Jillian Maas
36 Comments so far
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36 Comments so far
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Jillian, just one week until you are there and working and changing lives. We are so glad that you and BJ are heading out again to be the hands and feet of Christ. God bless you and we will be staying in touch every step of the way and praying all week for all that you are doing. Love you, Mom and Dad
Comment by Carole Pettijohn June 12, 2008 @ 5:04 pmJillian,
I will be praying for you and BJ as you venture out on this mission trip. May God protect you and your group as you help to touch many lives. Hoping too that all of those beautiful blankets make it there for those who desperately need them! Have a wonferful trip and I will be anxious to hear all about it along with seeing your pictures.
Sara Andrews
Comment by Sara Andrews June 16, 2008 @ 8:04 pmHi Everyone! I can’t believe we leave in less than 24 hours! I just want to thank all of you for the prayers and support as we go on this adventure. BJ and I are so excited to share this journey together again. We will try to keep you up to date as much as possible while we are away. Meadow Ridge- we are so excited to pass out the blankets! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They are beautiful and will be a wonderful gift for many families. Family- We love you SO much! Thank you for the prayers! We can’t wait for the wedding when we get back!
Thank you all for the prayers and support! We love you!
Comment by Jillian Maas June 16, 2008 @ 8:45 pmJillian
Jilly: i will miss snuggling with you on the couches down there! have so much fun and i hope you can find someone else to braid your hair!;) haha i love you and i hope you have such a blast!!
Comment by sandy June 17, 2008 @ 6:20 amlove
sandy
Hi Jill!
Comment by Leah June 17, 2008 @ 7:28 amI cant believe you guys are leaving tomorrow! I am so excited to follow your journey via internet! Its amazing that in a remote village in Guat you will be able to update us!(hopefully) Know that will be praying for you daily throughout the day. Its so cool that you are going again. Give my love to all the kiddos and paint their toes pretty like Bella’s =) Im excited to hear how they Like the blankets – theyre so cute! Have fun!! Love ya, Leah
Hi Jillian, I thought maybe I could echo the thanks to all of Meadowridge for the blankets….I have just never experienced such a cool outpouring of love from kids to kids they don’t even know….the notes were so touching…and you could tell that they were knotted with love. It was wonderful to see them all on display at church and know a bit about the hands that made them all. Thanks to all the families and the kids in the school for helping to make this trip special by sending a piece of love to so many kids. You will all be touching lives through your love… Jillian’s mom, Carole Pettijohn
Comment by Carole Pettijohn June 18, 2008 @ 12:01 amI’m so excited for you guys! Hopefully you’ll be there and all settled in when you get this… Just wanted to let you know that we’re keeping you and all your ministry in our prayers. We’re looking forward to hearing from you! Hope you don’t have to use that new rain outfit too often (=
Comment by Erin Bernethy June 18, 2008 @ 3:16 amLove ya- Erin
Good morning…..well the sad news is that the boy Fredis, from Honduras, kicked the Pilot who was escorting in the face, and would not get on the plane….so boo hoo, his two chances are up and he will not be able to come to the US for surgery. Dixon will be sad that he has to travel alone, but the airline was very firm about his behavior and so now Helen will need to see if he can get help down there or just have to live with his urology troubles….too bad. The good news is that Dixon is on the plane and out of Honduras and headed home ! Yippeeeeeee….will be so good to see him. Love to you, are you awake yet? Hope you got a little sleep last night, thinking of you all, love, MOM
Comment by Carole Pettijohn June 18, 2008 @ 9:32 amGreetings ! Well things did not go as planned for Dixon and he hit a storm in Miami, missed flight in Chicago and did not arrive as expected at 7:30 p.m. last night. It was very disappointing for Leah , Blake, Bella and I since he did not call to tell us he was not on the plane. So, he finally arrived at 11:30 p.m. last night. The beans and rice two times a day were awesome! So, I am definately changing up the menus here. Due to the closed airport in Honduras it was a 8 hour bus trip to and from the airport for he and his mom….that was miserable and I feel really bad because they lost two days of the trip just sitting on the bus. He said no one was complaining, but they have no other choice. We are very anxious to hear from all of you and pray that the building is going well. Thinking of you often and checking this website constantly ! By the way, tell BJ that someone did get their hands on the International phone that we bought him and took it, thus, the phone calls that we were all getting were from someone who just decided to have fun with that new phone. Dad had it cancelled as of last night. Wish we had sent it with all of you instead, then we could have some news. Write when you can, love you lots, MOM
Comment by Carole Pettijohn June 19, 2008 @ 7:38 amHey Jilly,
Comment by DAD June 20, 2008 @ 3:51 pmHave been thinking and praying for you guys…Can’t believe that today is Friday already and you have been gone almost 4 days..Shadow says hey—-went to Chicago on Wed and Thurs with Aaron on business–had a good time but certainly not as good a time as you guys are having. It is so neat to see all of you serving in this special way…Love you guys lots, DAD
Hi Jillian,
Comment by Mary Molegraaf June 20, 2008 @ 8:08 pmIt’s so great that you and BJ are in Guatemala again, serving and blessing the ppeople there. I pray that you will be blessed just as much. Stay healthy, and have a good time at the clinics.
mary Molegraaf
Jillian:
Know that we are praying for you while you are serving God by serving others in Guatemala. It’s kind of hard not being able to read the stories and see the pictures of all that you are doing, but we are confident that God is working in MIGHTY ways to accomplish all that He has planned. Last year I remember a photo of you applying fingernail polish on a little girl, and you had such a huge smile on your face! Hope that you are feeling well and able to experience JOY in all that GOD is calling you to do this year!
God bless you!
The Dooleys
Hebrews 13:1-2
Comment by Lynette Dooley June 21, 2008 @ 9:50 amKeep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hi Jillian,
Comment by Leah June 21, 2008 @ 9:54 amHope you are doing well. I was glad to read that Kevin called with an update as we have been so anxious to hear from someone!! It sounds like things are going good, but I cant wait to hear details from you! We continue to pray for you daily and look so forward to seeing you when you get back!
Love you!
Leah
Yea!!! It was great to read the team postings!!! Aaron, Blake and I just read them together. Sounds like an amazing time . . .
Comment by Leah June 21, 2008 @ 1:26 pmlove and prayers,
LP,AP B and B
HEY—wow..the pictures are AWESOME…it looks like everyone is involved and loving it…we are praying for those who got an infection..hopefully they caught it in time…take care..love you and BJ lots…Dad and Mom—mom will also write!!
Comment by DAD June 21, 2008 @ 2:00 pmHey, I am sitting here in the sun just thinking about how much fun you must be having and thinking that I am so glad you are there….so hoping that the infections are gone soon…It is so exciting to hear about all houses and all the fun that you are having. We are eager to hear more, keep in touch, we love you and are praying for you. thanks for the updates…so , by the way, everyone is wondering, who is on the antibiotics ….let us know. love, mom and dad and everyone who is is listening to me write this to you.
Comment by DAD June 21, 2008 @ 4:19 pmJillian my small group partner, How are things going? Im praying for you this week as you serve GOD in Guat. Thanks for giving of yourself this week. I hope your using a level on your house. Take care and continue to serve HIM in all you do. SENOR AL
Comment by Alan Jurgens June 21, 2008 @ 7:20 pmgood morning, I got up early so I could be the first to jump on the site and hear more from all of you, however, the site was not updated. So, I am sad, but know that you must have had a late night last night and not been able to writte. We are so eager for news, and cannot wait until you arrive on Tuesday night to hear all the stories. It must be great. Just having a few photos to look at help us out a lot. We love seeing the joy in your faces and those of the people too. I am heading to the kitchen to make coffee, hope you and BJ will soon be enjoying a cup of the good Guatemalan stuff under a shade tree in the sun. Happy Sunday, we love you and miss you. The family…
Comment by mom June 22, 2008 @ 5:30 amGood morning!
Comment by Leah June 22, 2008 @ 9:04 amWe hope you have a wonderful day today at the clinic! Im so glad pictures were posted, it was fun looking at them! We hope you have an awesome last couple days. Our prayers are with you!
Love ya
Leah and Bella
(Aaropn is at church and Blake us still sleepng) =)
Hi Jillian and Bj i just got back from Honduras a few days ago and that was really fun seeing my family again after it has been for so long. I hope that you guys are having a lot of fun in guatemala and you gusy are all safe and ok.
Comment by Dixon June 22, 2008 @ 9:26 amHey—waiting for Blake to wake up…..Thinking of you guys all the time…can’t wait to hear all the stories….love ya both, Dad
Comment by Dad June 22, 2008 @ 9:31 amGoodmorning Everyone!
I am sorry that I haven’t been able to post anything. It turned out that we don’t have access to any internet so the youth leader is posting this for me.
I would like to start out by saying that all of your prayers have been very uplifting! Words cannot describe the way God has moved people both in our group and those that we have come encountered with.
Our stay at La Benedicion, a small old plantation along the coast was absolutely amazing. We were able to see God from the moment we woke up. The beauty of the plantation is beyond words. There were butterflies all around us, trees that were amazingly large and views that are indescribable. Each day at the village, we woke up to work on building a small home for the family that we were given. The group worked very hard and the heat the first day was almost unbearable but we managed to get through it. The family that we built our home for had a 12 year old girl, a 23 year old girl a mother, a grandmother and grandfather. For most of the week they were very shy and did not come down from where they were staying but on the day of dedication they did and what an amazing moment that was. When we gave the house to them and asked them to give it to Jesus by asking him into their lives and their home, they were very open to this. They were all crying saying how thankful they were and that they knew God placed us in their lives for a reason. That day we were able to lead all of them to victory! Seeing their faces light up and the way that they cried out moved us all.
While we were at La Bendicion, I fell in love with a little boy named Robyn. He was a three year old who was part of the family that BJ was building for. He became my little friend and even knew my name after the first day. His mom explained to me how grateful he was for the things I was giving him (I gave him candy every time I saw him). He touched me in so many ways. He seemed so content with his life living in a small house with lots of family members and having nothing. This really put things into perspective for me to remember that sometimes we need to think like a child. When they receive the smallest gifts, it may mean the world to them. We need to remember to thank God for every small thing he puts into our life, every person he puts into our life, and every moment of each day to live it out glorifying him in all we do. I know God put him in my life to teach me that lesson and I hope someday I will see him in Heaven to thank him for that.
Yesterday was another amazing day. We went to a plantation way up into the mountains to have our medical clinic and play the Jesus film. The road out there was very bumpy and at times we thought we might not make it but God had a plan and was able to get us to the village. Once there, the people were very shy. They did not want to play with us even with all of the toys we had. After a short while, they opened up and loved us! We jump roped with them, threw balls, played ring around the rosy and took lots of pictures of them (they loved to have their picture taken and for us to show it to them). Some of us even went to the compo to play soccer with the kids. BJ absolutely loved this and the kids loved him! It was so cute to see him with all of the kids running to him.
When we finished playing soccer and it became dark, we hung around the medical clinic and talked with the people. At one point I had tons of boys around me asking me to teach them words in English. It was so cool to get the older kids involved in this and it lasted for about a hour of them asking me words.
The Jesus film was amazing and many people were touched and moved. We were able to reach out to many lives and many accepted Christ into their hearts.
Thank you all for your prayers! We are definitely feeling them and loving every moment. Today we are headed to a village and will be handing out all the blankets! I can’t wait! BJ says hi as well! We love you!
Comment by teamivanrest June 22, 2008 @ 11:08 amJillian, It is great to hear how wonderful your trip is going. Kyle and I have been thinking of you and BJ and it is great to check to see how it is going for you. We will continue to keep you and BJ in our thoughts and prayers. Can’t wait to hear about it from you both. Tauna and Kyle
Comment by Tauna June 22, 2008 @ 1:27 pmHi jillian!
Comment by Dad June 22, 2008 @ 3:19 pmWe were so excited to read this from you!!! It sounds so awesome!!! We can just picture you guys with those kids – how fun!! We cant wait to hear about how they like the blankets and hopefully see pics of that! Were glad to hear that everything is going so well. We think of you often, check this website all the time, and pray throughout the day. We cant wait to see you in a couple days, maybe we can all do dinner??
love you so we can all hear about it!
Dad, mom, Aaron, Leah, Dixon, and Blake (Bella is sleeping)
Hey Jill -
Comment by Stuart June 22, 2008 @ 5:07 pmGlad you’re having a great time so far. Erin and I have been praying for you guys. We were excited to see that you got to post today – sounds awesome. Cant wait to see you next weekend. Love, Stu and Erin
so fun to hear from you and everyone about all that has been happening. What a mighty God we have, and it has been such fun to share your experience. Thanks for the update today, we are eager to hear everything in person. Love you tons and miss you too…Bella is helping me write to you today, she says hi. Tell bj hi too, love to all, mom and dad and the fam…
Comment by mom June 22, 2008 @ 7:11 pmJillian:
How cool that you have learned one of your most memorable lessons during this second trip to Guatemala from Robyn. God just has a way of surprising us: using a little child to teach something so profound. I’m glad that your heart was open to receive it!
Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
God bless you,
The Dooleys
Psalm 8:2a
Comment by Lynette Dooley June 22, 2008 @ 7:34 pmFrom the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise….
Jillian,
Comment by Kristy Van Wyhe June 22, 2008 @ 7:52 pmThank you for writing such a beautiful update! You have such a way with words that I can absolutely picture everything you wrote! It was great seeing the pictures. Each village is so different so to see the pictures is amazing. I am praying for you right now as you are getting ready to show the Jesus film. I pray that the Holy Spirit moves in a powerful way.
Love,Kristy
Hi Jillian We all were so happy with the report that you sent this morning. Its so nice to know whats going on each day and the pictures were awesome!!! We have been praying for the teams all week and are so anxious to see everyone on Tuesday. One more day and you will be on your way home. You have a big week coming up with Stuart and Erin. Lots to look forward to. Hope you took good care of Spency Martin for me. Have safe travels home. Love in Christ
Comment by Sue V.H. June 22, 2008 @ 9:54 pmBy the way Jillian. Do you have a large bandaid on your knee or is it paint. I’m thinking that you might have the infection that Kevin was talking about. Hope not
Comment by Sue V.H. June 22, 2008 @ 10:08 pmHi, I keep hoping that you are all well and doing ok. I especially pray that you can end the week on a high note tonight at devotions time. We check this site hourly even tho we are really not expecting any news, amazing how hooked on technology we are . Good to hear all that we have heard and we pray for a continued great trip and now we know the experiences will all need to be shared in person. That’s great, till then, love from the family. mom
Comment by Carole Pettijohn June 23, 2008 @ 9:17 amHi everyone! We are in Antigua today and are able to get on the internet at McDonalds. The trip has been absolutely amazing! Yesterday handing out the blankets to all of the families in the village was awesome! Dan had all of the single moms and widows come up first to get the blankets so that they would for sure get them. They were all so excited about that! Many of them hugged me and thanked us over and over! I took a ton of pictures with kids holding them and excited about it!
Last night was another amazing experience of many people accepting Christ into their hearts. Many of them were even young boys around the ages of 10 to 14. It was so nice to see them make this step in their life. Our group gave a lot of testamonies as well! I can tell a lot of people in our group are growing in their faith too!
Thank you for all of your prayers throughout the week! They have been needed and definitely shown to us. We’ve experienced a few difficulties with our travels and will explain it all later… Your prayers are amazing!
I am so glad to hear that Dixon was able to get home! That was the one thing I kept thinking about and wanting to see the website for. Luckily Kevin copied all of the posts onto his computer yesterday so we were all able to read them and get lifted up.
Stu and Erin! We are so excited for the wedding! LESS THAN A WEEK! Neither of us are sick yet so that is a good sign:) I did have a bad bug bite but am taking meds for it and it was clearing up… LOVE YOU ALL! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
Comment by Jillian June 23, 2008 @ 1:41 pmJillian,
Comment by Jodi Berens June 23, 2008 @ 1:52 pmThe pictures of your trip have been amazing and even though we have been limited as to what has been going on, the pictures say a thousand words!! I really have to appreciate your sharing of your husband with Kelly. Hopefully he didn’t have to carry her around too much. It is such a blessing for us knowing there are people like you around! Hope you have a safe trip and that neither one of you get sick on the way back. We are so anxious to have you all back home safe and sound. Thank you again for all you’ve done!
Love, the Berens
Aw, I love the pictures of you passing out the blankets and im so glad to hear from you again! I will pray for you tonight and as you travel home tomorrow – cant wait to see you!!
Comment by Leah June 23, 2008 @ 5:40 pmlove ya,
leah
Hi Jillian,
Just wanted you to know what a blessing I got reading your post. To see God move in such a wonderful way through a little boy. Sometimes God uses the smallest of children to teach us a lesson. You through the experience and us through your sharing. I don’t get much from Nate so it is so nice to read from others. Thanks for those darling blankets. What a wonderful gift you and your class brought to those women and children. I am sure you make your parents proud. There is no greater joy than to see your “kids” love and serve the Lord. Thanks for going to Guatemala again and bringing the love of Jesus to them.
Kathy Door
Comment by Kathy June 24, 2008 @ 7:04 amI just want to thank everyone for the support on our trip! We had an amazing time and can’t wait to share the stories and pictures with all of you. We feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends.
Comment by Jillian June 25, 2008 @ 6:42 pm