nubes.

• That the word will continue to soak into the lives of the people in this community, so that they can find the hope that Jesus brings. 

• For the future Pastor, team, and members of this church, that God is preparing their hearts even at this very moment.

• For all of the activities that are taking place and for the leaders to be used by God in great ways.

Exciting things are happening in La Esmeralda and now in Las Nubes.  We are so blessed to be a part of it!

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New KG class

Our schools are choosing which sweet kiddos will be the new kg1 class students.   

Jenna is going to share what that looks like at Crossroads Academy, Vipingo...

"Hi Everyone!

This is Jenna, Fox River's missionary to Kenya, and I wanted to give you just a brief update of how you could be praying for us.

The third term at Crossroads Academy brings a lot of ends as well as beginnings. Our oldest students in the 8th grade prepare for the BIG TEST that determines their high school and also wraps up there final year as a Crossroad student. This is very bitter sweet for us.

3rd term also brings in new beginning in the form of a fresh KG1 (first level of Kindergarten) to our school.

Waiting for interviews. 

We informally refer to it as “the picking day”.

We put so much energy and intention into making sure that out of the 100ish families that show up with their school age child is reduced to a final 35 who are in MOST need.

It takes us the better part of the day. Their information is taken and interviews of each family are conducted by myself and a few other members of ‘the team’.

I wish I could tell you the effect that nutrition, education, and attention has on a child who’s resources are slim to none.  Families come through our church doors seeking a slot for their child who will get a consistent meal(s) throughout the day and an amazing free education – the process of reducing the crowd to a singular class size is not lost on me.

I look at our KG1 classroom right now as our school year wraps up and I hear them singing new songs and saying words in English.  I see them helping out there classmates and sitting in their small chairs listening to their teacher.  I’ve even watched a few of them accept Christ!  And I remember (somewhat fondly) the FIRST day they came to our school.  It was their first time away from their mothers and we had to make them porridge to sip out of plastic cups so that they would stop crying! Teaching didn’t begin for at least two weeks as they learned how to be in a classroom and to listen to a teacher.

That will all start again soon. A whole new classroom will be picked and a whole new beginning is greatly looked forward to by us all.

An education for these children in the Villages of Vipingo, Burani and Rea literally changes families lives.

We take each step seeking the wisdom of God and trusting that He will help us to pick well!

Amazing transformations are taking place out here – and we are excited to add to the family!"

 

We appreciate Jenna, our teachers, and administrators so very much.  For the hard work and dedication they give for these students!   

Will you pray with us as Friday approaches?

• For the staff - That they would receive wisdom and peace as they make these decisions; for God to guide their hearts and minds...
• For the kids-  That each child that comes recognizes how loved and wanted they are by our God!  That they come to school eager to learn. 
• As much as we wish we could, we just don't have a spot for every child.  It is heartbreaking.  Will your pray for those children and their families?  Ask God to make himself known to them.

Update on Dawn

Dawn has been in Nicaragua for a month now and as to be expected, she has been busy.  We enjoy being able to watch and hear about how she learns about the different sides of missions.  

Hear from Dawn herself... ​

 "These last few weeks have been a whirlwind, especially the last 10 days with having my first missions team here from Iowa. This experience has been nothing short of amazing, but man is it exhausting. To be on the other sides of missions and to see, feel, and live the prepping and executing that goes into this all is almost unexplainable. But I will try my best to bring my thoughts and pictures to life for all of you."

​You can read the rest of this post as well as her other posts here...​ https://worththewaitbydk.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/first-missions-team-completed/

Will you continue to pray for her with us?  ​Here are some certain areas... 

​• To continue to work on learning more and adapting to hearing & speaking Spanish

• For a medical missions team that comes next week and being a translator in that setting

• And most importantly for the teens in Pochocuape to really allow Christ into their hearts and understand the gift of salvation that is offered to them.  

Kerri is home!

Kerri is Home!  Some will say that this is may not be 'home' to her anymore because so much of her heart is in Nicaragua. "Home is where the heart is!" is a quote that we all know and have heard many times.  Does her heart yearn to be there? Yes, because when she is there she can call it home, she is 'Home'! God has given her people there to live life with and to work alongside in the ministry he has placed in her heart!  To be a missionary you have to have people who send you, people that help fuel (through prayer, encouragement, support, love...) the heartbeat you have for the mission God has called you to!  There are many here at 'home' that do this for her, that give her the love and support she needs.  The people are what make it 'Home', Kerri knows that she will always have people here, her people!  So, yes she is 'home' and yes she misses 'home'.  We count it as a privileged to be a part of her 'Home' and to watch as she pursues what Christ has placed one her heart! 

With that, will you pray for her with us? To have a heart in multiple places as it strives to do as God asks is an emotional task. 

She has been home for a little over 3 weeks, she has shared some stories and lots of excitement about what God is doing in Nicaragua!   

She was able to see so much of the ministry that Fox River has partnered with there.  Many new places and of course those that were already firmly planted in her heart!  

Her latest blog post is all about how she was able to share Christ's love to certain group of kiddos throughout her summer! 

 "There is no thing in this earth that is greater than love.  Love that sits with kids in the dirt, love that lets them braid your hair (even though you hate it when people touch your hair), love that shows up, love that makes sounds and motions to try and communicate, love that holds on tight and never lets go, love that gave it all.  This love is what they need.  They need the love of Jesus.  I am so blessed to have been able to be part of giving that love to them. "    

Check out the rest of this post and her other one from this summer...  http://persiguiendo13.blogspot.com/2016/09/i-want-to-share-with-you-about-some-of.html?spref=fb&m=1

While you are there drop her a a note of encouragement!