God is good! Since last time He has blessed us with good fellowship, energy, and encouragement.

In mid June we had the honor of serving at the Cleardale Gospel Jamboree. My (Amy) favorite part was actually helping in the kitchen while we were not on stage. We all had something to do, from taking orders to flipping hamburgers. It was a good time of ministering to and with the staff.

In late June we had the pleasure of doing a morning chapel service at Teen Challenge in Calgary, AB. This service was encouraging because the men there were so receptive to God’s word.

The last day of June marked the beginning of our time at camps. We were blessed to do the chapel sessions at Camp Silversides in Lacombe, AB. While we were only there for three days of family camp we got to enjoy good fellowship as we served. It was a bit of an international affair as well; there was a Punjabi church at the camp that we were able to worship God with musically. I really remember singing I Have Decided To Follow Jesus with them in both English and Punjabi. It was a wonderful reminder that our Lord created all people and languages, and that he knows and understands them all.

Right after finishing at Camp Silversides we rushed to Mooselake Bible Camp near Edmonton, AB, where we served for two weeks, at both the Teen and Junior camps. The Lord was more than sufficient and blessed us with the energy to do His will. He also gifted us with the ability and time to really connect and pour into the campers and staff. It was privilege to witness the baptisms of 13 children while at the camp, as well the addition of 8 kids to the family of God.

The last week of July we had the opportunity to minister at Sunny Cove Bible Camp. It was a blessing to be a part of the work at Sunny Cove, to see the impact it had on the teens’ lives. One of the most rewarding events of the week came on our last night there; we got to see two girls who had been struggling with God all week accept Jesus as their savior. It is hard to express in words the joy that overcame me that night. It was a wonderful blessing to witness that event and to have been a part of it.

The last day of July marked the end of a season for 3 of us. I (Amy Leslie), Andrew Flieder, and John Ans have left the bus and returned to our respective hometowns. We had the pleasure and blessing of traveling with Jezreel for varying amounts of time, Andrew for 3 1/2 years, John for 2 years, and I for 3 months.

Thank you to all of you who lifted us up in prayer over the past couple of months, we sure felt it. We ask that you continue to pray for everyone in Jezreel as they seek the Lord’s guidance in all that they do.

In Christ,

Amy for Jezreel

Sorry it’s been a while since our last newsletter; We’ve had a few changes that have kept us busy. Lyndon, David, and Adrienne left when we crossed the border and two new girls have joined:  Amy in late April  and Rachel in early June.

In late May we had the privilege of joining Living Word Ministries (Swan River, Manitoba) in a weekend conference that focused on the victorious christian life. God blessed the 7 sessions we had over the weekend. One of the most encouraging aspects of the sessions was the growing number of attendees. What a blessing to see fellow worshipers of our Lord grow from a few rows in the auditorium to needing to add more seats. It was also wonderful just to worship with them, to be unified no matter anyone’s age or musical preference.

In the first week of June we got to encourage a group of church youth groups as they served the community in Prince George, BC. It was an honor to be a part of this outreach. We were able to build the youth up with music and speaking so that they were on fire and ready to serve the next day. The students did everything from shoveling manure to pressure washing decks and driveways. It was also nice to do a concert for them when they returned from serving and hear their stories.

While in Prince George we also had the opportunity to work with Marlynn’s family to help build an addition for her Mom and Stepdad. The Lord really blessed our work there as we were able to raise the load-baring walls and even put on the roof. Marlynn’s brothers and sister and their families were able to come out and help with the project as well and of course it was a blessing to visit with (and for some of us meet) Marlynn’s family.

For the month of July we will be serving at 1 family camp and 3 youth camps and we would appreciate your prayers. Please pray for energy for everyone working at the camps, that we will be sensitive to the campers needs, and that we will be effective for God during all the camps. Thank you for all your prayers, they are such a blessing.

In Christ,

Jezreel

We are already more than a month into 2011.It feels like last year flew by, but not without many amazing ministry opportunities and blessings. Jezreel is back on the road again. We had a wonderful time in Colorado over the holidays, but it sure feels good to be back in our “home” on the road.

January 1st we went up to Wyoming to play a Sunday morning worship service at Faith Fellowship in Guernsey. A couple of days later we did a youth worship night in Lingle at North Hills Baptist Church, and some of the youth from Faith Fellowship drove up to join in the evening. We pray and trust that God will continue to work in the lives of those young people there as they grow in Him. On our way back to Denver, God provided an opportunity for us to help a family in Greeley, CO. We helped them move last year and were able to bless them with some landscaping and construction work. The father of this family has a medical disease called MS, and it effects the body’s nerves and causes muscle deterioration. So this time we were able to spend a day organizing and building new shelves in their garage. We were so encouraged and moved to see a family totally relying on God in this great struggle, and we feel so blessed to be part of their lives. Please continue to pray for this famliy: Dad, mom, and their two daughters.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.

Back in Colorado, we did an evening concert at Crosswalk Christian Coffee Shop in Parker. This is the place where Jezreel met Andrew Flieder 3 years ago! So many friends and family came out to join us in a night of worship and fellowship. Sadly this was also where we had to say goodbye to them. We are so thankful that God provides us with homes and families to be part of everywhere we go.  Fernando also left to go home to Brazil after being with us for about 3 weeks. We miss you Fernando. Come back soon! Our last event in Colorado before heading south was in Colorado Springs on Sunday, January 9th, at the Underground Church.

We thank you for your prayers as we drove to Las Vegas.  Although we encountered a bit of snow, God watched over us and we arrived safely on January 11th. On January 13th we did an accoustic set up at a Bible study, and it was an anointed time of worship. January 15th our team lead worship for our friends down at the City Impact Center. On Sunday morning (January 16th), we led worship at at Lamb Boulevard Missionary Baptist Church. This was a new venue for us, but we were so warmly welcomed. We felt right at home among our new friends and family in Christ, and we are very thankful for their generosity.

We were blessed to be able to play at a Salvation Arm center for the homeless of downtown Las Vegas. We  pray that they saw Christ and were encouraged. We were definitely encouraged to see how the Salvation Army is so dedicated to helping those in need in their community, and sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ.  From January 21-23, our team was part of a prayer and worship week end with Renaissance Baptist Church. It was great to come together as the body of Christ to spend time focusing on prayer for 2011.

After our time in Vegas was over we made our way to the Los Angeles Salvation Arm ARC in Canoga Park. We spent three days there ministering to the men, and encouraging them. The guys in our group were able to fellowship with them and make some good connections. We were blessed both spiritually and physically there!

We did some more ministry in the East Los Angeles area at Immanuel Baptist church. It’s been a few years since the group has been there, so it was nice to connect with friends again. We did an evening concert, and a Sunday morning worship service. We were there for a few days and in that time our group went down to Santa Monica to play at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center there. The men were so responsive and God was moving. We praise Him for what He did and for what He will continue to do. Being that it was Marlynn’s birthday we took some time to spend some time on the beach, and enjoy the sunshine on the Santa Monica Pier.

Next stop in California was La Verne. This was a brand new venue for Jezreel and we met some great people. We joined the Calvary Baptist Church and Christian School,to play for their weekday chapel service, and an evening youth event. On Sunday morning we led worship for their church service. We are thankful for all of their blessing to us! In our few days we were able to do some needed work on the bus. Thank you for all your prayers! God gave the Jezreel guys wisdom and patience, and we were able to get everything done fast, and without too much trouble. Praise the Lord! We are making our way up the west coast toward the Canadian border. Please pray that God will provide us with a smooth border crossing, and that He will bless the events we have along the way. Thank you, and God bless.

We hope that you have had a blessed Christmas season. We have been in Denver CO for the holidays and have enjoyed some down time. Jezreel was blessed to be able enjoy a day of skiing and snowboarding up at Copper mountain in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. A few of the Jezreel members took the opportunity to return to family for a visit before we head back out on the road in the new year. Norm had to go to Canada suddenly for a week at the begining of December, Daiton was visiting family in Canada, and Andrew M was away at his sister’s wedding, so we were missing our three vocalists, and we were set to lead a worship service in Idaho Springs, CO. So John Ans led, and we did an acoustic set at the First Baptist Church. It was humbling, but very anointed! We learned to trust and be obedient when God takes us out of our comfort zones, but we were very thankful when the team was back together again. Unfortunately when Daiton tried to return into the US, the customs officers at the airport would not let him back in the States. We tried to contact the US customs office to see what we could do. They said that he needed to remain in Canada and establish a permanent job and address. This was a sudden shock to all of us, however we feel at peace about it because God has other things in store for him in Canada. He is staying with Shandell and Nathan, and he already has a job there. Praise the Lord for His provision. God closed one door, but we know that He will open many more. We miss you Daiton! Now that we no longer have a permanent bass player, Norm has been playing bass. It has been a challenge having to jump right in and take on an instrument that he doesn’t regularly play (for that fact he is doing very well), and we have had to make some adjustments, but God is blessing and using us even in our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

After some much needed practice with the team all together again, we put the finishing touches on our Christmas program on Saturday night, before we played it  for the first time on Sunday morning, Dec 19th, at the Springs Journey Church in Colorado Springs. Some of  the chuch members invited us to join them for a great meal and  fellowship on Saturday night, and afterwards we had a time of worship. It was not planned, but the Holy Spirit moved and it was a divine appointment. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our agenda or frustrations when we’re practicing sometimes, so to just lay our hearts before the Lord, surrendering to Him in worship is life-giving. We were in Colorado Springs for a few days and we played at the Underground Church, and Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Monument. Our team had the privilege of staying with some new friends in Colorado Springs. What a blessing! Our bus gets very cold in the winter time, so it was nice to have a warm home to stay in.

When we arrived back in Denver we set up at Highland Baptist Church for some more rehearsal. It’s great to have a space where we can leave our equipment set up, and come for practice everyday. Thank you so much Highland Baptist! On Wednesday December 22nd, our friend Fernando, from Brazil, came to join us for Christmas. He had helped translate for Jezreel during their time in Brazil this summer, and hosted John Ans in his family’s home. It was exciting to have him with us for a North American Christmas. For Christmas eve we went to Highland Baptist church for their Christmas eve service, and their church choir led us in some wonderful Christmas songs, and we lit the final advent candle. The Christmas season is such a reminder of who we are serving and why we do what we do. We desire to introduce people to Jesus Christ. The baby who was born to die, so that we may live forever. May this not just be remembered at Christmas, but every day of our lives.

December 25th….. Christmas morning! Not a typical Christmas morning for most of us though!  We woke up early and went to the church to set up in the main sanctuary and sound check, because we were going to play the next morning for Highland’s Sunday services. When we came home, we opened gifts, and had a great meal together. It was a great Christmas! Sunday morning Dec 26th we did our Christmas program for the two Sunday morning services, and again we were able to leave our instruments set up for the new years eve concert at Highland.

We are all very thankful to our friends and family for your prayers, and hospitality throughout this Christmas season. It has been wonderful. We are almost ready to hit the road again in the big ol’ bus and keep spreading the love of Christ. We hope everyone had a great Christmas, and may God’s blessings be on you and your families as we enter a new year!

Adrienne (for Jezreel)

Pray for Daiton Vike as the Lord closes one door and opens another ministry door, directing steps, along His path.

Pray that God would continue to direct us in fulfilling His will for Jezreel.

Pray for all those gave their hearts to Christ, pray that they would continue to grow in the Lord and that they would have those that are able to mentor them in their lives.

Pray for group unity, endurance, personal walks, and personal bubbles are challenged on a regular basis and as the dynamics continue to change with members coming and going.

Pray that the Lord would open the door for new bookings for 2011. Pray for Marlynn as she diligently administrates new bookings. Pray for the opportunity of partnering with the Salvation Army this year.

Pray for the Lord to provide the funds needed to publish the newly recorded CD.

Pray that we would become completely debt free this year so that the time and money the Lord has given us can be focused for greater ministry effectiveness.

Pray for good weather and safety for roofing jobs and other outdoor projects.

Pray that Jezreel would be able to sell our old van which has been in storage in Prince George, BC since being in the US this past year.

Jezreel has partnered with Bread of Life African Ministries. Please pray for Shawn Cox, his wife Primrose and their son Samuel in Uganda. Please visit their web site for more information on their ministry.