Readson's - Malawi, Southeastern Africa
Baby Joshua took his time coming out to play and he already has his mother's blood pressure rising, literally! On Friday, March 13th, Joshua had not yet turned head down, in the womb, but doctors knew it was time for him to be born. The next day they planned to perform a cesarean section; however, when Mervis was examined Saturday morning Joshua had turned head down over night. Yay! So, the doctors began to induce labor, but, unfortunately, Mervis's blood pressure rose each time she experienced contractions. This went on for two days, which was very hard on Mervis. To address this problem, the doctors performed a cesarean section on Monday, March 16th, and healthy Joshua began his life outside the womb. Many family members and friends, both in Africa and America, give thanks to God!
Now, a week later, Mervis and Joshua are still in the hospital, because Mervis's blood pressure is still too high for her to be released. Also, because of the COVID-19, it is safer for mother and child to remain in the hospital. (Thankfully, there are no COVID-19 cases reported in Malawi at this time). Mervis's mother is with them in the hospital 24/7, and Patrick prepares their meals. After making breakfast, lunch and dinner, each separately, Patrick uses public transportation to deliver it. Their hospital, like many others worldwide, do not provide meals, or many other services for their patients that many of us are accustomed to and expect. We hope they will be released to go home soon and we will give you an update on their status next month.
Note: We thank those who provided extra donations to cover the costs of a better equipped hospital and transportation expenses for the Readson's. You have enabled Mervis, and Joshua, to receive good medical care, which she believes saved her life.
Weiss Words
Are we enough? I love Dave Coffield's perspective in a recent letter he sent me, in which he says...
"As I was running, I was thinking about Father and the way He views us. It occurred to me that..."
" Our God is not a 'do more' God."
"We have all had the experience of watching a game like soccer where children are playing. You are hard pressed not to be shocked by the behavior of the parents as they scream at their children to run faster, play smarter, be more aggressive, etc. How do you think most of the children feel? They feel like who they are and what they bring to the game is not enough. It is never enough."
"We are enough for our Father"
"We are profoundly loved, embraced, and accepted just as we are."
"Why is Father not a 'do more' God? Because it is His work to build His church, His work to grow His children up into the image of Jesus, His work to bring judgement at the right time to this world. If we are invited into the process, it is strictly for our benefit to see His glory and what He is about."
"We 'get too,' we don't 'have to.' I don't know why that is so hard to grasp but it seems to be an elusive concept in our Christian culture. From our pulpits we seem to constantly be telling people that they need to do more, work harder, and be better."
"When Jesus was baptized by John, the heavens parted, the Father leaned out, and with joy said, 'You are My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.' The Father's pleasure in Jesus lay in the relationship, not in the labor. In fact, the labor that the Lord would engage in was crafted by the Holy Spirit and Jesus was led into it."
"May the Lord grant us the grace to rest in His love and to know that we are 'enough.'"
"The Father's pleasure in Jesus [and us] is in the relationship, not in the labor."
Osman is also using technology to stay connected with his 47 disciples. He leads a number of Bible studies throughout Freetown, Sierra Leone. He wants to stay connected with everyone who attends the Bible studies he leads in Freetown, Sierra Leone. But, it is not safe to gather in groups larger than 10 and public transportation their means for travel. So, he is going to use his phone for group calls that won't cost his disciples a penny. In Sierra Leone, like many other countries, the person who makes the phone call is the only one who pays for the call. For Osman, a normal phone call with one person costs him about 5 cents a minute but only 2 cents a minute more to add unlimited people to the call. Isn't that cool? A 60 minute phone call with one person costs Osman about $3.00 but a 60 minute group call only costs him $4.20. It is amazing how the world is using technology to continue relationships during the COVID-19 crisis. In the green box below I share about meeting with Osman, and others, every Friday 8-10am EST using Zoom. You are more than welcome to join us. Just click on this link, J3 Ambassadors Weekly Zoom Meeting, create a free Zoom account, if you don't already have one, and you're in. I would love to see you Friday!!!
Our discipleship group, "J3 Ambassadors," meets every Friday from 7am to 9am EST using Zoom. We are working our way through the Gospel of Luke, and have paused at Luke 2:41 to see why Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the Passover. Please join us to learn what the Passover Feast meant to them and what is can mean to us today. J3 Ambassadors Weekly Zoom Meeting
We'd love to know how you are doing, so please feel free to send Darlene an email at DLWeiss@me.com or Michael at MJW1958@gmail.com. You can also call/text Michael at 757-329-9753.Giving and Additional Resources
Giving
J3 Khai Ministries (J3K) is making a greater impact because of supporters like you. We are able to apply 100% of each donation to our mission of discipleship and spiritual coaching. Check out the various ways you can give below.
We receive donations through The Bridge Christian Fellowship, no longer through Disciplers International.
To give online check the Yellow "GIVE NOW" Box above and select "J3 Khai Ministries" in the drop-down menu to make a recurring or one-time donation.
If you are designating your gift within J3K, to help the Readson's, Flavien, Osman or myself, please include that in the note section of your online donation or memo line of your check also.
Please make your check out to The Bridge Christian Fellowship, include "J3K" in the memo line, and mail it to 1116 Hillwell Rd, Chesapeake VA, 23322.
For assistance making an online donation or viewing your giving history, please contact minerva@thebridgecf.org.
Ministries and Resources
Here are some of my favorite tools and ministries. I encourage you to check them out to deepen your spiritual walk and discipleship footprint. Click on the name to go to their webpage.
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
Disciplers International Sandals Church
Simon Sinek author of Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last and
The Infinite Game
Healthy Leaders by Malcolm Webber