Update from the Westside – Dec 2023
Another year gone by, a multitude of memories made, saying goodbyes to some dear family and friends, as well as welcoming a new family member into our clan. While 2023 was different than many of us thought it would be, many of the best things continued: the faithfulness of God in family, finances, work and ministry.
Life in the Mission:
On the work/ministry front, things are moving along at breakneck speed, as usual. Molly continues in her role as Exec Asst to the Ministry Directors here in Lakeside. She does a fantastic job, essentially helping to run the ministry! On my end, a big change is underway. After a couple of years of scouting and planning, I recently announced that I have found a successor to my role as Discipleship Training School (DTS) Director. I took the job in 2018 with some specific goals in mind. I am so happy with the people I work with and the growth of the department and ministry that we have accomplished together. Simply put, my work is done, and the future would be served best by a leader with a different gift-set, and someone a bit younger! I will continue as the Team Leader over all Discipleship Programs (this includes DTS as well as other schools and leadership training), while helping to train and establish the new DTS Director.
Family Update:
This year has definitely been a whirlwind in terms of family evets, changes and additions. Sadly, as many of you already know, my (Jer’s) mum passed away in March. I was so blessed to be able to be with her at the end, making the trip down under less than a week before she passed away. This itself was a gift from God, as I had already scheduled a trip to see her a few weeks later, but both Molly and I felt an urgency to change plans and travel earlier. There is too much to share in this short space, suffice to say she was a wonderfully selfless and supportive mother, truly a General in the Kingdom of God, and many, many people will miss her presence. As was stated in her eulogy, “she was loved in heaven, and feared in hell”. We are all so grateful to the Lord for her life, and legacy.
Shortly after returning from Australia with Molly, I travelled to Hawaii to see a dear father in the faith, Loren Cunningham. He was the Founder of Youth With A Mission with his wife Darlene, and was battling advanced cancer. They are truly a gracious, humble, and kind couple. They happily welcomed me into their personal space where I could spend some time with Loren in his living room. Many will remember Loren as a modern-day apostle and a visionary missionary leader. For myself, due to our long history with the Cunninghams and their family from the early 1980’s (I was good friends with their son as a young boy), I will also remember him as a kind man to a young boy, and the father of a close friend. In the early 2000’s when I was serving in Kona as an adult, I had the privilege of working closely with Loren as his P.A. It was an education (!) and an honor. Loren went to be with the Lord this October. Molly and I were also able to be at his celebration of life services in Kona.
In between all of that, our eldest son Samuel decided to get engaged, and then married within 4 months! Samuel is serving with YWAM in Kona. Late in 2022 while taking more schools for training and development, he met a lovely young lady, “Kinley”. We are so happy to welcome her into our family as a second daughter, and to Eden’s excitement, “finally, a sister!” They were married here in Montana then moved back to Kona to continue serving with YWAM in Kona. Back in Montana, Joel is doing well in his second year of college, while Eden is shining in 10th grade now (hard to believe!).
Overall, this year has been one of extreme transition and change. Through everything, we have seen the goodness of God, his provision, his leading, and the blessing of many close relationships. We have learned to be thankful in the good times and press into (not withdraw) from times of suffering and grief. The Lord is so good to meet us there, and helps to develop our gratitude, and compassion.
Thank you for your ongoing love and support. I know this was a long letter, so thank you also for reading this far! Thank you to everyone for being part of 2023 with us, and here’s to 2024!
Love from us all, Jeremy, Molly, Joel, Eden, (and Sam & Kinley 😊)
GoWests! 