Dear Friend of LOVEM Ministries CASA1631:
I am writing to let you know about a very important and exciting funding partnership opportunity for LOVEM Ministries CASA1631 . We have joined Preferred Toner Solutions, LLC in a long-term funding program.
For every PrecisePrint™ laser cartridge purchased by our referral network, Preferred Toner Solutions will make a donation of $10 to LOVEM Ministries CASA1631. And not just for this year, but for the life of the account!
Plus, you or your company will save 30%-50% off name-brand retail prices when you make the switch to PrecisePrint. Shipping is FREE.
Currently, PrecisePrint laser compatibles are being used by clients like University of Michigan Hospital, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, SoftPro (Raleigh, NC), Dodge City Public Schools (KS), plus hundreds of law firms, school districts, hospitals, colleges, banks, automobile dealerships, and corporate offices across the country.
Please visit www.TonerFundraisers.org or call 734-751-4180 to find product information, company credentials, and discounted pricing.
Thank you for considering this business opportunity. You or your company can save money, and LOVEM Ministries CASA1631 will receive $10 per cartridge that you purchase.
Sincerely,
Don and Jody Fields
PLANNING TO GO, WILLING TO STAY!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Forgot to post before Christmas...

Merry Christmas to you all! Jesus is the reason for the season.
We just want to thank you all, and give some updates. You are such an encouragement to us. Prayers, donations, emails...thank you. Never has anyone questioned whether we have made a mistake in our plans to go to Brazil. "In God's timing." There's always a reason." "Maybe you were just to be obedient no matter what." These are the things we hear. One day we'll know, right!!! I think of Jan and Scotty who tried for quite a while before they were able to go to Brazil permanently,and then they went as retirees. We also just heard from someone whose work visas were just authorized after 3 years! As my signature says, we are "planning to go, willing to stay."
In the meantime your support has made it possible for us to minister, literally to the ends of the earth. We would like to share what you have (whether you know it or not!) been involved in. In 2008 we personally have been to Brazil and Mexico on short term trips. That is possible because tourist visas are different than the volunteer visas we need to live in Brazil. We have helped with a mission camp-both with our time and by making it possible financially for others to attend. We have provided new believers with Bibles. Money was sent to help missionaries in Brazil. We helped send missionaries to Europe, and the Middle East. We helped a small church put on a VBS. We have given English lessons to Hispanics. All of these things were possible because of your prayers, encouragement and financial support. Praise God.
Our family has had quite a year. We have experienced many things for the first time. Some have been wonderful. Some, I hope we never experience again. Through it all, God has been faithful. He has been us through it all. More training for the ministry? Don has a job he enjoys. Jody is still translating. Maggie (20) is almost done with her associates degree and is considering working in a children's home. Emily (19) has a new husband, Ben Houser, and they will be having our first grandchild in June. Jacob (14) is interested in cars, a Mustang in particular. Curt (13) is still sports crazy. Treyton (4) is attending the developmental preschool 3 mornings a week and can't wait for Santa to bring him a big, red fire truck. We just had to say goodbye to Renan, our exchange student who was with us for 6 1/2 months. While I look out the window at the snow, he is in Brazil, in the 90 degree heat!
We're looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2009. We would like you to pray about a trip we are planning to Brazil in July. We hope to take a group ( 4 youth and 4 adults) on a river trip, working with missionaries Amanda Smith and Jan and Paul Scott. Prices for everything have gone up so much. We are praying and know that if God wants us to go on this trip, he will provide all we need. If he doesn't, we, as a group, are open to ministering in another area.
Have a blessed Christmas!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Wedding arrangements...
Dear Friends and Family,
I plan on starting calls tomorrow, but I hope this will help keep everyone informed. Ben and Emily's wedding will now take place in the fellowship hall of Faith Family Ministries, 508 W. Green Street, Frankfort. They decided the weather wouldn't make it very enjoyable! That's 6 PM Thursday the 13th.
I plan on starting calls tomorrow, but I hope this will help keep everyone informed. Ben and Emily's wedding will now take place in the fellowship hall of Faith Family Ministries, 508 W. Green Street, Frankfort. They decided the weather wouldn't make it very enjoyable! That's 6 PM Thursday the 13th.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Last call...
for the Brazil trip applications. If you have plans to go, I need the application by Wednesday.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Invitation
Our daughter, Emily, is getting married November 13. All friends and family are welcome. You can find out the details, and RSVPif you would like to attend at http://cs02.ewedding.com/v30/main.php?a=emiben08.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Romans 8:28
Wow! Pastor Russ's message today was just for us. Oh, I know it wasn't really, but it could have been. The message was "Everything Will Work Out"...the way God wants it to , ultimately, for my good.
I have to believe that God's Word is for me personally, if I am a believer. I may not always like how things are working out, but I have to receive God's working for me. Behind every promise of God there is the providence of God. things are all sifted through His fingers,for our good. And in the end, I will achieve God's will for my life...because it's for His purpose. God is more interested in my character than in changing my circumstances.
Pastor Russ says sometimes it seems like the wheels are falling off, the engines not running, etc. We might have a bad day, a bad month, or even a bad year. But in the end, it is for our good. I have to say that if I look at things through fleshly eyes, we've had a bad year. We are not (obviously) in Brazil, and don't know why. We've moved several times, Don has changed jobs 3, or is it 4 times? We've seen our children struggle. But through spiritual eyes, I see that God has met all of our needs, given us many opportunities to minister in spite of what we've gone through, and I've seen growth in our family that will only benefit us later.
We still hope to go to Brazil when God releases us. Until then, we will trust that He is making us into His image, and believe that He will meet our needs.
We are still planning a short term trip July 2009. I can email applications if you are interested, but I need to know in a week or 2.
New house
I have to believe that God's Word is for me personally, if I am a believer. I may not always like how things are working out, but I have to receive God's working for me. Behind every promise of God there is the providence of God. things are all sifted through His fingers,for our good. And in the end, I will achieve God's will for my life...because it's for His purpose. God is more interested in my character than in changing my circumstances.
Pastor Russ says sometimes it seems like the wheels are falling off, the engines not running, etc. We might have a bad day, a bad month, or even a bad year. But in the end, it is for our good. I have to say that if I look at things through fleshly eyes, we've had a bad year. We are not (obviously) in Brazil, and don't know why. We've moved several times, Don has changed jobs 3, or is it 4 times? We've seen our children struggle. But through spiritual eyes, I see that God has met all of our needs, given us many opportunities to minister in spite of what we've gone through, and I've seen growth in our family that will only benefit us later.
We still hope to go to Brazil when God releases us. Until then, we will trust that He is making us into His image, and believe that He will meet our needs.
We are still planning a short term trip July 2009. I can email applications if you are interested, but I need to know in a week or 2.
New house
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ministry Opportunity
Matthew 10:27 says, "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops." If you are interested in ministering in Brazil this summer, you're invited to a meeting October 12, either at 12:15 in the left balcony room of Faith Family Ministries, or at 4:15 at 1355 Burlington Ave. Email fields.jody@gmail.com or call 242-2684, for more information.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
August Newsletter
I apologize if the pictures and captions are a little off center. I had trouble placing them.
“A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
How true we are finding these words to be. We’ve shared before from Elisabeth Elliot’s writings on a quiet heart. She spoke of how Jesus was peaceful in the boat, crossing the water in a storm because he knew they were going to make it to the other side. The disciples panicked because they forgot that Jesus had told them that they were going to the other side. He didn’t say they were going to the middle to drown. Wow!! We thought we understood that when we began this journey, but our understanding now is so different.
We got to speak to a pastor friend today who reminded us that we go through things so that when we are teaching we won’t be doing it in theory. We will really be able to say we’ve learned to be content in any situation, that we know what it is to wait upon the Lord. Our hearts want to be in Brazil now. We still believe that desire to be from God. But His plans aren’t for us to be there yet.
Our message at church today was about running the race with perseverance. We were chosen to run this race. It is a contest and a conflict (internal). It is our unique race, and there are no timeouts. It is full of obstacles, and to run it to win requires great endurance. Thanks for the reminder, Lord!
We want to serve Him however he wants us to, and walk through doors, as he opens them. We don’t want to get ahead, and try to force things.
As for day to day life, Don is doing maintenance at Turtle Creek Apartments, Jody is interpreting for the hospital, and they both do youth, and serve on the mission team at Faith. Maggie is finishing her associates’ degree at Taylor, doing a paper route, and serving the youth and kids at Faith. Emily is working at NHK and starting classes at Ivy Tech. Jacob is a freshman through Penn Foster, while Curt has started 7th grade at Clinton Central. Treyton will attend developmental preschool at Southside.

Renan at mission camp
This has been a summer of opportunities. We have been blessed to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus in many different ways.
We began in late May by picking up our exchange student, Renan Carneiro. He will be with us until December, and plays soccer for Frankfort. He fits right in with our family-poor guy!!
Maggie and Jacob were able to get tourist visas to Brazil. They went with Truth Project on a two week trip to the Amazon region. They were able to help minister in Santarem, Obidos and villages along the river. They got to work with our good friends Scotty and Amanda. A pastor in Obidos told Maggie that he’d had a dream,and in it we were in Brazil with them.

Jacob, Maggie and Brazilian friends
Immediately following this trip, Jody, Maggie, Renan, Jacob, and Curt spent a week participating in a mission camp. We stayed at Crown of Thorns Christian Camp. We traveled to Indy every day to do VBS type program at the Edna Martin Christian Center. Youth were also pulled out to go serve meals at the Wheeler Mission, paint and repair an elderly lady’s house, and paint cabinets at the Center. Every evening we would return to camp to find out what country would be featured. We ate food typical of the country, and heard from missionaries who served there. We also had wonderful special music!

Curt at the Edna Martin Christian Center

Jody with a Mexican cutie
We left this camp one day early so that Jody, Maggie and Jacob could fly out to Mexico with a group from our church and Volunteers of Hope. This was a very different experience for us, as we served in a border town, Miguel Aleman, which was full of drug lords. We, in one week, built two houses, worked on the church and dorm, did 2 days VBS, visited the prison, distributed food and hygiene kits, just to name a few things!
It doesn’t stop yet. We arrived home on a Saturday, and one week later we helped a local church put on a VBS. They had contacted us early in the spring and said they’d like to do a VBS, but didn’t have the resources or the manpower. We joined with them to plan, and rounded up volunteers from Faith and then went to work.

Don and Renan at VBS

VBS fun
We praise God for providing us with the opportunities, resources and strength for this ministry marathon! A taste of what fulltime ministry is like?
Future Opportunities
We’d like to share with you several ways you can get involved. First and foremost, you can pray. We know you have been praying. We can see the results. Some current requests are:
• Opportunities to minister locally
• Guidance and strength for our family. Planning, preparing, and then waiting (three years total now) is stressful for adults, but especially for teens and children. God is seeing us through it, but it is not easy.
Second, you can contribute financially. Third, you can join us in traveling to Brazil, or in ministering locally. Right now we are planning a trip to Brazil, hopefully in July of 2009. We will have an organizational meeting in late September.
Please contact us if you feel led to go, or if you know of any local needs we can help meet.

This could be you on a boat on the Amazon! If only it were all this easy!


Emily and Treyton enjoy the summer
On the Move Again
While we love the house we are renting, it is for sale. If it should sell, it would be difficult to locate another rental for a family of our size, on short notice. For this reason, when we were made aware of a suitable house that will soon be available to rent, we decided to move.
If you would like to help, we will be cleaning and painting the new house beginning September 3rd. We hope to move things on the 6th and then will need to clean the house we are in now.
We are also looking to purchase some used items:
• 2 dressers
• 4 desks
• Washer and dryer
• Refrigerator
• 2 BMX bikes (the boys’ were stolen)
Our new contact info, as of September 3rd, will be 1355 Burlington Avenue, Frankfort, IN 46041. Jody’s cell phone number is 765-242-2684, and Don’s is 765-242-3729. Our email is still fields.jody@gmail.com, and the blog is www.casa1631.blogspot.com.
“A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
How true we are finding these words to be. We’ve shared before from Elisabeth Elliot’s writings on a quiet heart. She spoke of how Jesus was peaceful in the boat, crossing the water in a storm because he knew they were going to make it to the other side. The disciples panicked because they forgot that Jesus had told them that they were going to the other side. He didn’t say they were going to the middle to drown. Wow!! We thought we understood that when we began this journey, but our understanding now is so different.
We got to speak to a pastor friend today who reminded us that we go through things so that when we are teaching we won’t be doing it in theory. We will really be able to say we’ve learned to be content in any situation, that we know what it is to wait upon the Lord. Our hearts want to be in Brazil now. We still believe that desire to be from God. But His plans aren’t for us to be there yet.
Our message at church today was about running the race with perseverance. We were chosen to run this race. It is a contest and a conflict (internal). It is our unique race, and there are no timeouts. It is full of obstacles, and to run it to win requires great endurance. Thanks for the reminder, Lord!
We want to serve Him however he wants us to, and walk through doors, as he opens them. We don’t want to get ahead, and try to force things.
As for day to day life, Don is doing maintenance at Turtle Creek Apartments, Jody is interpreting for the hospital, and they both do youth, and serve on the mission team at Faith. Maggie is finishing her associates’ degree at Taylor, doing a paper route, and serving the youth and kids at Faith. Emily is working at NHK and starting classes at Ivy Tech. Jacob is a freshman through Penn Foster, while Curt has started 7th grade at Clinton Central. Treyton will attend developmental preschool at Southside.

Renan at mission camp
This has been a summer of opportunities. We have been blessed to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus in many different ways.
We began in late May by picking up our exchange student, Renan Carneiro. He will be with us until December, and plays soccer for Frankfort. He fits right in with our family-poor guy!!
Maggie and Jacob were able to get tourist visas to Brazil. They went with Truth Project on a two week trip to the Amazon region. They were able to help minister in Santarem, Obidos and villages along the river. They got to work with our good friends Scotty and Amanda. A pastor in Obidos told Maggie that he’d had a dream,and in it we were in Brazil with them.
Jacob, Maggie and Brazilian friends
Immediately following this trip, Jody, Maggie, Renan, Jacob, and Curt spent a week participating in a mission camp. We stayed at Crown of Thorns Christian Camp. We traveled to Indy every day to do VBS type program at the Edna Martin Christian Center. Youth were also pulled out to go serve meals at the Wheeler Mission, paint and repair an elderly lady’s house, and paint cabinets at the Center. Every evening we would return to camp to find out what country would be featured. We ate food typical of the country, and heard from missionaries who served there. We also had wonderful special music!

Curt at the Edna Martin Christian Center

Jody with a Mexican cutie
We left this camp one day early so that Jody, Maggie and Jacob could fly out to Mexico with a group from our church and Volunteers of Hope. This was a very different experience for us, as we served in a border town, Miguel Aleman, which was full of drug lords. We, in one week, built two houses, worked on the church and dorm, did 2 days VBS, visited the prison, distributed food and hygiene kits, just to name a few things!
It doesn’t stop yet. We arrived home on a Saturday, and one week later we helped a local church put on a VBS. They had contacted us early in the spring and said they’d like to do a VBS, but didn’t have the resources or the manpower. We joined with them to plan, and rounded up volunteers from Faith and then went to work.

Don and Renan at VBS

VBS fun
We praise God for providing us with the opportunities, resources and strength for this ministry marathon! A taste of what fulltime ministry is like?
Future Opportunities
We’d like to share with you several ways you can get involved. First and foremost, you can pray. We know you have been praying. We can see the results. Some current requests are:
• Opportunities to minister locally
• Guidance and strength for our family. Planning, preparing, and then waiting (three years total now) is stressful for adults, but especially for teens and children. God is seeing us through it, but it is not easy.
Second, you can contribute financially. Third, you can join us in traveling to Brazil, or in ministering locally. Right now we are planning a trip to Brazil, hopefully in July of 2009. We will have an organizational meeting in late September.
Please contact us if you feel led to go, or if you know of any local needs we can help meet.
This could be you on a boat on the Amazon! If only it were all this easy!


Emily and Treyton enjoy the summer
On the Move Again
While we love the house we are renting, it is for sale. If it should sell, it would be difficult to locate another rental for a family of our size, on short notice. For this reason, when we were made aware of a suitable house that will soon be available to rent, we decided to move.
If you would like to help, we will be cleaning and painting the new house beginning September 3rd. We hope to move things on the 6th and then will need to clean the house we are in now.
We are also looking to purchase some used items:
• 2 dressers
• 4 desks
• Washer and dryer
• Refrigerator
• 2 BMX bikes (the boys’ were stolen)
Our new contact info, as of September 3rd, will be 1355 Burlington Avenue, Frankfort, IN 46041. Jody’s cell phone number is 765-242-2684, and Don’s is 765-242-3729. Our email is still fields.jody@gmail.com, and the blog is www.casa1631.blogspot.com.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Here we go again...
Wow, are we busy! Praise the Lord! Brazil went well, with people accepting the Lord, Maggie being locked in a bathroom for 2 hours ...We spent the last week at mission camp with some wild and crazy youth, most of whom had never been to church camp, let alone do mission work. We traveled to the Edna Martin Christina Center for a little inner city ministry, with side trips to the Wheeler mission, and to paint and repair an elderly lady's house. With Christ's strength, everyone rose to the occasion! We leave in the morning for Mexico! When we return, the fair begins, and then we have the VBS with Harmony Baptist.
As soon as that is over, we will try to get out a newsletter with details and pictures! Have a wonderful 4th!
As soon as that is over, we will try to get out a newsletter with details and pictures! Have a wonderful 4th!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Truth Project update
If you haven't checked out the truth project blog, you should. Here's how the latest entry starts out:
6/19
Second day in Obidos John and Junior crossed the Amazon in a Kayak this morning. We continue to see dolphins everywhere we go. We visited 4 churches and put on another Vacation Bible School. It started out looking like rain and 6 kids arrived God broke the clouds and we sent the six out to bring their friends and ended up with 35. Also had a soccer clinic in a well to do school.
http://truthprojectmissions.blogspot.com/
6/19
Second day in Obidos John and Junior crossed the Amazon in a Kayak this morning. We continue to see dolphins everywhere we go. We visited 4 churches and put on another Vacation Bible School. It started out looking like rain and 6 kids arrived God broke the clouds and we sent the six out to bring their friends and ended up with 35. Also had a soccer clinic in a well to do school.
http://truthprojectmissions.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Jacob Fields mistaken for Harry Potter?
I just got an email from Maggie. The team is in Santarem, staying in a hotel, and she says she misses the boat. She said in Obidos, when 1 of the pastors and his wife realized who she was, they came back with and interpreter, hugging her and crying. She said the pastor said to tell us he had a dream, and in it we were there in Brazil with them. :) I found out they have a blog they have been updating: www.truthprojectmissions.blogspot.com. You can look for yourself, but I will tell you on the 17th it says that Jacob Fields was mistaken for Harry Potter. I've never seen the movies, or read the books, but I have to admit that's pretty funny!
Hope you've had a great Lord's day!
Hope you've had a great Lord's day!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Amazon trip update
I haven't heard too much. I got a text, Jacob said they were having fun. Maggie said all was going well, Obidos (where we hope to go) was amazing and the pastors sent their love. Nill (from Brazil) emailed and said that he had talked to Scotty(missionary there) and they were going to Belterra today. That is a day trip from Santarem, where Amanda and Jan and Scotty live. That means they are off the river, and ministering in the city.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Brazil trip up dates
One of the men on the trip with Maggie and Jacob has a way to text messages to an email for parents. I will post them as I get them.
Its 1300 on sunday, we just had lunch, and we're cruising up the tapajos river....
Its 1300 on sunday, we just had lunch, and we're cruising up the tapajos river....
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
Where do I begin? Today has been busy. Among other things, Maggie and Jacob left for Brazil. As I write, they are in the air, between Miami, and Manaus. I must say, I have mixed emotions. I am so happy that they are going. What an opportunity for them both. They will be ministering in different villages on the Amazon River, and then in Santarem, where Amanda and Jan and Scotty are. They will spend 2 days in Obidos, our "home." How exciting and wonderful. I also feel a loss. I wish it were our family making our move. I wish I could be with Maggie as she returns after 4 years. I wish I could be with Jacob on his first flight, boat trip, visit to a foreign country, mission trip, etc. I wish I could hug our friends in Obidos.
Emily drove them to the airport this morning. Don was here with Treyton, Renan and Curt. I had to be at the church early to go for our training for our Mexico trip. I sat in a really big chair. : ) (1st picture) We unloaded cinder blocks, mixed mortar (2nd picture)and practiced building a wall (3rd picture). When we go (Jacob, Maggie and I, July 5-12) we will build 2 houses, roof a church, do 3 days of VBS, door to door evangelism, and take medical supplies to a clinic. I'm so excited to go. I will get to interpret also. If you would like to "buy a block" (help with construction supplies) please contact me.
June 29 through July 5 we will be helping with a mission camp. Several local churches have planned it. Youth will be staying a Crown of Thorns camp and traveling to Indy every day to do VBS at one shelter, and serve meals at another. When we return in the evening, we will get to hear missionaries from all over the world speak, and there will be bands playing later. The cost is only $25! If you have a middle school/high school student who would like to attend, or would like to help in some way, contact me soon.
On July 19th we will be helping Harmony Baptist do a 1 day VBS sports camp. It will be from 10am-3pm, with lunch served. If you have a student, 1st-5th grade who would like to attend, or are interested in helping, again contact me.
We are going to be working with Truth Project, and Faith Family Ministries mission team in July and August on some more events. We will keep you informed!!!
It's exciting the doors God is opening for us. He isn't done with us just because we aren't in Brazil. That is good to know!!
You can email me at fields.jody@gmail.com, or call 765-242-2684.
Happy Fathers Day to you dads!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Prayers and praises, needs, silly and serious!
Dear family and friends,
Just wanted to update you on a few things.
I called the consulate as instructed, and got the voice mail again. I've left 2 messages and no one has called me back. Maggie did get her tourist visa, and will be able to go for 2 weeks in June.
We will be having a Brazilian exchange student stay with us this summer. His name is Renan. He's 17, and plays soccer. We pick him up from the airport on the 27th.
We do have a VBS we will be doing for Harmony Baptist Church in July.
Jacob is showing a llama named Poppins in 4-H. He needs to be tamed. Treyton's newest favorite is a View Master he got for his 4th birthday. Maggie and Emily will be sharing a room again when Renan moves in. It will be interesting since they have opposite schedules. (Emily works 2nd shift) Curt had a cool thing happen the other night. Long story short, the guy in charge of the umpires for Frankfort Little League had Curt ump with him 2 games. One on the field, and one behind the plate. He was teaching him the whole time. Then the umpire really praised him, said he was a natural, and that he could train him to be a National ump. He got our number so Curt could work with him this summer. Paid him too. This could develop into a career for him that he will really enjoy.
The house we are living in is for sale again. We'd love to stay here for as long as we are in the States, but don't want to buy. If it sales, we will be given a notice and look for somewhere else. If anyone knows of a rental that is suitable for a family of 7, with a limited budget, please let us know.
We have tried so hard not to buy furniture, in case we leave. We've gradually acquired a few things. We really need to get a few more, especially with Renan coming. If you have any of the following you could spare, we'd prefer to buy used. Here's the list:
3 dressers
2 desks
youth bed
2 bookshelves
toybox
mower
bicycle for a 17 year old
dining room table and chairs
Praise God for the rain and warmer weather!!!
Just wanted to update you on a few things.
I called the consulate as instructed, and got the voice mail again. I've left 2 messages and no one has called me back. Maggie did get her tourist visa, and will be able to go for 2 weeks in June.
We will be having a Brazilian exchange student stay with us this summer. His name is Renan. He's 17, and plays soccer. We pick him up from the airport on the 27th.
We do have a VBS we will be doing for Harmony Baptist Church in July.
Jacob is showing a llama named Poppins in 4-H. He needs to be tamed. Treyton's newest favorite is a View Master he got for his 4th birthday. Maggie and Emily will be sharing a room again when Renan moves in. It will be interesting since they have opposite schedules. (Emily works 2nd shift) Curt had a cool thing happen the other night. Long story short, the guy in charge of the umpires for Frankfort Little League had Curt ump with him 2 games. One on the field, and one behind the plate. He was teaching him the whole time. Then the umpire really praised him, said he was a natural, and that he could train him to be a National ump. He got our number so Curt could work with him this summer. Paid him too. This could develop into a career for him that he will really enjoy.
The house we are living in is for sale again. We'd love to stay here for as long as we are in the States, but don't want to buy. If it sales, we will be given a notice and look for somewhere else. If anyone knows of a rental that is suitable for a family of 7, with a limited budget, please let us know.
We have tried so hard not to buy furniture, in case we leave. We've gradually acquired a few things. We really need to get a few more, especially with Renan coming. If you have any of the following you could spare, we'd prefer to buy used. Here's the list:
3 dressers
2 desks
youth bed
2 bookshelves
toybox
mower
bicycle for a 17 year old
dining room table and chairs
Praise God for the rain and warmer weather!!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Prayer Requests
Please be in prayer for us. Maggie currently has an application in for a tourist visa to Brazil. If it's God's will for her to go short term this summer, we pray that it will be approved.
Of course, as things go for us, we've had a surprise. After months of calling the consulate and getting the answering machine and having no one call me back, I spoke to a live person yesterday. It was the lady who originally helped us. She said to call back in 15 days and she would see what she could find out. Why 15 days, after 11 months, I don't know. Please pray for us. After we've made steps to stay, it will be emotional to go if the visas are approved. There will be some things that will have to be worked out as far as supporters go, also, after all this time. Of course, it will still be emotional if we find that they are denied. And to be told to wait again...But we know that God is in control.
Of course, as things go for us, we've had a surprise. After months of calling the consulate and getting the answering machine and having no one call me back, I spoke to a live person yesterday. It was the lady who originally helped us. She said to call back in 15 days and she would see what she could find out. Why 15 days, after 11 months, I don't know. Please pray for us. After we've made steps to stay, it will be emotional to go if the visas are approved. There will be some things that will have to be worked out as far as supporters go, also, after all this time. Of course, it will still be emotional if we find that they are denied. And to be told to wait again...But we know that God is in control.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
From the upcoming newlsetter

“A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
We want to let all of you know how much we appreciate your prayer, support and encouragement. As you know, it has been 11 months since we applied for our visas. We know that God called us to ministry, and we have a desire to serve in Brazil. We know He has worked in mighty ways throughout this entire journey. Because of God, we are debt free. We have sold our house. We’ve developed many wonderful relationships and raised a support base. We also know that when he wants to release us to Brazil, our visas will be authorized.
Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time: it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Many times in scripture we find God’s plan taking what seems to us as humans to be an unreasonable amount of time. We see Abraham (Genesis 15) and Noah (Genesis 6 & 7) moving on in faith, waiting for God’s promise. We read of doors to service being closed to Paul (Acts 16:6-10). We feel that the doors to Brazil are being closed to us for the present. This is something that we don’t understand, but we do trust the One who is in control.
When God calls, we want to be prepared. We need to have some “roots” while we are here, but they need to be loose. We, God willing, will not accumulate any debt, or un-needed material items. We will rent, not buy, a house.
We also plan to be busy in the ministry. We believe we are commanded to do this, and that it will help to better prepare us for Brazil.
We had a few difficult months dealing with the idea that we may not go to Brazil next month, or even next year. However, we now are really excited at the opportunities to serve as we wait on God. We’d like to share a few of these with you. Please pray for us as we press on.
Truth Project
We are excited to begin working with Truth Project. This organization was started by our friend Junior (Juniclei) Miranda. Junior is a Brazilian from Santarem, where Amanda Smith is serving, and near Obidos, where we hope to serve.
Junior is now married to an American and living in Indiana. He is a soccer coach at Covenant Christian High School. His ministry uses sports evangelism and music to reach the lost. Junior began this ministry by taking short term trips to Brazil. Truth Project now is reaching out to the Hispanic population in Indiana. They have invitations to minister in other states, Mexico, and Guatemala. We hope to help with different sports clinics, VBS with a sports theme, and doing maintenance and repairs on churches among other things. Our background with Spanish and Portuguese will be helpful!!
Maggie will be trying to get a tourist visa to go to Brazil with Truth Project in June. Pray that this goes through for her. We are not all trying, because we believe this would raise red flags, since our volunteer visas are still being processed.
Faith Family Ministries
We are still active with our church. Different members of our family are involved with AWANA, youth, the nursery, Kids 4 Him, etc. We are hosting a group for the upcoming Mii.experience. Maggie, Jody and Jacob will be going on a short term trip to Mexico in July with a group from church. They will be doing construction.
Other Plans
We also hope to contact a Hispanic church in Frankfort to see how we might work with them. Jody’s speaking Spanish, and making contacts while interpreting for the hospital might be helpful.
We’d like to try to do an outreach in a park, similar to what we’d do in Brazil. We were thinking of an evening of games, puppets, snacks, crafts, and a presentation of the gospel geared towards children. We could then send information home about the second evening which would be for the entire family and would include food and a presentation of the “Jesus” film. We have plenty of supplies in trunks waiting to be used!
If you have any questions, or any ideas for us, please let us know. We want to be open to what God has in store.
CONTACT INFO
Phone: 765-659-1430, 765-242-2684
Mailing address: PO Box 506
Frankfort, IN 46041
online at: www.casa1631.blogspot.com
www.lovemministries.org
email: fields.jody@gmail.com
Monday, December 17, 2007
Merry Christmas!

“Are You Still Here?”
You’ve seen that heading before, haven’t you? We applied for our visas 7 months ago. We still have no word on them.
We’d like to share a little of what we have been doing since the last newsletter. Don has been helping out with the youth at Faith Family Ministries on Wednesdays. He had a lock-in for some of the boys. Ask him if he stayed awake the whole time! He also had the privilege of baptizing another friend’s daughter. He’s about to start a new job at Brock.
Jody helps in AWANA occasionally, and continues homeschooling the boys. She still translates at the hospital, and has had some opportunities to witness in the neighborhood.
Maggie continues her schooling online through Taylor University. She helps with Kidmo on Sunday mornings, and has a part time job.
Emily is working at NHK, and has decided she will not be going with us on the mission field. She wants to see what God has in store for her here, and to continue her education. She works in the church nursery on Sunday mornings.
Jacob participates in youth and especially enjoys small group and helping out Pastor Stephen when he can. He is learning guitar.
Curt is also in youth and small group. He is playing basketball at the YMCA and is learning to play drums.
Treyton is growing in leaps and bounds! He loves his AWANA at church, and is taking tumbling at the Y. All 3 boys love sledding!
PRAISES
• Praise God for encouragement through His word.
• He’s provided a great house for us to stay in!
• He provided Don with a job with more hours. (more hours=more income)
• He put it on someone’s heart to send a check for the ministry in the amount of $1,500! Anonymously!
• He gives the kids strength and helps them make decisions.
PRAYERS
• Please pray for guidance.
• Pray for opportunities to minister while we wait.
• Pray for strength.
• Pray for God’s continued provision.
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!
God has been stretching our faith and refining us. It seems as if we have been waiting for ever to get to Brazil! We are honestly seeking God’s guidance daily. Did we mistake the call to missions for the call to Brazil? Is the door to Brazil closed, and if so, which door will He open? Should we wait longer? If we wait, will he continue to miraculously provide for us? Should we look into other areas in which we can minister? There’s a fine line between stepping out in faith, and getting ahead of God, between waiting on the Lord, and getting stuck in a rut. Making these kinds of life changing decisions is very uncomfortable! Having faith requires admitting that we are not in control. We don’t know what our future holds. But do any of us?
Because we don’t know what the future will bring, we must remember that 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “…now is the day of salvation.” This is important for believers and non-believers. Romans 10:13-15 says, “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”
Now is the day of salvation if you don’t know Jesus. Now is the day of salvation if you’re called to share the gospel. Now is the day of salvation if God is calling you to help send someone out to share the gospel.
We may not have tomorrow. Now is the day of salvation. After all, that is why Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a sinless life, and took our sins upon Himself, dying on the cross in our place. He rose again, so that now could be the day of salvation to all who believe.
Please pray for God to show us all our role in His great plan!Revelations 7:9-10 says, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Please pray for God to show us all our role in His great plan!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Temporary
We've been feeling like this waiting is unbearable. Look what was in my email today, the daily devotion I get from FFM.
Today’s Turning Point
Evidence of Hope
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
If you have ever had to practice football twice a day in 100 degree heat, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, "Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time." The difference between "temporary" and "permanent" can seem like the difference between life and death.
The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was "but not": Hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God.
Have you learned to separate the temporary from the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well.
The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Adoniram Judson
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Today’s Turning Point
Evidence of Hope
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
If you have ever had to practice football twice a day in 100 degree heat, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, "Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time." The difference between "temporary" and "permanent" can seem like the difference between life and death.
The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was "but not": Hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God.
Have you learned to separate the temporary from the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well.
The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Adoniram Judson
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
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