Landed in LA! Good to be back, now just have to get home.
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Taipei
Somehow I lost a huge post I had typed about Taipei. Sorry.
The city is amazing. There are some very cool things happening here. It isn't your typical mission location, but God is doing some great things and there is great opportunity for ministry.
There is a great team here on the ground. They are all in their 20s and are ministering to those in their 20s.
Can't wait to share more when I get back. Now I an headed back out into the city. Thank you so much for your prayers. This has been a great trip, and we are not done yet.
The city is amazing. There are some very cool things happening here. It isn't your typical mission location, but God is doing some great things and there is great opportunity for ministry.
There is a great team here on the ground. They are all in their 20s and are ministering to those in their 20s.
Can't wait to share more when I get back. Now I an headed back out into the city. Thank you so much for your prayers. This has been a great trip, and we are not done yet.
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2nd night in the same bed
Today we went to the weekend market, which was great! It is the biggest market that I have ever seen!
We were also able toeet with a few of the missionaries includig the regional and field director. These people love what they are doing and are passionate about reaching the lost.
Probably the most impactfull thing we have seen so far this trip wasthe slum we visited this afternoon. I have attached a picture. To try and explain what we saw simply is not possible. To utter poverty and lack of hope was simply heart breaking. I will not soon forget that walk through the slum neighborhood.
To end the night we ate at a very nice Thai food place. Not exactly sure what it all was, but it was fantastic.
Tomorrow we'll got to church, then head to the airport to jump on a flight to Taiwan. This trip is flying by. With each country I wonder what we will see. And each time, God continues to exceed anything I could have imagined.
It's time for bed. I think I am finally adjusting to the time change. Tomorrow we go from 12 to 13 hours difference.
I'll update again when I get to Taiwan.
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we made it to Bangkok
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We made it to te guest house in Bangkok. We'll be headed out soon to find dinner. I'll try and post more tonight before bed.
Cambodia was amazing! I am looking forward to the next 2 countries.
Cambodia was amazing! I am looking forward to the next 2 countries.
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we made it to Bangkok
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We made it to te guest house in Bangkok. We'll be headed out soon to find dinner. I'll try and post more tonight before bed.
Cambodia was amazing! I am looking forward to the next 2 countries.
Cambodia was amazing! I am looking forward to the next 2 countries.
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temples
We toured a few old temples today. Wow, they were amazing. They we in Ankor Wat. It is where tomb raider was filmed. The history there was crazy!
We then made our way to meet with more international workers. What they are doing in this city is amazing. This city is a boarder city and many young people end up here hoping to cross into Thailand and find prosperity. There is almost no sense of family here. The church is trying to help these young people. Their dedication and love for these people is admirable.
The food was amazing as well! Best food we've had so far. It was also great to spend time with 3 of the missionary families. The kids were great!
I am looking forward to the rest of the trip, today is the last day of Cambodia. We are headed into Thailand now. And, we get to meet up with Ben, the lost passport guy :)
That's all for now. This post was written on Thursday the 28th.
We then made our way to meet with more international workers. What they are doing in this city is amazing. This city is a boarder city and many young people end up here hoping to cross into Thailand and find prosperity. There is almost no sense of family here. The church is trying to help these young people. Their dedication and love for these people is admirable.
The food was amazing as well! Best food we've had so far. It was also great to spend time with 3 of the missionary families. The kids were great!
I am looking forward to the rest of the trip, today is the last day of Cambodia. We are headed into Thailand now. And, we get to meet up with Ben, the lost passport guy :)
That's all for now. This post was written on Thursday the 28th.
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quick check in
Just checking in. Headed out for the day. Don't know when I will have internet again. Could be a few days.
We are having a great time. A really poor area today. Eye opening.
We are having a great time. A really poor area today. Eye opening.
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floating school
Today we met some of the missionaries and visited the floating school. Amazing!
We then took a 6 hour bus ride through the country to our new location. Just checked in the hotel and ready for supper.
Might post more later. Need to share the internet.
We then took a 6 hour bus ride through the country to our new location. Just checked in the hotel and ready for supper.
Might post more later. Need to share the internet.
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jet lag
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Well, the sun just came up and I am wide awake. I was able to sleep for a solid 4 hrs tonight. I hear we have a long bus ride this after noon that I am hoping gives me an opportunity to catch a nap.
Hopefully these posts will become a bit more coherent soon. Sorry about that.
Here is an update:
Our flights were long, but good. We've watched far to many movies, and I have played over 100 holes of golf on the little video game (each seat has a personal video screen for movies, games and more)
Our friend Ben, who lost his passport, is now in Korea waiting for a flight to meet up with us. I really feel bad for him. He has spent a lot of time sitting in airports so far this trip. We are looking forward to him joining us and finally being able to enjoy the trip. Please pray that the trip will not be over shadowed by these difficulties for him. I know he must be frustrated.
Today we head to start visiting some of the alliance missions and missionaries. I am excited to see and learn about what is happening here.
It is hot and humid! Last night when we arrived, it was 85 and crazy humid. Weather report for today is more of the same. 90 percent humidity. My hair is going to be so curly!
I can't promise I'll have internet the next few nights. Don't worry, no new posts does not mean anything is wrong. I will at least give a quick update whenever I get internet.
I can actually write posts, and save them to my phone. So when I get a signal, I will post what I've written. Remember though, I am not posting everything we see and experience. I gotta have some stories to tell when I get back.;)
Time for a great day! I'll post again soon.
Hopefully these posts will become a bit more coherent soon. Sorry about that.
Here is an update:
Our flights were long, but good. We've watched far to many movies, and I have played over 100 holes of golf on the little video game (each seat has a personal video screen for movies, games and more)
Our friend Ben, who lost his passport, is now in Korea waiting for a flight to meet up with us. I really feel bad for him. He has spent a lot of time sitting in airports so far this trip. We are looking forward to him joining us and finally being able to enjoy the trip. Please pray that the trip will not be over shadowed by these difficulties for him. I know he must be frustrated.
Today we head to start visiting some of the alliance missions and missionaries. I am excited to see and learn about what is happening here.
It is hot and humid! Last night when we arrived, it was 85 and crazy humid. Weather report for today is more of the same. 90 percent humidity. My hair is going to be so curly!
I can't promise I'll have internet the next few nights. Don't worry, no new posts does not mean anything is wrong. I will at least give a quick update whenever I get internet.
I can actually write posts, and save them to my phone. So when I get a signal, I will post what I've written. Remember though, I am not posting everything we see and experience. I gotta have some stories to tell when I get back.;)
Time for a great day! I'll post again soon.
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we have arrived in Cambodia!
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We are here. After nearly 30 hrs of Travel we have arrived. Some have slept the whole way, others just an hour or two. Me... somewhere in the middle.
The flights have been good. Our transfer in Korea consisted of deboarding. Going through security, and reboardong. It took less than 15 minutes.
The food has been ok. Rice and beef, chicken and rice, and some other thing have been served. It is a great airline! Even we go en slippers for the long flight.
We are very tired and looking forward to sleep, which may or may not come ;)
Thank you all for praying. We look forward to what is on store for us tomorrow and in the coming days. We are hopeful that we will soon here that Ben is not far behind us. Last we were able to hear from him, we were in LA and he was on Chicago hopeful of a midnight flight.
That is all I have for now. Thanks for following along.
The flights have been good. Our transfer in Korea consisted of deboarding. Going through security, and reboardong. It took less than 15 minutes.
The food has been ok. Rice and beef, chicken and rice, and some other thing have been served. It is a great airline! Even we go en slippers for the long flight.
We are very tired and looking forward to sleep, which may or may not come ;)
Thank you all for praying. We look forward to what is on store for us tomorrow and in the coming days. We are hopeful that we will soon here that Ben is not far behind us. Last we were able to hear from him, we were in LA and he was on Chicago hopeful of a midnight flight.
That is all I have for now. Thanks for following along.
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on the plane
Just got on the plane. Headed to Korea. Last update till after we get settled. We all have passports, one of the guys is still in Chicago but has passport and will meet us in Cambodia.
Thanks for your prayers. It's going to be great! Just a lot of sitting before we get there.
Thanks for your prayers. It's going to be great! Just a lot of sitting before we get there.
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ready to fly
Other than that, nothing else is new. A lot of sitting is in our future.
Check it out, they gave us the alliance plane. Actually, its not our plane, but it was at our gate.
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a bit of our schedule.
Remember all times are "local," so once we land in Cambodia, you'll have to add 12 hours.
Oct. 25 at 9:03am depart Chicago
Oct. 26 – 10:55pm land in Phnom Penh
Oct. 27- Visit floating schools/New Jerusalem Church ESL ministry in am, bus for Angkor Wat in pm
Oct. 28- Angkor Wat and depart for Poipet in evening
Oct. 29- Poipet/No man’s land and depart for Bangkok
Oct. 30- Bangkok Weekend market (amazing!), Siam Square tour ministry, Slum ministry,
Oct. 31- International Church and fly to Taipei
Nov. 1- Ximen Ministry tour in Taipei
Nov. 2- Tour of Taipei and more Ximen
Nov. 3- Free day in Taiwan
Prayer Card
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Want a reminder to be praying for us as we are on our trip? Just print out this picture and put it in a place that you will see it often. As you notice it, remember to pray for us...
crunch time...
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Time is ticking and I am feeling the crunch. So much to do to get ready for this trip. Tonight I am feeling overwhelmed. I thought I would leave a few prayer requests here so you can be praying as we prepare for the trio.
1. Pray for the prep work - all of us are leaving our student ministries for 2 weeks. There us a lot of prep work to get done. Thankfully I am leaving our ministry in great hands.
2. Pray for good family time. We are all also leaving behind families. We want to maximize the family time before we leave.
3. Pray that God would be preparing our hearts now for what we will see and experience while we are gone.
Thanks for praying. I'd love to hear back from you all. Comment and let me know you are reading. I am excited you'll be following along with us!
Ps... sorry in advance for any typos. This is my first post from my cell phone (how I will be updating on the trip) sometimes the auto correct adds some weird words.
1. Pray for the prep work - all of us are leaving our student ministries for 2 weeks. There us a lot of prep work to get done. Thankfully I am leaving our ministry in great hands.
2. Pray for good family time. We are all also leaving behind families. We want to maximize the family time before we leave.
3. Pray that God would be preparing our hearts now for what we will see and experience while we are gone.
Thanks for praying. I'd love to hear back from you all. Comment and let me know you are reading. I am excited you'll be following along with us!
Ps... sorry in advance for any typos. This is my first post from my cell phone (how I will be updating on the trip) sometimes the auto correct adds some weird words.
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Living with Hope?
Caden has just discovered the joy of looking through the Fleet Farm toy catalog (no thanks to his grandma! :)) He cracks me up! Everything that he see, he wants! "Daddy, can I have this now?" It reminds me of when I was growing up, looking through the toy catalog. I'd circle the things that I wanted, which ended up to be about everything.
Remember when you'd find something that you really wanted? If you were like me, I'd tear it out of the catalog and keep it with me. Maybe you taped it to your wall, or above your bed. Maybe you kept it in your pocket, of had it in your locker at school. Whatever the case, you would keep looking at it, waiting for the day that it would finally be yours!
Maybe, you really got excited and you prepared to receive it. You know what I am talking about... you cleared room for it in your bedroom, you got rid of other things to make room, etc. You get the pitcure.
In Romans 8:24-25 Paul tells us we should be looking forward to, and anticipating our eternity with Christ the same way. We must live with the HOPE that we are given through Jesus Christ. If you read in the verses before, it talks about the FUTURE GLORY that will be ours.
* Do you have this HOPE of FUTURE GLORY that is described in these verses?
* Do you look forward to this FUTURE GLORY with anticipation? Fear?
* How can we live with this HOPE when things are so bleak?
Remember the HOPE that is described in these verses isn't the same hope that you have in wishing you would receive the latest and greatest gift. As Christians, it isn't IF we will receive the gift, we know we will... Its the HOPE that we have for that day. We aren't hoping FOR the gift... we live with hope BECAUSE of the gift.
What have you been learning from the Bible today? This week? Share it!
Remember when you'd find something that you really wanted? If you were like me, I'd tear it out of the catalog and keep it with me. Maybe you taped it to your wall, or above your bed. Maybe you kept it in your pocket, of had it in your locker at school. Whatever the case, you would keep looking at it, waiting for the day that it would finally be yours!
Maybe, you really got excited and you prepared to receive it. You know what I am talking about... you cleared room for it in your bedroom, you got rid of other things to make room, etc. You get the pitcure.
In Romans 8:24-25 Paul tells us we should be looking forward to, and anticipating our eternity with Christ the same way. We must live with the HOPE that we are given through Jesus Christ. If you read in the verses before, it talks about the FUTURE GLORY that will be ours.
* Do you have this HOPE of FUTURE GLORY that is described in these verses?
* Do you look forward to this FUTURE GLORY with anticipation? Fear?
* How can we live with this HOPE when things are so bleak?
Remember the HOPE that is described in these verses isn't the same hope that you have in wishing you would receive the latest and greatest gift. As Christians, it isn't IF we will receive the gift, we know we will... Its the HOPE that we have for that day. We aren't hoping FOR the gift... we live with hope BECAUSE of the gift.
What have you been learning from the Bible today? This week? Share it!
PAID IN FULL
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I am so excited to post that my trip has been paid for in full! My plan tickets have been purchased and I am ready to go! I cannot begin to say thank you to all of you who have supported as I raised funds for the trip. I am blown away at the response that I received! Donations from $2.00 to much larger have been a constant in our mailbox. I am so thankful for my friends and family that have been so supportive of me.
From the very beginning, the cost of the trip was the biggest obstetrical. How could I pay for this trip on my own? Could Kate and I really afford to do this? The more I thought and prayed about this trip, the more that I knew that it was something that God was leading me to. The fact that my trip is now paid in full is another testimony of God providing! Before I left on vacation, I was $450.00 short on my funds. As I walked out of church on Sunday morning, I was $10.00 short! Thanks to those who helped support me. My prayer is that God would bless you as you have blessed me!
Now that the trip is paid for, the reality of the trip is starting to set in. I cannot believe that in just under 60 days, I'll be headed to Asia! Looks like I better start getting things in order. I am already excited about what God will do in and through this trip. I know that it is going to be an eye opening experience for our team! I am also anticipating that God is going to use it in huge ways in our student's lives as well.
Thanks for your support of my trip to this point. If you would like to be praying for the team and I, here are some specific ways that you can be praying:
1. Not everyone is fully funded. Please pray for funds to come in for the other teammembers
2. Pray that God would be preparing us for our time in SE Asia.
3. Each of us are leaving behind family and ministries. Please pray for our families. Please also pray for our ministries. Us being gone, means other leaders need to step in and take over for us. Please pray that God would prepare those leaders.
Thanks for your support!
From the very beginning, the cost of the trip was the biggest obstetrical. How could I pay for this trip on my own? Could Kate and I really afford to do this? The more I thought and prayed about this trip, the more that I knew that it was something that God was leading me to. The fact that my trip is now paid in full is another testimony of God providing! Before I left on vacation, I was $450.00 short on my funds. As I walked out of church on Sunday morning, I was $10.00 short! Thanks to those who helped support me. My prayer is that God would bless you as you have blessed me!
Now that the trip is paid for, the reality of the trip is starting to set in. I cannot believe that in just under 60 days, I'll be headed to Asia! Looks like I better start getting things in order. I am already excited about what God will do in and through this trip. I know that it is going to be an eye opening experience for our team! I am also anticipating that God is going to use it in huge ways in our student's lives as well.
Thanks for your support of my trip to this point. If you would like to be praying for the team and I, here are some specific ways that you can be praying:
1. Not everyone is fully funded. Please pray for funds to come in for the other teammembers
2. Pray that God would be preparing us for our time in SE Asia.
3. Each of us are leaving behind family and ministries. Please pray for our families. Please also pray for our ministries. Us being gone, means other leaders need to step in and take over for us. Please pray that God would prepare those leaders.
Thanks for your support!
Strange Facts about South East Asia
There are just 75 more days till I head off to South East Asia with some of the coolest people in the world, or at least Wisconsin. As money continues to come in from my generous facebook, twitter and real life friends and family, this trip is becoming more and more of a reality!
This morning I was searching around the internet to find some fun facts about South East Asia. I am sure that I will be sharing more of them on the blog in the days to come, but for today I thought I would share this little gem. Looks like I'll need to pack a helmet.
Fun Facts About Thailand:
Until next time...
There is a saying in Thailand that you don't have to worry about falling coconuts because coconuts have eyes. Since more people get killed by falling coconuts than sharks each year, they obviously don't worry about sharks either!There you have it... Looks like I need to learn to walk with my head up looking for falling coconuts! Time to start practicing!
Until next time...
Help put me at 100%
If you haven't, I'd love to have you join my team! If somehow I could get every one of my facebook friends to give just 2 dollars I would reach my 100% goal! I have already raised over 2/3 of my needed funds! Would you consider being a part of my support team?
You can mail any donation to
Chris Folkestad
609 E. Louisiana Street
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
or if you live in the area, you can just get it to me in person.
Whether you give or not, I'd love for you to be a part of my prayer team. I am currently putting together an email list so that I can keep those who are wanting to pray up to date with current prayer requests. Please email me if you'd like to be included on the list. Chris(at)stcroixalliance.com
Thanks again! Hope to hear from each of you soon!
Chris
Why I'm excited for SE Asia
I am excited for my upcoming trip to South East Asia! I've been thinking a lot about this trip over the last week and a half. There are many things that I am excited for, some that I am nervous about and still more things that I just don't know. Traveling to a part of the world that I've never been to, and honestly, don't know a whole lot about is an interesting adventure.
I thought I would post a few of the things that are on my mind right now concerning the trip.
Things I am excited about
1. I am excited about our team. I would be exited about spending any amount of time with these guys doing just about anything... but the fact that we will be traveling across the globe and visiting different mission fields is going to be amazing. As we spend time in Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia, we'll be spending time meeting and praying for the people we meet. We'll also be talking about how our students can connect with some of these people. I am so excited about spending time with our team!
2. I am excited about being able to meet and encourage the Alliance missionaries that are working in the 3 countries that we will be visiting. It's great to have missionaries in our churches sharing about what they are doing overseas, but I am really excited to be visiting THEM and seeing first hand their ministry. This will be my first trip to an Alliance mission field, and I am very excited!
3. I am excited about what God is going to teach myself and our team! I know that every mission trip I have been on, whether it was in North Dakota or Africa, God has taught me about who He is, and what is important to Him. In fact, I wrote a blog post a while back about the different things God has taught me through different mission trips. you can read it here.
4. I am excited to experience a new culture. Our concept of the world is so small. I am excited to see a different part of the world.
Things I am nervous about
1. I am nervous about being away from my family. Its not the time that I will be away, its more the distance. I know that this was the hardest part of going to Africa a few years ago. When I went to Africa I left my pregnant wife at home for almost 3 weeks! That would tough, but I have to be honest, I think that leaving her with 2 kids will be even more difficult. I know that I will be fine, I know that they will be fine, but its going to be difficult to leave them behind. I am excited for a trip that Kate can come overseas with me, and some day, when Caden and Avery can come with us too!
2. I am nervous about the food. It's no secret that I love food. However, I don't love all food. Especially sea food. I am interested to see what kind of food I will be eating while away. I have heard horror stories, and don't want to have any of them to post about on the blog...
3. I am nervous about what we might see. I know that not everything that we are going to see is going to be good. We'll be seeing some things that are going to stick with us for a long time. How do you prepare for what you might see when you don't really know what it will be? I am not sure...
Thanks for processing with me! I am very excited about this trip. I believe that it will not only have a huge impact on my life, and the lives of our team members, but also on our ministries back at home. Our whole purpose of this trip is to come back and be able to better emphasis missions with our students. Specifically, to choose a Field Of Focus for our district student ministries. Eventually leading to a trip back with students to one of the countries.
If you'd like to support me on this trip, I would love it! I need prayer support. Would you consider praying for me as I prepare for this trip as well as while we are over there? If so, please send me an email or comment on this post and let me know. I want to be able to have a list of prayer people so I can keep you up to date with current prayer requests.
Also, if you'd like to support me financially, I would appreciate it. I am raising my own support for this trip. You can read about how you can support me here. Thanks in advance for your support!
All for now...
I thought I would post a few of the things that are on my mind right now concerning the trip.
Things I am excited about
1. I am excited about our team. I would be exited about spending any amount of time with these guys doing just about anything... but the fact that we will be traveling across the globe and visiting different mission fields is going to be amazing. As we spend time in Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia, we'll be spending time meeting and praying for the people we meet. We'll also be talking about how our students can connect with some of these people. I am so excited about spending time with our team!
2. I am excited about being able to meet and encourage the Alliance missionaries that are working in the 3 countries that we will be visiting. It's great to have missionaries in our churches sharing about what they are doing overseas, but I am really excited to be visiting THEM and seeing first hand their ministry. This will be my first trip to an Alliance mission field, and I am very excited!
3. I am excited about what God is going to teach myself and our team! I know that every mission trip I have been on, whether it was in North Dakota or Africa, God has taught me about who He is, and what is important to Him. In fact, I wrote a blog post a while back about the different things God has taught me through different mission trips. you can read it here.
4. I am excited to experience a new culture. Our concept of the world is so small. I am excited to see a different part of the world.
Things I am nervous about
1. I am nervous about being away from my family. Its not the time that I will be away, its more the distance. I know that this was the hardest part of going to Africa a few years ago. When I went to Africa I left my pregnant wife at home for almost 3 weeks! That would tough, but I have to be honest, I think that leaving her with 2 kids will be even more difficult. I know that I will be fine, I know that they will be fine, but its going to be difficult to leave them behind. I am excited for a trip that Kate can come overseas with me, and some day, when Caden and Avery can come with us too!
2. I am nervous about the food. It's no secret that I love food. However, I don't love all food. Especially sea food. I am interested to see what kind of food I will be eating while away. I have heard horror stories, and don't want to have any of them to post about on the blog...
3. I am nervous about what we might see. I know that not everything that we are going to see is going to be good. We'll be seeing some things that are going to stick with us for a long time. How do you prepare for what you might see when you don't really know what it will be? I am not sure...
Thanks for processing with me! I am very excited about this trip. I believe that it will not only have a huge impact on my life, and the lives of our team members, but also on our ministries back at home. Our whole purpose of this trip is to come back and be able to better emphasis missions with our students. Specifically, to choose a Field Of Focus for our district student ministries. Eventually leading to a trip back with students to one of the countries.
If you'd like to support me on this trip, I would love it! I need prayer support. Would you consider praying for me as I prepare for this trip as well as while we are over there? If so, please send me an email or comment on this post and let me know. I want to be able to have a list of prayer people so I can keep you up to date with current prayer requests.
Also, if you'd like to support me financially, I would appreciate it. I am raising my own support for this trip. You can read about how you can support me here. Thanks in advance for your support!
All for now...
Help Send me to Asia!
Hey Blogging and Facebook friends!
In October I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to South East Asia (Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia) with a group of youth pastors from Wisconsin. I am very excited for this opportunity to see what God is doing on the other side of the world.
Why am I writing a post about a trip that will not happen till October? Because I need your help! are you willing to help me get to SE Asia (and back)? If all of my facebook friends donated 2.00 to my trip, I would have raise more than half of my trips cost.
Do you want to help? If you do, I would love to talk with you more about my trip! The great thing is that every little bit helps. I would love to be able to count you as part of my support team. Here are my promises to you:
1. Any money that you give will go towards the cost of my trip
2. Any excess money that comes I will donate to needs I see while in the 3 Countries
3. I will keep this blog undated with information about the trip before, during and after the travel dates.
I'd love to talk with you more about this trip! Let me know if you have questions!
I don't expect everyone to give, but if you'd like to, it can be sent to
Chris Folkestad
609 E Louisiana Street
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
**donations for this trip are not tax deductible due to IRS rules and regulations*
In October I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to South East Asia (Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia) with a group of youth pastors from Wisconsin. I am very excited for this opportunity to see what God is doing on the other side of the world.
Why am I writing a post about a trip that will not happen till October? Because I need your help! are you willing to help me get to SE Asia (and back)? If all of my facebook friends donated 2.00 to my trip, I would have raise more than half of my trips cost.
Do you want to help? If you do, I would love to talk with you more about my trip! The great thing is that every little bit helps. I would love to be able to count you as part of my support team. Here are my promises to you:
1. Any money that you give will go towards the cost of my trip
2. Any excess money that comes I will donate to needs I see while in the 3 Countries
3. I will keep this blog undated with information about the trip before, during and after the travel dates.
I'd love to talk with you more about this trip! Let me know if you have questions!
I don't expect everyone to give, but if you'd like to, it can be sent to
Chris Folkestad
609 E Louisiana Street
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
**donations for this trip are not tax deductible due to IRS rules and regulations*
New Post?
I'd love to post something fun or creative here... maybe sometime I will find time to do so....
Harvest in May?
As I sat there today, I brought along my Bible. This week I challenged a student I am meeting with to read the book of John. I decided that since I told him to, I should take another trip through the book as well. So I pulled out my Bible and started reading.
I love the book of John because it is all about the person and life of Jesus! I love that it is so easily understood and so clearly describes who Jesus is, and what is needed to have a relationship with him. It seems like each time I read through it, I am reminded of something different. If you haven't read through the book of John lately, I would encourage you to do it! I promise you will learn something as you do!
As I read through John 4 today, I was reminded of one of those simple truths. You know, the ones that you hear in Sunday School as a little child, then again in youth group, and then again during Sunday mornings from your pastor... The ones that you know are true, but sometimes you never really stop to think about what they might mean to actually put them into practice.
These verses jumped off the pages for me this morning:
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.35 You know the saying, `Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripes for harvest.36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!37 You know the saying, `One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.38 I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest."I'm no farmer (but I did marry one) but I know that May is not the month for harvest. I also know that as I sat at the picnic table in downtown St. Croix Falls, I realized that I was smack in the middle of the field that God has placed me. The people, the culture, the youth and the city are ready for harvest! God has placed me where he has, not just so that I could work in the 4 walls of a church building, but so that I could be a part of the harvest of this field. This ins't anything earth shattering to me. But reading these verses while sitting in the middle of the "field" was powerful for me today!
In verse 36 it says, "What Joy Awaits both the planter and the harvester." I am excited to experience that Joy! My prayer is that I would be a part of the planting and a part of the harvesting in this Valley! Where has God placed you? Do you see the harvest around you? Are you a part of the planting? Are you experiencing the Joy of seeing the rewards of the hard work?
Would you do me a favor? Take your Bible, go into the middle of your town and sit down and read John 4:34-38. Maybe you need to drive your car to downtown and park and read these verses, maybe you can go to a park or a coffee shop, but find a way to get out of your normal surroundings and read these verses. After you have read them a couple times, take time to pray. Ask God to show you the harvest. Ask him to give you the boldness to plant seeds, and ask him to kick you our of your comfort zone and get start being purposeful about sharing your faith in Christ with the people around you.
This isn't a message to pastors. It is a message to believers.
PLEASE, if you read this post, do what I am asking. Then come back here and share how it went for you. It's only May, but the harvest is here!
(thanks to Yetta Olmstead for the photo of "my field.")
Olympic Cake
There are times I open my mouth and speak before thinking. This may come as a surprise to some of you, but it is true. I know, I know, you are shocked. ANYWAY, I told the small group that Katie and I attend each Tuesday night that I would make a cake for dessert last night. I had many grand thoughts and ideas, but I settled on a more simple cake since I didn't have a whole lot of time, or ambition.
I decided on an Olympic theme with lots of color. Here are a few pictures.
I decided on an Olympic theme with lots of color. Here are a few pictures.
Above: a picture of the top of the Cake. Its the Olympic guy.
Above: a picture of the "rainbow" layers. Everyone was rather impressed with my layering skills :) Used the colors from the dude on top to also color the cake. 6 layers and it didn't even lean that bad!
A special thanks to Amanda from our church. She is the cake/cookie queen! I used her recipe for the rainbow cake. Her stuff is amazing! Check out her blog here.
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