Clay Pots ~ Kellie

As some of you know Kellie had a CAT scan done last Wednesday. Her Dr. was looking for some cancer in her lymph nodes. We were called back to the Doctors office on Monday and they expressed their concern that the results of the CAT scan showed that Kellie might have at the very least, a cyst on her one remaining ovary (she had a partial hysterectomy 3 years ago) or at the very worst, ovarian cancer. 4 hours later we were then told by an OBGYN surgeon (after an ultrasound) that the CAT scan was miss-read and Kellie is very healthy. Also, a week ago Kellie went in to her Dermatologist and was assured that her melanoma is no longer there! So it has been an emotional roller coaster these past few days going from what could be cancer to something totally normal. But it has been really good for us to go through it together. You tend to appreciate each other more knowing that you could lose the other one at any time… so you hold each other a little tighter every night, you take more time to really listen to your kids, and you ignore the dishes and laundry (I guess we tend to do that anyway!). We never really know what the future holds, do we? It was a good reminder to Kellie to live every day like it could be her last. Thankfully there isn’t anything we would change about our lives. Well except for those medical bills!

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

Clay Pots ~ Fall

You can take the kids out of the jungle, but can’t take the jungle out of the kids

It’s fall time here in Wisconsin! I think the #1 reason most of us Wisconsinites brave the cold winters is so we can be here for fall. It is awesome watching the leaves change colors and to be able to experience a change in season. It is so much different than the tribe!

Malachi had his surgery last Thursday. If you have never seen your child on those relaxation drugs, it is a must for all parents, totally funny. We are only sad that we left the video camera at home! The surgery went awesome but the recovery time wasn’t so much fun for him. It is hard to see your little guy in so much pain and with so many questions. He felt great before the surgery and not so great afterwards so it was hard for him to understand the necessity for the pain. It did help having his Grandparents and his Auntie bring him special treats though! And thanks to all of you who brought meals.

Micah and Sophia are enjoying going to a “real” school for the first time and yet not really enjoying the very “real” homework! As a family, it has been an adjustment making school a priority in our lives. I know that sounds funny but in the tribe so many other things demand our time that school did not necessarily get the priority it deserved. We are proud of our kids and the extra time and energy they have to put into school.

I have been busy writing sermons, preaching at different churches, watching the Packers lose, and making furniture. It has been a joy to me to be able to share my passion for discipleship with different congregations. The month of October is mission conferences at two of our churches, so I am looking forward to that opportunity as well.

Kellie has been really enjoying just…being. She has been able to spend some time at home with Malachi, work on refinishing some furniture “steals” which she found at garage sales, and help the kids with homework at night. In the upcoming month she will be sharing at a few different ladies groups, AWANA, and Sunday Schools. It has been awesome to see God meet my wife in her frailty and give her the strength again to speak of his power in her own life and in the lives of others.

Thank you to all of you for all of your love and support which you have lavished on our family during our time at home. We know many of you are struggling with finances during this financially unstable time and we are in awe of God’s continued provision in our lives as you sacrifice daily to provide for us. There are no words to express our gratitude!

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

Clay Pots ~ Malachi and our Family

We have a praise and yet another prayer request: Malachi has healed up wonderfully form his stitches and concussion. However since then he has come down with malaria. Through a series of circumstances the Doctor examined him and found an un-related problem which will require surgery. So Malachi will be going into surgery on October 2nd. They will be closing up a tube, removing some fluid, and preventing a future hernia. Our prayer request is that he will heal up completely from the malaria and his fever will leave so that he can be strong enough to do the surgery in a couple weeks.

To be honest, we as a family are barely holding on as we feel that we have little to no time to process one crisis before we head into the next. Please be in prayer for us as we fall into His arms and “give up”. As some of you have probably noticed we have really stepped back from communicating and being involved in things. Even to the point of having to go back on our word and withdraw from things we had originally said we would love to do. We as a family need more time to work through everything, and we really need some “normal” time as our own family. At this point in time, talking about our time in the tribe is painful for us because we have had so many crisis that we have not had a chance to fully internalize or process. We thank you for your love and grace towards us as we take this time to refresh our souls.

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

Clay Pots ~ Remembering to Pray

Micah and Sophia’s first day of school!

Bored. Twiddling our fingers. HoHum. I keep thinking one of these days I can use those words to describe our lives, but alas we are nothing close to that these days! Malachi thought it would be kind of cool this past week to jump off a retaining wall, get a concussion, 15 stitches, 5 hours in the hospital, and a visit to the dentist. Dad and Mom did not find it so cool. Malachi is now experiencing the joy of eating everything through a straw and talking like Rocky.

The two weeks before that, we as a family have been grieving, praying, and struggling with the situation Kellie’s brother and family have been going through. We are grateful for the body of believers nation-wide who have comforted and helped out Kellie’s parents, their Bed and Breakfast, and Jonathan.

When we first arrived in the States the Tobo church and our co-workers were never very far from our thoughts at any given hour of the day. The busier we get though, the more we find ourselves only thinking of them perhaps once a day. We are realizing how much more difficult it is for you to remember to pray for the Tobo believers when you have never even been to Papua New Guinea and have never met them. But the simple truth is that this job is a group effort. We and our co-workers cannot do this without you or your prayers. So during this year, our desire is to foster additional prayer and financial support for the Tobo church. Sometimes simply writing a check each month can remind us to pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ being persecuted on the other side of the globe. For instance, one lady from the Tobo church is no longer allowed to come to the church meetings because her husband has threatened to slit her throat. Wow, I know how hard it is to think beyond our crazy schedules here in the States, but could you take a minute and pray for her and for other Tobo believers who are faced with this sort of opposition? And pray for other believers who have not been persecuted, but need to persevere and grow in their faith by making the tough decisions instead of being hesitant and afraid to make a stand for Christ. Also, pray for our co-workers the Mankins and Williamsons, that God will give them the wisdom and strength as they disciple the believers and stand in the face of opposition. God has so designed that prayer is vital to the spread and belief of the gospel, so please continue to lift up the Tobo church before our heavenly Father. Thank you.

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