Clay Pots ~ Ending of an Era

When we came home from Papua New Guinea we wondered where God was leading us and how He was going to use us. He clearly directed our family to minister to the Hispanic population through the avenue of a new ministry that we started (Clay Pots) in partnership with our supporting churches. Its purpose was to plant a Hispanic church. The latest census shows that the Hispanic population has grown to over 50 million in the USA, a growth of 26%. An amazing statistic! As Jason built relationships and made connections with a number of Hispanic families, Hispanic pastors, churches, organizations, business owners, etc., it became apparent to him that the majority of Hispanics did not desire to separate, but to integrate into our society. So as we looked at it, Clay Pots ministry, in its original intention of a separate church plant, needed to be re-evaluated.

In the meantime a large church that Jason was ministering with, adopted the vision of integration. That church was looking at hiring a part time Legal Consultant for Immigrants. Jason applied for the job thinking that it could be a good fit, and we just found out this past week that he was chosen to fill the position. We feel so blessed that they chose Jason as this allows him to continue to pursue the relationships which were built and the ministry that was started, just through different means. Jason will be properly trained and accredited and then eventually will have an office downtown Waukesha. Jason will continue to work part time with Kellie's Dad at Ziebarth Masonry & Chimney Service to supplement our income, and Kellie has been asked back to the public school, part-time, to continue helping out as a literacy teacher. We are so thankful to see God's hand ever so gently moving us in this direction. With this new job, though, we will have to leave our Waukesha Bible Church family whom we have been a part of for over 25+ years. Our hearts are heavy, but we know that where God guides, He will provide (on all levels). He has never let us down and we know that he never will.

We have also moved! We have been trying for the past year and a half to build a home, buy a home, and lastly purchase a foreclosed home. For various reasons, they all fell through. We were disappointed, but God has provided a wonderful place to rent where our family can spread out and enjoy a deck. Our new address is 1609 Dover Dr. Waukesha, WI 53186. Our email address continues to be: jason@claypots.org (or) kellie@claypots.org (or) Micah's is soccerstudjr@gmail.com

We do covet your continued prayers and support as we make yet another transition in life. Pray that we can finish this summer out strong with the garden project, transition well, not worry about tomorrow, and look with joy towards the future. For those of you who have faithfully supported us financially through the many years, there are no words to express our gratitude to you. You have touched our own lives and through your gifts, the lives of others in Papua New Guinea and in Waukesha. Thank you so much! July 31stwill be the official ending of Clay Pots ministry.

That said, we will continue to live our lives as God’s vessels of grace and we will continue to allow God to use our frail vessels as he sees fit. So we will continue to post updates on our blog from time to time. But we will no longer be sending out mass emails. So if you want to keep up with our family, just check out our blogspot: www.claypots.org.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah (12), Sophia(10), & Malachi(7) Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Muddy Start

Saturday was a great day! In spite of the rain, there were ten immigrant families who braved the chilly, damp morning to break ground and plant seeds. We started at 11:00 and by 11:30 it had started to rain and things got good and muddy. Everyone's feet were caked in two tons of mud within minutes; but no one left. They all stayed and got soaked while continuing to prepare the ground and planting.

It was great to hear the comments, see the smiles, and watch the interaction. One lady from Burma, and her husband, stayed well into the afternoon... I don't think they left till 4:00, and she kept saying how much she likes to garden and how perfect this was because she had no space for a vegetable garden at home. The Hispanic children that I was working with kept telling me how much they were learning and how much fun this was for them. Their family of 5 are crammed in a small apartment, so they don't get to do this type of stuff. Another friend was happy with the opportunity to get his children together and teach them something useful while getting the headphones out of their ears. On the 7th there will be a group of elderly Hispanics working on a plot together and there is another new family heading out on Friday to start their garden, so it looks like even more people will be spending the summer with all of us.

Thank you to all of you who donated food, time, and tools for the sake of these people. We had volunteers come from all over and we had donations come from as far away as Baraboo! Thank you. You all were a blessing and brought a sense of 'belonging' to those who came. These people are looking for acceptance and community in and among our culture and all of them said how great it was to rub shoulders with all of you.

Thank you
Jason for the rest

10 days and Counting!!

Latest count we have 15 Hispanic families from the community signed up for the community gardens! We wish all of you could be a part of hearing their stories and seeing their excitement. They long for a sense of community and belonging in their newly adopted country. To hear how we are meeting their needs physically is a huge part of that as well. For them to be told it really is all free because a whole lot of people love them is speaking the gospel to them.

Soooo we still need your help:-) As more people from the community sign up we have more needs. We need more volunteers to "host" a family. What this means is that we need people to just be willing to be introduced to a specific family in the community. To be willing to exchange phone numbers. To be willing to help when they call. To be willing to give a ride when needed. To be willing to hang out with them at the gardens and let them practice their English with you every once in awhile. I know how very intimidating it is. But I also know what an incredible blessing it is.

We also still need some tools. Check out the garage sale near you...I have been finding tools at really good prices at garage sales!
Here is a list of what is still needed....
3 wheelbarrows
12 watering cans
4 hoses
6 shovels
6 hoes
6 garden rakes
Tomato cages (these wont be needed immediately)

And lastly, the kickoff is May 21st and it will be an all day event. FOOD will be appreciated. Here is a list of some things we are hoping to have laid out for people to munch on:
Bags of tortilla chips
jars of salsa
Icees (they are long thin popsicles in a plastic wrap, they come in a box or bag and you freeze them)
bottled water
apples
oranges
carrots
pretzels
cookies

Please do come out May 21st. Grab a shovel, help hand out seeds, play on the playground, have some chips, or share a smile and an icee with a new friend:-)

Thank you for being willing to sacrifice to show the love of Christ to those around you, Please do email me if you are planning on donating any of the above items so we dont go out and buy what isn't needed.

Clay Pots ~ cement

From the beginning, we were hoping to harness rain water for use on the community garden. I was thinking of a few rain barrels, but I usually think too small. So anyway, when you put Pete Burrie, Keith Knapp, and Reese Braband in the mix, you got yourself a world-class reservoir coming your way. So last Saturday we dug and assembled some forms for some pads upon which a couple of nice donated pallet racks are going to sit. On Thursday, the cement was donated by Ace in Waukesha and Pete was out there to finish it off. When all is said and done, we may even get the reservoirs for free too... at least we are hoping. We are getting there, and looking forward to being able to enjoy using the rain.

Hopefully see you on May 21st for the kickoff, bring donations of tools and seedlings if you have them.
His Clay Pots,
Jason for the rest