Kris Mahnke's Missionary Journey

Hi friends.

Long time - no post. I've been on FB instead of my blog.

However, I wanted to tell you that the kids at my church recently gave a little presentation for their "Missions Alive! Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Study." I was very proud of them as they really put themselves into their missionary skit and songs. They didn't let their nerves get the better of them. PTL!

Afterward, we took up an offering for the Messiah Free Methodist School in Managua, Nicaragua - the one whose pastor recently past away. It was sad to tell about Pastor Luis, yet not sad. I know that many children will be impacted by his faith, his passion, and his dream - a dream that was accomplished before he went to be with Jesus. PTL! Thanks for your prayers for his family, the school, and the church.

Please pray for the children's workers and kids at Tower Hill FMC. It will soon be time for our weekly kid's program to start. Pray for God's direction for the teachers, and Joyce (the director).

Pray for God's hand in all of our efforts to teach the kids in our community.

Thanks so much,
Kris

P.S. - In case you were wondering, here are my plans for the moment: Save for a car, find a full time job, pay off my student loans over the next three years (as apposed to 5.5), and simply follow God wherever He leads. Thanks for all your prayers. They are needed.

Christmas/Potage/Haiti

Hello Friends!

This is my first e-mail since Christmas time.  Thanks to all of you who prayed for the Christmas programs at Tower Hill.  In spite of some technical difficulties, they went very well.  I especially thought that the kids did a terrific job.

This week I tried my hand at making Potage (Canary Island Stew).  It was my first time to try the recipe that I got off of the Spain website and it turned out great!  It was like comfort food for me - especially since I haven't tasted it in over a year.  For those from the US who haven't had it, it's a lot like vegetable soup but seasoned differently.  It also has sweet potatoes, sausage, and chicken.  It wasn't my mom's favorite because it was different and a bit spicy.  However, I'll definitely make again sometime (perhaps with a little less black pepper).  As Rachel Ray would say, YUMO!

On a more serious note, the kids in my church had their latest Missions Alive! class this past study.  The topic was Haiti, so I had the kids write a note of hope for the missionaries and children of Haiti.  Those notes/cards will be sent to ICCM and then on to Haiti.  If the kids there can even get a little hope from the children in little old Tower Hill, Illinois, that's really cool.

My personal prayer for Haiti is that the kindness and generosity of the volunteer teams in Haiti will not go unnoticed - by God or the Haitians.  More so, I pray that as the Haitians take notice of what the volunteers are doing, the Haitian people will have open hearts and say, "Here we are, ready to here the message that God has given you."  Think about it.  So many Christian volunteers are going or planning to go to Haiti to offer help and hope.  How much water can they pour out onto the seeds that other missionaries have planted in the Haitian people.  That water can produce an exponential crop that will make the vision of the missionaries come true - "Haiti for Christ!"  May it be so Lord.  May it be so!

Continue to pray for the Tower Hill FMC kids as they study about missions once a month.  My the lessons come alive to the children and the hearts of the kids be open to wherever God is leading them.

In Him,

Kris

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A couple of weeks ago I would have felt weird saying that. The past year and almost two months that I have been home have gone by so fast, but now the season is upon us and I am very aware of it.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas stress is taking over as I think of finally going Christmas shopping this Friday, and having our two programs at church this Sunday.

The first program is in the morning as our adult choir presents a narrated contata - "Light of the World." The second is our children's musical - "Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior."

Please pray for Jesus to be lifted up in these programs and draw people unto Himself. Pray also that all goes smoothly - especially with the kids program (remembering lines, cues, motions, etc; those of us wrapping up last minute details). After the musical our new pastor (Rev. Bob Cannon) will give an invitation to kid's family members who don't know the Lord as their Savior. Then the adults and children have a song to sing together as we tie things up.

Yes! We have a new pastor. He's been here a couple of months now. Pastoral transitions are always a big adjustment, so pray for Pastor Bob, his wife (Mary Lu) and the congregation. Together as the church body seeks the Lord, working alongside the Pastor Bob and Mary Lu, we will move forward and see growth in many ways. PTL!

By the way, I've transitioned from teaching the Pre-K class to teaching a Pre-teen/Teen class. Right now I have but one student. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to give back some of what I received at this girl's age - love, encouragement and spiritual guidance.

I'm grateful that God is using me while I'm also in transition as far as a career goes - waiting for the next step in my career as a missionary. Then again, I'm a missionary right here - even if not by vocation. All Christians are. So, I have much to be thankful for.

May this season remind you all of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon you. Thanks for your many prayers!

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Kris

Long time, no speak.

Hello! It's been quite some time since my last post, and I've been busy.

I finally found a job. I'm working part-time as a cashier at the Wal-Mart across the road from where I live. It's a job where I get to serve the local community, learn more about being flexible, and influence all kinds of people as I check there purcheses. In other words, it's good preperation for the future.

Do I still believe that I'm called to mission work. Yes! I don't believe that God changes His mind, but He does have a purpose and timing for everything. All that He does is in preperation for the next step, and the next, and the next... He told me once that all will be revieled at its proper time, so I'm waiting on His timing for my future.

In the meen time, I'm continuing to volunteer with the children in my church. I'm teaching the Pre-K/Kindergarten Sunday School class, and teaching a missions lesson (Misisons Alive!) once a month during children's church. I'm also the children's music director and had a leadership role in our recent VBS.

We did Studio GO! Game Show VBS, and I led the music as well as the daily service projects. The service projects were my favorite part. It was hard work getting the kids attention, but they were faithful to do whatever was asked of them. The whole idea was to show them that service doesn't have to be the big stuff that we do. When we encourage others, listen to biblical instruction, care for the needs of others, and take the time to apreiciate the things that others do, we are serving. The kids even learned to serve by being quiet during story time so that everyone could hear the story. Can you imagine 29 kids being whisper quiet? They did it! They also got to sign little "serving feet" and add them to our service wall each day. That wall was full at the end of the five days. The kids were really excited about those feet!

Last week we had an excellent family camp in Cowden. Rev. Jerry Coates was our camp speaker, and Rev. Nick Clark led worship. It was great! The Holy Spirit was really working in the services. One man was delivered from over 20 years of demon-possession! Please pray that people would gather around and disciple him.

In other news, for those who haven't heard, our Pastor at Tower Hill retired. So, we are in a search for a new shepheard. The good news is that the Great Shepheard is still in control and has great plans for our church body. The Lord won't let us down because He still has work for us to do! Do pray for us, however - that we would have unity and harmony as we look to the future, and that we would trust the Lord.

I mentioned that I'm teaching the "Missions Alive!" curriculum. We're finishing our Africa study this Sunday with Ethiopia. Then it will be time to finish making our country posters and plan the public service in which we will share what we have learned. Please pray for God's hand in this. By the way, the kids, as well as adults, raised an offering to feed a hungry child in Rwanda. So far we have $465. That's enough money to feed 1 child for 1 year, and another child for 3 months. We could end up with enough for 2 kids for 2 years! PTL!

Keep all of the above in your prayers, along with my relationship with the Lord. Pray that I would continue to grow in the Lord, draw closer to Him, and be willing to do whatever He leads me to do.

Blessings to all in Christ,

Kris

Ready to Fly

As some of you already know, I will be flying out of Arrecife next Tuesday, the 28th of October.  I will  be flying to Madrid in order to spend a few days with the Hamleys and the Fajardos before I fly home on Friday, the 31st.

It's been quite a journey and now it's time to go back to the states.  Please pray for a safe journey and a blessed time in Madrid.  Also pray for me as I say goodbye to friends in Lanzarote and Madrid.  

In addition, keep praying for God's direction for my future and the future of the churches in Spain.

God bless all of you for your special prayers and support on my behalf, and on the behalf of the FM Church in Lanzarote.  You may never know how much your efforts for the sake of Christ are appreciated, nor the impact that they have had on others. 

Will any of us ever know the impact our presence has had on others in this life?  God knows, and that's what truly matters.

Thank you all for your presence in my life!

Much love and blessings in Christ,

Kris

'Gotta go to work.'

Recently, I asked a lot of you out there to pray that I would have more work to do.  Thanks for your prayers!  After, a long restful summer, I now have lots of work to do, along with the rest of Iglesia Emanuel.

This weekend, for example, the pastor is with the young people on a camping trip.  They are enjoying a bit of 'fun in the sun'  while Pastor Vito teaches them from God's word.

Also this weekend, the Thursday afternoon children's ministery changes to Saturday on account of the new school season.  This will be the same type of informal ministry that has been going on, however it doesn't take a fancy program to impact the lives of many children - just Christian people with open hearts willing to reach out.

In addition to the Saturday activities, there may also be a new 10 am SS class for children ages 1-11.  The pastor has asked that I assist with this ministry as well.

I will also be helping with the Saturday youth meetings after the children's ministry in the park.

So, please pray for all of the church leaders, myself, and all who will be willing to help with these important ministries.  Pray for kingdom impact, and that God would continue to teach His church more of His heart and how we can change the world for the sake of Christ.

Also pray for the Christian concert that is planned for next Friday in front of the 'Gran Hotel.'

Blessings,

Kris :) :)

A Cup of Cold Water

Over the past few weeks, at the Spirits leading, Iglesia Emanuel has been returning to the same park were our summer VBS program was held in order to continue ministering to the kids.

It started with a simple mandate from one of the leaders of the church - that we would go to these children, who are still at the park each day, and offer them no more than a cup of cold water.  So, a handful of folks from the church have gone to the park on Thursday afternoons offering the kids some games, a Bible story, a scripture verse and, of course, water.

During this time, two of the men in the church have been playing a game of soccer with the older boys in the park.  That has opened the door to a new ministry for the church.  Each wednesday these men are going to the sports center in order to form youth soccer teams for boys ages 11-15.

Please pray for these men, Manolo and Moisés, as they make contacts and work with these young boys.  They´ve been taking down names each week for their roster.  Pray that this list of names would become a list of boys who are filled with the Holy Spirit and reaching out to others - including their families - in the name of Jesus!

Continue to pray also for the fall outreach coming soon, and for all of the planning. 

PTL!  He´s AWESOME!  HIS works never fail!

Blessings,

Kris

Another New Start

Well friends, it took a little while, but with the help of church friends I was able to move to a new apartment - one that is much less expensive and closer to the church

It´s a tiny, rooftop apartment, but after a recent prayer walk the Lord gave me these verses: (Prov. 25: 24-25) "Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.  Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."

Talk about perspective!  I have much to thank the Lord for!  He´s brought me through a lot, and I need to share His "good news" with my new neighbours.

Pray with me in this regard - that I would find ways to reach my neighbors for Christ.  I´ve already met a couple of nice ladies.  I hope to meet more folks as I go on more prayer walks.  Care to join me?  You could take a prayer walk in your community and pray for mine - Argana Baja - at the same time.

Thanks so much!

Kris

P.S. - Although my new place is less expensive, I still need more financial help.  You can give through my blog, www.krisanne.typepad.com.  Thank you very much!

P.S.S. - PTL!  My new place has a washing machine!  No more washing clothes by hand!  PTL!

Summer Evangelism

WOW!  It's hot here!  How's the weather where you are, folks?

No matter.  We're having a great time with the children this week.  As you all have been praying, the children of Argana Alta, Arrecife, Lanzarote have been having a great time singing, playing games, listening to inspiring stories, and learing a lot about God at ''Rancho Avalancha.''

Leonor (pictured here in front), along with her young friends, has done a great job of teaching the children what it means to ''follow our leader,'' (God) as they sing and play the exciting VBS songs.

The children have also enjoyed the ministry of our Dominican brother, Radamés.  In fact, last night he gave an altar call and many children went forward! 

Please keep praying.  God is answering!  We'll be at the church building tomorrow night.  Pray that many will come out.  Also pray for the Saturday event which takes place in the center of Arrecife across from the post office.  God is moving!  PTL!

Saharra Desert in Lanzarote?

Friends, did you know that you don´t have to visit Northern Africa in order to see the Saharra Desert?  Come to the Canary Islands and the desert will come to you!  It´s true.  I´ve seen it for myself!

Actually, they call this phenomenon "la calima,"  and it happens when the Saharra Desert gets stirred up so much that the east winds blow the sand onto the islands.  The reason that we are affected is that we are in such close proximity to Northern Afirica - closer than to Spain.  I´ve personally thought of taking up a collection to show some kids back home.  "Look, the Saharra Desert!  And I went to Lanzarote!

The bad part is that it makes everything very dirty and it can also make normally beautiful mountain views almost invisible.

While no one likes the affects of "la calima," many desire to learn English.  Please continue to pray for my ESL classes.  I now have a class on Wednesday in which I teach five adults.  PTL that one of them already had the curriculum for the class - a complete course!  Pray that God will use this class as an opportunity for me to be a witness for Him.

Bessings,

Kris