Clay Pots ~ Happy 2nd Birthday

Growth

Many of you have asked what is going on with the Tobo church since we have been state side. The Tobo church is 2 years old this month. Jason was able to meet with two of our mission’s Church Planting Consultants (2 men who have “been there and done that” and know more than us!). They had both just returned from visiting our co-workers (the Mankins and Williamsons) and the Tobo church this past fall… they were there to do an “evaluation” of sorts on how things were progressing with the church. 25 pages into the write-up on the evaluation, Jason looked up and said to me how encouraged he was by it. Now I found that pretty strange, seeing that the numbers have drastically dropped, our co-workers are still dealing with the same problems, the opposition against the church is still there, and lethargy seems to be the attitude of the day. But yet Jason is encouraged. He spoke to me of the different soils into which the seed had been planted. Some did indeed take root, but the cares of this world choked out God’s truth and they are no longer hungry for the word. And yet some…well 16 or so, from what we have heard, are staying and growing and maturing. It is painfully slow growth and not always obvious to our eyes, but it is happening. Also, the consultants communicated with Jason that they were very encouraged. Again I was flabbergasted. Why were they encouraged? Because they said they saw how strong of a foothold Satan has among the Tobo people, and yet there is a maturing church in a terribly dark place. It is nothing short of a miracle! There is one tiny church among 7,000 people who are opposed to it. Wow, I guess that is encouragement!

Where there was darkness there is now a ray of light; where there was death, there now is life.

Keep Praying!
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, Malachi & The Tobo Church

Clay Pots ~ Faith

Wow, I cannot believe that it has been this long since we last wrote a letter. I guess the holidays just really flew by. It was a special Christmas time for us as we were able to see almost every family member on both sides of our extended families. So we were at a lot of family get-togethers, and we had a great time. We rejoice in that we were able to be home and enjoy this Christmas (and a white one at that) with so many loved ones. We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends as well.

God has been particularly faithful to our family. Over this past year, we continue to see his provision almost daily in our lives. We are thanking God for his continual financial provision through all of you. Not only has God continued our support at the level where it was, but he has blessed us above and beyond that. We are here in the states and are able to see the financial stress some of you are going through… the job losses and such, and we are that much more grateful for your faithfulness. I cannot tell you how many gas cards we have received as gifts this year; it has been such a blessing to see God provide for this basic necessity. So we praise him for that, and want to thank all of you for your continued financial support for us.

God has also been faithful to heal our souls and refresh our spirits. God has taught us innumerable things on this furlough… things about himself and his faithfulness and graciousness towards us as undeserving humans who are constantly failing; things about how important the family and the body of Christ are to him; things about faith and trust and resting in our Heavenly Father. In our last letter, I mentioned some things about Joshua. Another story from Joshua which really encouraged me lately was the story of where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. The priests had to put their feet in the water before it would part. There was an element of risk involved in that act of faith and obedience. But what struck me was the fact that all faith and obedience, if it is truly that, has an element of risk involved. What if my faith and subsequent obedience fails? What if I step in the water and it does not part? What will that say about God’s character? Could I get injured? Did God really say that? But that is what walking by faith and not by sight is all about, isn’t it? “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Yes, there is an element of risk, but that is what makes living by faith so exciting… we get to see God work where no human power or ability could. Jesus said that we are to go and make disciples of every nation. Obeying that command by faith has an element of risk to it. What if no one listens? What if I get rejected? How will God provide for me to be able to accomplish this command?

I guess what really encouraged me through this story was that it brought me back to the character of God. He is trustworthy and faithful and he will do what he said he would do. Has God ever failed me? Never. He will part the waters. He will cause that depression to cease. He will save some from every corner of the world. He will provide where he guides. He will never reject or forsake those who are his own. Knowing this about my Father assures me that my faith is not a risk at all, when my faith is in Him.

May you be encouraged in the Greatness and Faithfulness of our God. And may you step out in faith where it looks like an impossible situation.

Have a joyous and fruitful new year,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots - Be Courageous

Micah (who is going to build a million snowmen), Sophia (who doesn’t remember snow), & Malachi (who has never seen snow until now)

It is almost December and Jack Frost is nipping at our noses! Kellie wants you to know that we have the decorations up and the Christmas music playing. With Christmas coming soon, it reminds us that next year is right around the corner. And for us, next year means that we will be heading back to PNG.

As I look ahead to next year, I find myself a little overwhelmed with taking on the responsibilities in the tribe again. I find myself worried about the Tobo church, concerned that our team might make mistakes along the way, inadequate because I have never done this before, and fearful that what we have done might fall apart. But I was encouraged by what the Lord said to Joshua in the first chapter of the book of Joshua. I am sure that Joshua too felt much the way I am… worried about the people he was leading, concerned that he might make mistakes, inadequate to lead people in battle when he hadn’t fought too many wars before, and fearful that they might get into the land and get completely wiped out. But God said to him, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you (past tense)… no man will be able to stand before you… I will be with you… Be strong and courageous.” Joshua was asked to fight the battle, but the outcome was not his to decide. God had already promised that the land was theirs, so obviously all Joshua had to do was go and obtain it. God would take care of him and the Israelites. No one would die if they kept their eyes on him. It was God’s war, just as the church is God’s church, and has already promised that he will build it. Building the church is not our job, but his, because as humans we really are inadequate. But he still requires us to go into battle fully trusting, confident, and courageous that God himself will give the victory.

Some prayer requests:

~We have set a target date for returning to PNG… August 1st! We need to buy a 4 years supply of certain cosmetics, electronics, office supplies, clothes for the kids, replacement parts for our solar equipment, plane tickets, contacts/glasses, chocolate (Kellie put that), etc. The prayer request would be for the necessary funds to buy it all and for some volunteers to push 10 shopping carts at Wal-mart for usJ. Trust me the look on the cashiers face is worth the trip!

~Pray for our team as they continue to translate, teach, and disciple the Tobo believers. It looks like I will be able to assist in the translation process from over here as we head into the new year, so be praying that our team can work together efficiently even with the long miles between us.

~Pray that the Tobo church will, like Joshua, be strong and courageous, fully confident in God and understand that the battle is the Lord’s as they live their lives in a very dark place.

His Clay Pots,
Jason for the Knapps

Clay Pots ~ Moving Forward

“But Jesus said unto him, ‘No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

Many of you know or have heard me share of my struggle with returning back to the mission field. I had ideas of what I thought I deserved and what I thought my “rights” were as an American woman. And full-time ministry in a remote tribal location was not one of those ideas!

For the past couple months I have been listening to this amazing (and good looking) preacher teach at various churches on unity, suffering, and sacrifice. And the other day, that same preacher quoted the above verse to me. Normally I would have hit him. However, God in His caring and loving way of working in my life had been preparing my heart to hear that verse. I have my hands on the plow but am straining to look back at everything I am leaving behind. And yet my greatest fear is failure of not finishing well. What a contradiction!

The verse was a reminder to me that I am not a citizen of this earth and that I am here to do what God has asked of me to do (through His power, so stop trying Kellie!) and to not look back. And so my goal now is to move forward, take those baby steps, and be thankful for the time God has allowed me to have here in the States instead of wishing for more or wishing that it would be permanent.

Thank you for your prayers for me in this area, they are being answered!

Kellie for the good looking Pastor, & Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

P.S. Could you pray for us again? Jason was returning home from a Bible study last night and hit a deer with the van. (Yes, the one we purchased just a few short months ago) It is discouraging because we know that God provided this van through all of you, so why would he choose to ruin a perfectly good vehicle? I don’t know either. But we would appreciate if you could be in prayer for us, this was our only vehicle and we need to make some decisions quickly. Thank you.

Speaking of cherishing fun times….

Micah and Malachi’s first time hunting with the Knapp boys!