Saturday, July 24, 2010

Clay Pots ~ Good Picnic



Last Sunday was a great day. We were really busy that day and came home exhausted, but we were praising God because it really was a lot of fun serving alongside Christians from all over the city, meeting new people, building on new relationships, and investing more time in solid relationships. I was particularly encouraged that two Hispanic families in particular whom we have been working to build a relationship with showed up, ate, and spent some time mingling with people there. It was hot, but it was perfect weather for a picnic and we are thanking God for the great weather that he gave all of us.

We were all encouraged with the diverse crowd that came... there were hundreds of people there from all walks of life... there were churches and aid organizations, rich and poor, homeless and congressmen, Hispanics, white Caucasians, and African Americans. It was encouraging to see all the people mingling and talking, laughing, and sharing the love of Christ. 'Feed My Sheep' did a great job in providing and cooking the food. The water and lemonade were flowing, the watermelons were sliced and diced and devoured, and the barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs were a real treat to all those who came. Local bakeries and businesses and people donated tons of deserts and cookies, which was also a huge hit. I don't think anyone went away hungry. Overall, the picnic was a great success in that Christians from all over the city came together to manifest the love of Christ to those who were there... with no strings attached.

Be praying for those relationships that were established or built upon during that time... that God would use them to draw people unto himself.

Thank you for your prayers and for all of you who came down to help out.
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Friday, July 09, 2010

Volunteers Needed

James Place, Elmbrook, New Beginnings, Hope Center, La Vina del Senor, and other churches and agencies are hosting a huge community picnic for the downtown Waukesha/Hispanic community in order to display the love of Christ; and we as Clay Pots are helping as well! We need volunteers! So would you be willing to volunteer? Bring food? Or just come, mingle, and smile?

Details:
When: Sunday July 18th 12:30-4pm (Come any time!)

Where: Frame Park in Waukesha.

Food: Bring cookies, bars, or watermelon to share. Bring your own chairs & blankets.

What: There will be Children's activities, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, playground, music & more!

How: Volunteers are needed to help with activities, set up, tear down, and Spanish speakers.

If you would like to volunteer to help, you can sign up at www.elmbrook.org/events/concerts.asp. Look for the Community Picnic and click the 'Volunteer' tab. You will see a list of who is needed yet.

See you there!
Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Clay Pots ~ Three + One


Have you ever moved to a new city or state? Wow, what a transition time. You feel alone, out of sorts, a bit lost, you don't know where everything is or where the good stores and the good deals are. You feel that you waste time and money, and sometimes you sit and wonder if you will ever fit in in this new place. And yet you speak the language and know the culture for the most part. What if you had to move to another country where you knew very little of the language and had few or no friends there to greet you?

I have had the privilege to begin building relationships with three Hispanic ministers here in Waukesha. Each of them arrived from their home countries to the Waukesha area in the past 3 years and each are here to minister to the Hispanic community. As a foursome, we have been meeting together once a week for prayer and fellowship. God has knit our hearts together in a wonderful way through prayer. We pray for our families, for our community, for the gospel to go forth, for area churches, and for the growth of the Hispanic church here in Waukesha. Without fail, every time we get done, these men thank each other for coming and say to one another how much of an encouragement this is to them. They have testified to the fact that they felt alone in this town, but how this meeting has encouraged them greatly to continue on because others are here for the same purpose.

I, personally, do not think that it is coincidence that three men from three different countries arrived in the last three years to head up a Hispanic ministry for three different churches in the city of Waukesha. God is doing something here and we are praying that he uses us to encourage and empower these men to see his kingdom expand. Thank you for making this possible for us.

Pray:
That God would bind our hearts together in love and unity to serve his purposes.
That God would continue to open doors to new relationships with unbelievers.
That God would stir the hearts of the unsaved community with a desire to hear His word.
That I would continue to learn Spanish quickly.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp