Our third addition to the family has really had us hopping as we're trying to figure out what our new rhythm looks and sounds like. Between that and our work with G.O. its like we've blinked and 3 months went by! That being said, here's a brief update on what we've been up to.
Ella’s first two and a half months with us were a little daunting as the poor little girl was suffering from reflux. This meant that every waking hour we experienced of her was crying. With some prayer and some good reflux meds we are happy to report that at 14 weeks our little lady is mostly free of that discomfort and has settled comfortably into her sweet self. She is a pure joy!
In late April Jeff represented G.O. Ministries at the Exponential Church Planting Conference in Orlando, Florida. He encouraged new church planters to include international ministry in the DNA of their church plants. Partnering with indigenous Christian leaders and serving along-side of them via short-term mission’s trips grows the Kingdom abroad and deepens the Kingdom at home. If teams are lead well through their experience they can come back home more committed Christ followers, more willing to serve radically in other areas inside and outside of their own communities, as well as become more radically generous with all of their resources for the sake of Kingdom work locally and globally.
While in Orlando Jeff was able to report on G.O.’s Haiti relief effort to First Presbyterian of Haines City, FL, a new partnering church with the Rogers family. Much thanks to Pastor Tom and whole crew there for such awesome hospitality.
The G.O. Derby fundraiser at the first of May brought in $49,500 for G.O. Ministries which was a tremendous blessing!
Immediately after the Derby event we coordinated and lead a 4 day All Staff Meeting state-side, training and encouraging the G.O. Staff in ministry and fundraising. It was a sweet time to reconnect, fellowship, worship and celebrate how God used each of us in the Haiti Relief effort.
June 13th we reported on Haiti Relief to supporting church, Southside Christian in Versailles, Ky and met some new friends there. Afterwards we met with the mission’s committee of Christ Church United Methodist in Lexington. They have decided to partner with our ministry! It’s been a great year of God introducing us to new friends in ministry.
June 28th Jeff met with the mission’s committee of First Capital Christian Church in Corydon, IN to discuss G.O. and what a more intentional partnership might look like with a church in one of the sugar cane cutting villages we work with. We’re hopeful about the future of this Partnership.
Currently, we are getting geared up to represent G.O. at the North American Christian Convention. Please pray for good connections to be made for the sake of the ministry and our own support as well.
July 12th we leave for our family trip to serve in the Dominican Republic. Please pray for safe travels and service. This will be Ella’s first trip to the DR. We return August 13th.
Grace & Peace,
The Rogers
