Decorating

 “A man who has a layover at an airport does not go into the bathroom, frown at its decor, and start redecorating! Why? Because he doesn’t live there. He has a home in another place. While he is away he will get by with only what he absolutely needs, to have more money with which to furnish his permanent home.”

—Michael P. Green

I don’t know about you, but my soul longs for Heaven. Where there won’t be anymore pain or suffering. To combat this sometimes I try to make this side of Heaven more comfortable. I’m decorating airport bathrooms. 🥴 This world is not my home. One day I will receive my inheritance. “...An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” - 1 Peter 1:4-5

Jesus is Better

Jesus is better.

He’s better than being rich.

He’s better than your relationships. 

He’s better than your stuff. 

He’s better than living in comfort. 

He’s better than your political affiliation. 

He’s better than food. 

He’s better than your job.

There’s nothing in all of creation that’s better than Him. Chasing after worldly things that could be gone at any moment only leaves us thirsty for more. Only Jesus satisfies the hole in our soul. #preachingtomyself

Rejoice Always

 In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

In my selfishness I’d like to think that God can’t possibly mean ALL circumstances, right? Surely, whatever I’m struggling with is not something to rejoice over! 

It’s not that we should be grateful for evil, but that we KNOW God is going to bring some kind of good through every circumstance. God wastes nothing. 

Instead of focusing on the circumstance we’re struggling with, we should ask ourselves, “How can I glorify God through this situation?”

Kendall Explains It All

Family and friends always ask us how Kendall does on mission trips. We thought it might be more fun if we answer this from her perspective instead of ours. We asked friends and family to send us their questions. Here goes!

1. What is your favorite part about going on mission trips? 

Kendall: Well, my favorite part about mission trips is playing with the kids. 

2. What is your least favorite part about going on mission trips?

Kendall: In Africa I didn't like most of the food. I don't like nshima or cabbage. 

3. Why do you think it's important to go?

Kendall: Because Jesus calls us. 

4. What do you look forward to doing?

Kendall: Hmmmm... Well, when I was in the airplane I was looking forward to learning what the kids do around there.

5. Did you like Africa or Haiti better?

Kendall: Both. In Africa, I liked hanging out with my friends. In Haiti, I liked playing games with the kids. 

6. How do you feel about seeing children your age living in impoverished conditions?

Kendall: What does impoverished mean? Well, I feel sad for them. 

7. What do you think about how children in other countries interact with each other and their family members? 

Kendall: In Haiti, the kids would fight over fruit and throw rocks at each other because they were hungry. I haven't seen that happen here. 

8. Do you ever need alone time?

Kendall: Yes, I would go inside and take breaks.

9. Do you like trying new foods?

Kendall: Yes!

10. What country would you like to go to next?

Kendall: Oh, that is a hard question! Let's see... West Virginia.

11. What was your favorite food that you tried in another country?

Kendall: In Haiti I liked the chicken and red beans with rice. 

12. What was your least favorite food that you tried in another country? 

Kendall:  Maheu. 

13. Is there anything that people do/cultural practices in other countries that you wish were part of American culture too?

Kendall: Eat their food. 

14. Would you like to learn other languages?

Kendall: I want to!

15. Which languages?

Kendall: All of them!

16. What are the most funny things that you have experienced in other countries? 

Kendall: Laventa, (in Haiti) was the teacher and you had to do what she said or she spanked you with a stick. However, I had no idea what she was saying. She tried to spank me a lot. I had to tell her pa touché! (Don't touch!)

17. What would you tell someone who is afraid to leave the U.S.?

Kendall: Well, I would say that I was scared to go to Africa and Haiti. I got over it by going to those places and learning that they weren't scary. 

18. What would you tell someone who is worried that they might get sick or hurt on a mission trip?

Kendall: I would tell them to pray about it. If they get sick they should pray to God that they feel better. Sometimes, there are doctors and medicine in other counties that would make them feel better. They could bring medicine with them if the airporters let them. 

19. Can you talk to the children without any problem?

Kendall: Yes, sometimes they understand me. 

20. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Kendall: I don't like how they treat dogs in other countries, but they aren't pets like they are in America.

We're home from Ayiti...

That's what the Haitians call Haiti- Ayiti. I like it better the way they pronounce it!

WOW!! What a trip! We really enjoyed serving the Lord in Haiti! While there our team had the honor of working on a local area in the mountains of Tityanen. We painted a school building and office, worked on equipment in the facilities, built soccer goals, visited an orphanage and repaired bunk beds there, visited a voodoo village and prayed for the voodoo priest, shared the Jesus film in his village, loved on the kids, and built relationships. Joe also got to preach! He preached the main service on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Written there it looks neat, but it shows no depth to what we actually did. 

God moved in a mighty way during this trip. Some came to know Christ and God was definitely lived out in our team's actions. During our time in Haiti, we were able to really develop relationships with the locals. Some of the team sponsors local kids so that they can go to school.

One of the things we want to encourage you with is a story from what we witnessed. One day while in Haiti, we were able to witness a garbage truck driving down the road with people chasing after the truck, jumping in it and scavenging for food and anything else they can use. This was hard to see but also a great reminder of making sure that we are being good stewards of what God has given us.



As God continues to lead our family to serve Him in the nations, we want to thank you for your prayers and financial support. We are serving Him wherever we are in order to make Him known. Salvation belongs to the Lord!!

If you would like to sit down and talk about the trip. Please contact us. We are putting together a DVD of the trip so you can witness some of what God was up to.

P.S. Jenn is headed to Guatamala in October with an organization that rescues babies from the mountains. Please be in prayer for her. She is still looking to meet her financial goal by the end of this month! If you want to get involved, please contact us!

P.P.S. She will be collecting these items to bring with her. If you would like to donate any of these, please contact us!

Ibuprofen / motrin / advil - tablets, capsules and chewables for children and drops for infants
Acetominophen / Tylenol - tablets, capsules and chewables for children and drops for infants
Antihistamines – Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin for adults and children
Artificial tears
Elimite or Rid (for lice)
Loperamide / immodium (diarrhea)
Calcium Carbonate tabs such as Tums
Miralax (for constipation - good for kids and adults)
Colace / stool softeners
Verucca freeze (to treat warts)
Compound W or Dr. Scholl's salicylic acid pads (to treat warts)
Bacitracin antibiotic ointment (individual packets)
Clotrimizole or other anti-fungal cream / ointment
Hydrocortisone cream
Multi vitamins for:
Adults,
Prenatal,
Children 4 year old + (No Gummy vitamins as they melt in the heat) without iron if possible
Children 2 -3 without iron if possible
Infants


In His Love,

The Hennis Family

Where the Mean Things Are

It was a regular Tuesday night at church teaching kids about missions. All the kids where running around like crazy playing, including our daughter Kendall. All of sudden she ran to me. She hugged me tight as tears spilled over her face. She was telling me something, but I couldn't understand the words coming out of her mouth. When it finally was comprehensible she told me her friend was mean to her, had pushed her, and said she didn't want to play with her.

Ugh. Drama. It's the worst.

I wanted to retaliate for my girl. I wanted to pick up a battle that wasn't mine to bear.

I had two options. I could follow my flesh and take the low road. Which only results in breeding more drama. Teaching Kendall to take the low road.

Or, I could take the high road. Which is hard, not well traveled, and not what I wanted to do. But Jesus would.

But Jesus. 

I don't want to teach Kendall to be like me. I want to teach her to be like Jesus.

Not long before Kendall's tears I had spoken to a child who had ripped a chair out from underneath his brother. My response was Philippians 2:3.

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Now it was my turn. 

So I told her to pop a squat. 

First, I gave her the bad news. This would not be the last time that someone was mean to her or would hurt her feelings. There would definitely be more pain and tears, because the world is full of sin and sinners. 

But Jesus has overcome the world. {John 16:33}

Then, I gave her the good news. Now that she knew what it was like to have her feelings hurt she could choose how to respond. She could choose to be a good friend despite how her friends treat her. I told her the Bible says that a friend loves at all times. At. all. times. {Proverbs 17:17} That doesn't mean she has to play with someone and continue to be treated that way. It does mean she tries to fix things with them. If that doesn't work bring someone with you, like Mommy or Daddy. {Matthew 18:15-17} Above all to remember that Jesus loves that person just as much as He loves you. So treat them that way.

And some days I have to remember that advice myself. Okay, some days it's more like hours and minutes.

Save the drama for your llama. Not your mama.

Love like Jesus.

                                                                                              

Put Your Love on the Map

I don't know why but I was shocked when Valentine's Day stuff was out on the shelves January 1st! I thought it was a little much, ya know? I'm not "hating" on the holiday. I just think commercialized love is a little shallow. Nothing says love like over sized animals, sweets, and spending too much money right? Real love can't be found on a shelf. You can't buy it.  It definitely shouldn't be celebrated once a year. 

                           

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Jesus gave us the greatest example of love. He went to the cross for you and I. For the whole world. Love is sacrificial. It gives every day. It dies to self. It's much more than just a feeling every now and then. It's an everyday decision. 

This year, what if we did something different? God's love compels us as an outpouring of what's already been done for us to love others. What if we put our love on the map? What if we put our love into action? Let's love one another. 

Maybe for you it's giving a little extra to a missionary. Maybe it's going on a mission trip. Maybe it's providing food, giving clean water, sponsorship, or giving bibles. Let's share love in a tangible way. Want to find out more? You can at World Help and put your love on the map! 

In His Love, 

Jennis

Shelfie: Counter Culture by David Platt

Book Description: Everywhere we turn, battle lines are being drawn—traditional marriage vs. gay marriage, pro-life vs. pro-choice, personal freedom vs. governmental protection. And as difficult conversations about homosexuality, abortion, and religious liberty continue to inject themselves into our workplaces, our churches, our schools, and our homes, Christians everywhere are asking the same question: HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO RESPOND TO ALL THIS?

In Counter Culture, New York Times bestselling author David Platt shows Christians how to actively take a stand on the most pressing social issues of our day. Drawing on compelling personal accounts from around the world, Platt presents an unapologetic yet winsome call for Christians to faithfully follow Christ into the cultural battlefield in ways that will prove both costly and rewarding. 

THE LINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN. The moment has come for Christians to rise up and deliver a gospel message that’s more radical than even the most controversial issues of our day.

Book Review: The lines have been drawn. In his new book, David Platt, sounds the alarm for Christians. Is the church even awake? Honestly, I both love and do not love this book. The part where I don't love it is strictly because it calls me out of my comfort zone. It requires me to stand boldly when I 'd rather just be quiet. Issues like marriage, abortion, and sexuality. The solution to the issues mentioned in the book is the gospel. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, "So let us not stay silent with this gospel. Let's not allow fear in our culture to muzzle our faith in Christ."

At the end of every chapter are three practical ways you can take action. First and most important is praying to Him, then participating with Him, and finally proclaiming His Word in the world around us. You can also visit the website to view more resources and buy the book. This is not a feel good, tickle your ears kind of book. It's a call to action. As Christians we've been charged to "walk in a manner worthy of God." Let's do that. 

Reader’s Note: I received this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Round We Go

Every time we got to a new village I asked God the same question. What should I share with these ladies?

Every time I got the same answer- share your testimony and 1 John 3:16.

By the second day, I was a little frustrated. We were doing eight bible studies that week.

“God, why do you want me to keep sharing my testimony and that verse? Can’t I share on something else?”

Silence.

So at every village when I was introduced I shared the shorthand of our testimony. It went something like this minus the pausing for the interpreter:

“I’m married to Big Joe. Our first year of marriage was very bad. Joe drank a lot and did a lot of drugs. I didn’t respect him because he did those things. Joe didn’t love me the way I thought I should be loved, because I didn’t respect him. It was a very bad cycle. After our daughter was born (at this point Kendall would usually smile really big and point at herself) Joe and I separated for a period of time. It was during that time that Joe tried to kill himself. When you try to hurt yourself in the states many times they send you to a hospital. They also send a very big truck called an ambulance to pick you up. The driver of the ambulance was on a very busy road and while driving asked Joe if he knew Jesus. You see we had gone to church many times, but we just listened and never applied it to our lives. It’s what you call pew potatoes. So, when the driver asked Joe if he had heard of Jesus- we had. We just never understood in our hearts. The driver asked Joe if he’d like to accept Christ right then, pulled off the side of the road, jumped into the back with Joe, and he accepted Christ right then! During the time we were apart I also accepted Christ. Nothing about our lives were the same after that. We didn’t walk the same, we didn’t talk the same, our lives were different. You see for the first time in our lives we understood what true love was. When you understand and receive God’s love it changes everything. God restored our marriage! Joe and I could love each other right for the first time as well as others. It’s that love that compelled us to fly for three days in a big airplane to be here with you. So that we could share with you how much God loves you and what He can do in your lives. I also would like to share a verse with you it’s 1 John 3:16, By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Not a bad thing to share, but I was tired of talking about myself.

It wasn’t about me though.

What I would later find out is that these women understood husbands that drank a lot, because many of them have one.

Alcoholism is a problem here. Drinking in Zambia is not the same as in the states. It doesn’t taste good. It’s straight up alcohol. So the only reason to drink here is to get drunk.

At one of the bible studies I got to pray for a young girl named Mercy who was married to such a husband. She had a baby on her hip and one in her belly. Mercy was ready to go back home to her parents’ village because she was not happy with her husband.

Very humbling.

On Friday of that same week a man went up to Joe at a leaders meeting and told him that my testimony was very encouraging to his wife.

God knew exactly what those women needed to hear. He already knew that they could relate. All I needed to do was be obedient to what He told me.

All I needed to do was share my love story with God- with others.

I encourage you to do the same when God prompts you.

In His Love,

Jennis

Shelfie: Changing the World Starts with Jesus

There I was on a hot day in June praying over my husband's mission trip to Africa while running errands. I kept thinking through everything I could think of to pray for Joe and his team. I stopped only to listen to God. It was then that He got a hold of my heart. 

He asked me to say Yes. 

I said No.

He asked me to say Yes, again.

What's it for?

Say Yes. 

No.

I need you to surrender to Me. 

It's really a shame I'm not stubborn right? I said Yes. It was then that I got the call for missions. I never saw my yes coming. A month later I stood as my phone rang at one o'clock in the morning. It was Joe. He was on the other line in Africa fumbling through words to try to explain that we would have to go the following year as a family. Little did he know I was already ready. Funny how God works, huh? 

It's been less than a year since I said yes to God for a dream I didn't even know I had in my heart until He put it there. I wish I could tell you I feel adequate for the upcoming mission trip to Africa for three months with my husband and five year old daughter.

Or that I'm prepared...

Or brave...

Or organized...

Or have cleaned my house...

Or that I have the corner market on faith...

I'm not. I don't. To be honest I'm a hot mess. None of it hinges on me though, its all about Him. All He asks is that I say YES! Everyday. Even in the mundane day to day stuff like dirty laundry (the clothing kind), milk spills, fruit loops in the dog bowl, different shoes on my feet, losing my phone or keys for the umpteenth time that day, etc. Or in the bigger spend a quarter of your year sharing the Gospel in Africa with people who have never heard the good news way. 

"God didn't wait for me to get my life together before I said yes--He accepted my willingness in the middle of my mess." - Kristen Welch

In her new book, Rhinestone Jesus, Kristen Welch invites you to say yes in your mess. As I read the book it felt like I was sitting across from Kristen at Chik-fil-a sipping sweet tea while she shared this amazing story of redemption. I've been following Kristen's blog We are THAT Family for about four years now. I thought this book would basically be about Mercy House Kenya. It was about so much more from marriage, ministry, motherhood, and everything in between! This book caused me to lose sleep, cry in public places, and dream again. Rhinestone Jesus propels and inspires you to do your yes, whatever that may be! 

This book is for those that have ever been hurt, or feel they've lost their identity, have ever been mean to your spouse, those who don't follow the culture of the world, struggle with making dinner, have one of THOSE families, are a mother- basically if you're breathing- you should read this book! It's a beautiful story of how Jesus is changing the world. Lucky for you, it comes out today! Go order it!

I'm in the middle of my mess, literally. Currently there are colorful bags, boxes, clothes, and supplies strewn across my living room floor. In five days my family will be in Africa. I'm excited and terrified. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else though. Thank you for prayers and support! 

"God wants us right in the middle of our mess because it's the perfect place for Him to shine through our imperfections." - from Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch

In His Love,

Jennis