9 weeks to go

Today I'm 31 weeks into my pregnancy....its hard to believe Jude Michael Land will be joining us in just 9 short weeks. We are frantically trying to get "life together" before his expected arrival around January 25th. I'm still not sure exactly what that means but we sure are busy with meetings, planning, doctor visits, putting together a launch party for PhotogenX Seattle, and the day to day stuff of running a family.  

What a story I'll be able to tell this little guy about all the places I took him, the miracle we saw take place in preserving his life back in Kona, and the faithfulness of our God to provide for his family all along the way. It kinda makes my hormonal self want to weep just thinking about it all. Maybe because I know that the past 31 weeks were also some of the toughest of my entire life. Instead of dwelling on all that though as its over and done with and I think somehow I am better for having gone through it I thought I would share what I'm thankful for...

• I'm thankful that even though we have zero financial support that God is miraculously providing for our basic needs
• I am thankful for being able to make my own food, in my own wonderfully free apartment
  
• I am thankful that I only have 9 weeks more of Jude kicking me constantly and making my back hurt
• I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends who I missed so much while we were gone
  
• I am thankful that I'm finally not having a bad hair day everyday thanks to my hair straightener having the proper electrical input and not being in 84% humidity...kinda helps to have good hair days when you are feeling hugely pregnant
• I am thankful for Caleb and his adorable little talking self and the fact that he is in love with baby already...here is hoping he feels the same once Jude arrives
• I am thankful for the opportunity to work in Seattle as PhotogenX staff with my husband - the work I love, the place I love and the man I love all for the God I love and His voiceless children
  
• I am thankful to Gary for being willing to walk through the challenges of working together, living together and learning how to love each other more perfectly

These I am thankful for!!  I'd love to hear what your thankful for....

Beyond Just the Two of Us, What's Next?

To all those we are privileged to call friends,

It’s hard to believe we have been back in the Seattle area for three weeks now. What a blessing to be back among family and friends. Our first week was spent staying in our pre-DTS home, the Chisum Inn, Jenn’s parent’s house. We spent that first week visiting with family, going to numerous Dr.s appointments, getting winter clothes out of storage, Gary working a couple of odd jobs, visiting our new home and trying to get Caleb adjusted to the new time zone. It’s hard to tell a 2 year old that they just need to go back to sleep when they wake up at 1:30am thinking its morning. Needless to say we really did hit the ground running or at least trying to run.

On Halloween we moved into our new place, an amazing 2 bedroom mother-in-law apartment that is fully furnished. This housing is made available to missionaries who are in transition, visiting the area, or on furlough from the field by our generous hosts Gary & Pam Sanders. We are able to stay here until the end of February which is after our baby BOY arrives, whom we plan to name Jude Michael Land. We expect to welcome him into our family sometime around January 25th.

Jenn speaking at Northshore Baptist Church about our Mission trip

The day we moved in we were also busy getting prepared to share at Northshore Baptist Church about our time abroad. We were both up late pulling together the details of our presentation and Gary somehow managed to make a great slideshow in the wee hours of the morning. Our time of sharing with the missions’ class was encouraging and one of celebration. Just talking about all that God has done for us was wonderful. We also had some great conversations with a number of people that are interested in our next step.

So that brings us to what does God have in store for the Land Family? We are thrilled to share with you all that we plan to stay in the Seattle area and continue working with PhotogenX. Our goal is to launch a branch of the ministry here in the Pacific Northwest, which we plan to call Voice for the Voiceless Seattle. I’m sure many of you are now thinking oh wow…that sounds great but what does that mean? Allow us to elaborate.

Jenn & Gary in Muizenburg on our last day in South Africa

We both see that PhotogenX is very effective at raising awareness around various issues of injustice. We believe that God is calling us as a couple to continue this aspect of the ministry by supporting existing non-profit organizations (NGO’s) through media development and communication and then calling the church to take action in helping bring an end to injustice globally. That’s a bit of a mouthful but encompasses the general idea of what we hope to do.

Our first plan of action is to begin building relationships with both churches and organizations in an effort to bridge the gap between the two. We see the church at large as a mighty army for bringing about lasting change and we hope to connect them to NGO’s that are already laboring on behalf of those who suffer in silence. Not only do we plan to work with Seattle based churches and organizations but the entire West Coast of North America.

Caleb is sad to say goodbye to South Africa, or maybe the sun is in his eyes

There are so many organizations that are well established and doing amazing work on location in other countries and even within the US towards ending injustice. We want to be able to support them in any way that we can. Even if that means traveling to remote locations to photograph the work they do and the people they serve. It could also look like assisting them with their media materials including brochures, website, etc. There is a lot of potential to serve them free of charge which would then enable them to put more of their budget towards the work they do.

Jenn & Caleb walking back to the store to get a few snacks
for our 30 hours of travel back to the U.S.

As Photogenxers we will also be continuing to raise awareness about issues of infjustice wherever we go. Gary would love to be able to set up booths at our local farmers markets with his photography and use it as a platform to talk about voicelessness and God’s heart for those who suffer in silence. Jenn plans to continue doing live painting in various venues using it as an opportunity to share about the work we are beginning. We are both very passionate about using the media that PhotogenX has already put out, including the 30 days of Prayer booklet to call the church to prayer and action. As you know we were able to launch the Spanish edition of the prayer book, while we were in Central America and we would love to begin getting it into the hands of Spanish speaking believers in North America.

Caleb upset that he had to pose for this picture. He wanted down so he could play.
We were at the water front in Cape Town

Obviously this is a huge vision beyond just the two of us and there is much work to be done. We are currently in the foundation building stage of getting the ministry going which includes revamping our communication network, building a website, creating and printing business cards and brochures, establishing relationships with churches and NGO’s, building our prayer and financial support network and recruiting workers to help us.

Jenn, Caleb, & Gary posing for our last picture in South Africa
We have to give credit to our friend Cale for taking a great shot

We are thrilled about the vision God has laid before us and we would like to ask that you prayerfully consider if He is asking you to partner with us in any way. If so we want to connect with you and hear what that might look for you. We are so excited to be jumping into ministry as a family even if it is terrifying at times. We know this is why God had us go through DTS together with a 2 year old and now we are on the other side beginning a new ministry.

In faith and hope of all that is to come,

Gary, Jennifer, Caleb & soon to be Jude Land



Prayer Requests
• To establish a strong foundation over the next six months of the Voice for the Voiceless Seattle ministry
• For the delivery of our baby boy – due January 25, 2010
• The formation of a faithful group of prayer and financial partners that are committed to the long term vision

Current Needs
• $4000 of monthly support to cover both ministry and personal income.
• Adobe Suite Software program
• New Camera equipment including lenses, tripod, Nikon D700 body, reflector