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Author: Marie Williams, OJIF

  • Faithful God

    Faithful God

    But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

    2 Thessalonians 3:3

    Our time at Triple S Christian Ranch was marked by remembering that our God is faithful. We returned to the camp as we were closing the book on our trip to Peru, reveling and sharing what He is doing in that place. We returned to find a family of believers also rejoicing in the faithfulness of God.

    We delight with them in the fact that the camp has been growing which requires new and updated buildings. God has been abundantly and exceedingly providing to meet these needs. The boys’ cabin, just a thought last fall, stood finished and ready for Scott to stain.

    Areas were added to both ends of the tabernacle in the form of new decks. These decks will provide room for church groups to meet and counsel as needed.

    The trim and support for the girls’ cabin and shower house had also been finished and awaited stain.

    We witnessed once again the willingness of God’s people to drop everything to volunteer time and talents. (I won’t mention names…Dan… but you run that machinery like they are extensions of your own arms!)

    Meanwhile, the congregation of Freedom Baptist Church, currently meeting at Triple S, celebrated a huge answer to prayer as well. Enough funding from the One who owns it all poured in this spring. Work inside the church has begun; they now look forward to celebrating Christmas in their new church home! Praise the LORD for His faithfulness!

    Culvert

    So, what was accomplished? Scott and Dan worked to put in a couple of culverts, build up foundations, and dig a water line. Scott stained 2 cabins, a shower house, 2 decks, and a new podium backdrop, and as we labor, we pray to a faithful God. We pray for the future campers, staff, and congregations that will fill this campus. We pray for their salvation and growth in the knowledge of the Lord. We trust that as we work on the physical foundations, God will be exalted in the teaching of biblical foundations. We pray for a dying to self and a life blessed by being His with Christ in God. We remember that God is faithful!

    For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

    Colossians 3:3 (KJV)

    More OJIF

    Freedom Baptist Church joined us last summer for a fast-paced mission project for Sinclair Baptist Church in Sinclair, WY. Plane tickets have been purchased for another trip this summer. Please pray for this church, the mission trip, and the much-needed completion of this new church building.

  • Peru: Thank you!

    Peru: Thank you!

    We so appreciate everyone who stepped out in faithful obedience with us for this mission. Because of your generosity and prayers, the ESL classroom is up and running with 3 laptop computers, headphones, mice, general classroom supplies and furniture, a speaking and listening curriculum, an on-line learning platform, and a gently used xerox machine. Items were even donated to help provide groceries unavailable in Peru. Praise God!

    IXL Jam
    The class
    Instruction:
    Where is the pencil?

    Please continue to partner with us in prayerful support for this school, First Baptist Academy of Pachacamac (FBAP). This ESL program based in FBAP offers a wonderful outreach opportunity. We pray this school grows and that the Gospel and Biblical foundations will be shared with young families for God’s glory!

    Needs looking forward…

    • Monthly support for missionary teacher/helper
    • ESL Workbooks for each student-$40. each
    • An ESL teacher’s manual-$40.
    • Scholarships for students whose families can’t afford tuition costs

    We appreciate your prayerful support!

    Keep Looking Up!

    Maranatha!

    4.22.25

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  • Peru: School is in Session!

    Peru: School is in Session!

    “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

    John 2:5b (KJV)

    These words were spoken by the mother of Jesus just before His miraculous turning of the water into wine. Turn water into wine?! Impossible. Yet, the servants faithfully obeyed and found that with Jesus the impossible became possible. I believe this miracle illustrates our mission trip to Peru.

    Setting up IXL the online platform
    Teaching Prep!
    Thankful for school supplies!
    Computer lab complete with new xerox machine

    It all started when Scott announced one morning that he felt led to begin an ESL program in Peru. By the end of the day, plans were being made. Unbeknownst to us, Pastor and Mrs. Desent had been praying about starting a school. Scott’s call from half-way across the world, solidified God’s answer for them. School would begin in March 2025, just a few months later.

    Scott and I were tasked with finding a self-paced, Bible-based ESL program. We spent months looking for the “right” program with no success. How could we teach and manage a class in Peru while living in the US?! The task seemed impossible. In frustration, we cried to the Lord, and He “turned water into wine”. He provided two programs that are perfect for distance learning. Thanks be to God!

    All still seemed impossible until the plane tickets were bought. Within a week of this purchase, plans began to coalesce. Like the water turned into wine, our Lord provided what we needed, when we needed it. Perfect way, perfect provision, perfect timing. Perfect God!

    Continue

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  • Realife Ministries

    Realife Ministries

    We experienced some unexpected blessings during our first visit to this camp. The goal at Realife is to provide free Christ-centered camp experiences to those in foster care. We hope to hear more about this amazing work and how the gospel is shared through it!

    The weather during our stay at the camp was surprising as well. It was either too humid, too cold, or too rainy which delayed the staining Scott was assigned. He was blessed with some unexpected time to work on the other side of the ministry and to enjoy some much-needed rest.

    Perhaps the most unforeseen gift was discovered in the small congregation of Faith Baptist Church in Marianna. These believers greeted and treated us as family from the moment we entered the doors. Scott not only shared about OJIF but was able to preach for the pastor and give him a break for an evening service. They prayed for the ministry, fed us, and engaged in warm conversation while there. God is good…always!

  • The Homes of Ethnos 360

    The Homes of Ethnos 360

    We left The Homes of Ethnos 360, a campus of homes for retired tribal missionaries, after spending December and January madly mulching. Along with some of the best fishing yet, we were blessed again to interact with both familiar and new residents and were once again amazed at the spirit of gentleness, gratitude, love, and contentment that pervades in stories shared and lives now lived. Although aging can bring with it a loss of career, financial stability, or physical health and ability, these residents continue to manifest hope. We can hope that whatever time left on earth will be spent sharing the Good News of the Gospel for God’s glory. We can hope for miraculous healing and renewed purpose. Yet hope is also found when loved ones leave this sin ridden world for an eternity with our Lord. After all, He is our true hope, the One that will not fail. We leave The Homes renewed in spirit by the foundation of hope manifested. One former pastor and missionary shared that love is the foundation. Faith is the doorway, and hope is the expectation.

    1 Corinthians 13:13

    Dwight, a missionary to Indonesia (24 years) and the Philippines (13 years), now retired at The Homes

    To God be the glory!

    Keep looking up! Maranatha!

  • Merry Christmas from OJIF!

    Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another; and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.(Malachi 3:16)

    What a joyful truth to ponder as we finish another calendar year! Let’s think upon His name together and try to count our blessings. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s speak of some of the great things He has done!

    Let’s talk first of how He continues to grow OJIF beyond our imaginings! The projects have continued, praise the LORD! New work in NE, MO, and even Peru was added to the calendar this year, providing opportunities to meet some wonderful people and to expand our service to more than general carpentry. For example, the church/school Scott, Rusty, and Melba helped with in Peru last spring is finished, and plans proceed to set up the first classes. Scott felt led to help develop an ESL program for the school, so we get to help with that.  What a huge step and area of growth for us!

    Increased teaching and speaking opportunities deepened the scope of some of the group projects this year. The LORD opened doors several times for Scott to teach Adult Sunday School classes and Bible studies. What an unexpected blessing these opportunities have been!

    We encountered some unexpected challenges this year, but God met us there with His lovingkindness, mercy, and grace. He faithfully supplied all our need and then blessed with more. Let us speak together often of His character and blessings to us!

    “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,”

    (Psalm 115:1a)

    Merry Christmas and the Best of New Years!

    Keep looking up!

    Maranatha!

  • Opportunities to Serve and Pray

    Peru

    We so appreciate everyone who stepped out in faithful obedience with us for this mission. Because of your generosity and prayers, the ESL classroom is up and running with 3 laptop computers, headphones, mice, general classroom supplies and furniture, a speaking and listening curriculum, an on-line learning platform, and a gently used xerox machine. Items were even donated to help provide groceries unavailable in Peru. Praise God!

    Please continue to partner with us in prayerful support for this school, First Baptist Academy of Pachacamac (FBAP). This ESL program based in FBAP offers a wonderful outreach opportunity. We pray this school grows and that the Gospel and Biblical foundations will be shared with young families for God’s glory. Specifically, please pray for:

    • Monthly support for missionary teachers and/or helpers
    • ESL Workbooks for each student–$40.00 each
    • An ESL teacher’s manual–$40.00
    • Scholarships for students whose family can’t afford the cost of tuition

    Freedom Baptist Church, Rose Bud, AR

    Updated 5.8.25

    Freedom Baptist Church joined us last summer for a fast-paced mission project for Sinclair Baptist Church in Sinclair, WY. Plane tickets have been purchased for another trip this summer. This is exciting news! Continue to partner with us as we plan for this project. OJIF hopes to put the exclamation point on the work done last summer by purchasing and installing new bathroom stalls. The bathrooms, meant for 3 people, are currently being used as single bathrooms.

    As you may remember from previous videos and mentions in our newsletter, FBC is a new church, who recently celebrated their 4th anniversary. Scott and I came to know the folks at FBC through Triple S Christian Ranch, because until their new church is built, FBC meets on the Triple S campus. However, the congregation of FBC recently celebrated a huge answer to prayer. Enough funding from the One who owns it all poured in this spring. Work inside the church has begun; they now look forward to celebrating Christmas in their new church home! Praise the LORD for His faithfulness! Please continue to pray for this church, the mission trip, and the much-needed completion of this new church building.

    Missionary Acres, Silva, MO

    Please pray for these sweet folks who have dedicated their lives in service to our Lord and Savior. They desperately need help ranging from full-time lawncare to carpentry work. Carpentry work is completed as funding is available, so donations to the Acres would also be welcome.