Coming Soon To See You (If You'll Be in CA/AZ area)
- Ryan Van Deusen
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
Heyyyyy brothers & sisters in Christ!
We are excited that in one month we will be driving back to California for our visas and car permit renewals, as well as several doctor appointments, and look forward to seeing those of you who will be in the area! If you are available and would like us to visit you, please reach out so we can have a tentative schedule in place for the time we'll be there (July 1st - 24th).
Highlight of May - Mother's Day - Sharing Our Testimony with Non-Believers
This testimony night was a stretch for me (Esther). At first, I handed out flyers to cashiers from various stores I was running errands/shopping with great ease (like the woman checking our car engine light at AutoZone) to the grocery store clerks and Little Ceasar's employees...but as the days came close to the event, I felt more and more vulnerable. I was inviting ladies I'd seen several times but didn't know, to share what was most precious to me...the most important moments of my life that marked the fingerprints of God working, molding, and shaping me. And by God's grace, three ladies who never stepped foot inside a church service before and were non-believers came!! And God provided the perfect partner to share the work with!! Sister Mirna, a pastor's wife with a powerful testimony - one that continues to provoke a holy thanksgiving as she shared how she survived a horrible car accident and yet remains paralyzed from the abdomen down. The audience though not great in numbers was held captive by the stories that unfolded. God revealing Himself to us and now being revealed to them too. Even the ladies who were believers still stayed seated afterwards reflecting over the magnitude of God as He used pain and suffering to draw us to Him, and draw out tarnish from our lives. Another blessing for the ladies was that someone from Calvary Chapel of the Harbour donated a lot of new women's apparel tops the last time we were in town. They were able to fill their arms with clothes they picked out to their hearts' content! A deep longing once again got satiated: sharing Christ in us, the hope of glory!
Palos Verdes Outreach
We plan to visit the youth again this month to encourage them, connect with them where we left off, and remind them the Lord loves them and has a plan and purpose for their lives. We trust the Lord to do that work in their hearts to help them choose wisely in who they hang out with, what they listen to, and what they pursue. May God continue to keep His hand of protection upon them and and bring them to that saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Police Outreach on Father's Day
Months ago we were invited to attend the police officers' annual celebration which they say they hold on Father's Day. We will be gifting each of them (found out they have 270 policemen and women) a small gift card to the cafe for a coffee and treat. We also are teaming up with Pastor Israel from El Camino Hacia el Dios church to help make the connection all the stronger with them for the sake of the gospel. We treasure your prayers for the seed planting, watering, and harvesting that God has in mind.
Calvary Guasave & Coffee While We're Traveling
While we will be away, there are various options to consider for the church and coffee shop. As we continue praying we trust the Lord to make clear what decisions will be best for the church services and coffee shop hours. This Wednesday we are planning to all join Pastor Israel's church for bible study as tentatively he will be covering Sunday and Wednesday evening services while we are away. And as for the coffee shop, Ryan is waiting to see within the next couple weeks whether hiring a couple part-timers to cover for him or simply closing shop for the weeks we are out will be the wiser move. His long-term vision for the coffee shop is to have volunteers helping, but for the time being hired help is necessary. Also, if any of you would be interested in buying a bag of our in-store roasted Calvary Coffee, please give Ryan a heads up so he knows how much to bring.
Traveling Prayer Requests
We covet your prayers for the people that we minister to here while we are away. May the Lord continue to work in their hearts to bring about that maturity of His Word bringing forth fruit and salvation. We also need His guidance and providence for the expenses of the trip; where He would have us lodge and what plans He has for fellowship and ministry as well as the doctor appointments that have been scheduled months in advance. The kids often have quite a list of all they want to do; friends they want to see, things they miss eating and doing (some things are simple like taking walks through nature trails), but we continue adapting with them to stay flexible and let God bring about the fulfillment of His plans and provisions for our journey. He continues to prepare His vessels, as we all make up different members of His body. We look forward to connecting with you as a family in Christ, geniunely hoping God will grant us the joy of refreshing one another in our faith and pilgrimage in this life as we long for His return.
Thank you friends!! For your support; your interest, curiousity, and care of how it's going for us! Every day we wake up is a gift! Serving Him, wherever we are is a privilege of highest honor, there is no one greater who deserves that we present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him. The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you.
-The Van Deusens
Latest Merch on Amazon (for yourself or giving as a gift...available in multiple colors from 2T kids to 6XL adults)
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