Family Missions

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I was 16 years old. I'd seen and experienced so many places across America and even Spain thanks to amazing, hard-working parents who prioritized saving and family memories. But Haiti was different. Haiti was a third-world country full of physical beauty and spiritual darkness. That mission trip as a teen truly shaped my worldview, my heart, and my faith. As a result, my empathy and passion towards the hurting and the lost grew. 

It's been....let's just some years since then. Jake and I try to live our lives on mission - loving our neighbors, helping those who cross our paths when we can, and teaching our girls and anyone else who will listen about the compassion and love of Jesus. And hopefully they are hearing and learning and will grow in similar ways.

...but there's something special and different that happens with an intentional mission trip too, and I want my girls to have that experience. Our church is very mission focused and has ministry partners all over this hurting world who stand as lights against the darkness, shining the compassion of Jesus into every corner. 


So this October, we are heading to Tennessee to partner with Ability Ministry. We will be serving at a residential home for those with developmental disabilities who have outlived their caretakers. During the week we will help physically by tending to the grounds, but also mentally/emotionally/spiritually by spending time doing all kinds of fun activities with the residents. Our hope is to be able to be loving, encouraging friends to those who may sometimes feel alone or forgotten, reminding them that God sees them and loves them and is always with them. 

Step 1 of an actual mission trip is to assemble a team of people who will partner with us in prayer. If you would like to be a part of our prayer team, please text me or email jakejennywoodward@gmail.com so we can send you prayer updates along the way - pre-trip and during trip.

Step 2 is to raise funds. If you want to support in this way you can donate here (be sure to select our names from the drop-down menu). Online donations are tax-deductible. We will also be raising money in some other creative ways, so keep your eyes open for more info in the weeks to come (that will involve selling things, so not tax-deductible).

Thanks for reading! Can't wait to see what God does in our lives through this experience and how He continues to shape Liliana and Ivy's hearts through this (and mine and Jake's too!)


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