Missions Missions Missions

"The Purpose of Missions is teach people to Worship Jesus. Missions Exists because Worship Doesn't. There is no Missions in Heaven! Worship should be a never ending, internal way of living. Our singing, our music, our instruments, our art, our writing, our prayers, our posturing, they are all outward manifestations of a constant inward, personal, praise to God."

My brief story:

I was adopted by short-term Missionaries working under Wycliffe Bible Translators in Ecuador S. America in 1975. My "Aunt and Uncle" who had been living there since the 1950's continue to this day to work part-time with Wycliffe and SIL (Linguistic Institute in Texas). Missions is a very important part of my life. Most importantly however, is not the fact that I was "rescued" from a very uncertain, poverty stricken life and literally saved from malnutritioin, neglect and death, but that I came to know Jesus as my savior. The realization at age 22 that God loved me so much, so specifically, so individually, so deliberately that he went to so much trouble and saved me in such a dramatic way JUST so I could have relationship with Him and know Jesus- blew my mind! He instilled in me since I was 15 years old and went on my first Mission Trip to Mexico with my youth group a strong desire to be sent out. A hunger and longing to show other kids like me, that Jesus also loved them so deliberately etc... He instilled in me a burden and an urgency for others to know Jesus so that they too might have eternal life with him in Heaven, and not perish. He gave me a love for people, that is only from God, an ability to love the unlovable. He gave me a servants heart. A desire to reach people through Acts of Service and sacrifice. To SHOW them Gods love, not just say it. To be like Jesus is the passion of my heart and life. This is the legacy I am passing on to my own children. They dont even realize at this phase of their life, how much Missions has played a role in their very existance. But I can assure you they will.

SO What does this mean to you???? Why should you care??

This SUMMER 2009!!! Members My family will have an opportunity in one form or another to be sent out! Maryn and Kylie will be going to YWAM's Gleanings for the Hungry in Sultana CA. Aug. 14-24th. Watch the amazing video below to hear what they will be doing! They willbe working hard and learning to serve, and grow in their personal relationship with Christ.

I myself am leading a team of 12-15 women to Ecuador S. America, June 21st - July 2nd under International Teams Youth World. We will be working in a Hospital or Orphanage. More information will be coming to you via snail mail... but I wanted to plant these seeds into your heart. Please consider how you might be able to contribute in spreading Gods Love to the World. Regardless of your religious affiliation you would be literally helping to feed the hungry and minister to the sick & broken.

The girls and I need to raise a total (that is for all 3 of us to go on our respective Missions trips) of $3,600. Thats $400 for Maryn, $400 for Kylie, and $2,800 for Me.

As I said you will get more information via snail mail... in the meantime watch the video of Gleanings



and visit the Youth World Website at http://www.youthworld.org.ec/

Thank you in advance so much for your support and prayers!


(Tax Deductible Contributions can be made payable to Praise Covenant Church 3501 S. Orchard St Tacoma WA 98466 (253) 564-8563 Please Note on the Memo Line Either WM Ecuador 2009 OR GLEANINGS Include a sticky note with Mia Powell or Maryn or Kylie Powell so we can receive proper credit and keep track of when we have reached our goal! Thanks.)

Soo I have this friend...

I've known him since about 1st or 2nd grade. He is a professional photographer. He never shoots kids! But as a personal favor to me, he did an entire portfolio of my children. Over 300 + pics were taken and I am only sharing with you a handful. We were at the zoo for about 3 hours. I guess this is kind of like photo journalism.... but really its just ART if you ask me. He also does not "do" events. He primarily shoots fine art, nudes, still life etc... but some of his work has been featured in photog circles and magazines, galleries etc... I am/feel completely honored to have some original "D. Manny" prints. Now you can enjoy them also. I think these pics are amazing, they are all candid shots. The kids just did their thing and he snapped away! Fantastic.

Just a few more... by D. Manny 8/27/08

At the Zoo Aug. 27th 2008 by D. Manny

Cabo San Lucas Mexico

*We did a glass bottom boat tour where the bottom center of the boat is literally made of glass so you can see to the fishies. We did a tour of the Arch and the rock formation that is the southern most tip of Baja California Mexico and saw a colony of Seals barking at us and waves that were 2 and 3 stories tall.. magnificent. Its literally where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

* We went snorkeling on a catamaran that included lunch etc.. the water was so clear, visibility was to 20 feet and there were a ton of beautiful fishies and rocks etc... the water temp was 87!!! This was on the Sea of Cortez side of Baja

*Our last night there we went on a Yacht-like Catamaran (Largest in all of Mexico and one of the largest in the world) for a Sunset dinner cruise... it was fabulous. So beautiful out there in the Pacific Ocean.

*We also ate at some great restaurants and visited a public beach so we could swim in the Ocean ! The water was strong and green and beautiful as were the white sandy beaches. (most beaches pacific side where we were, are considered un-swimmable and people are forbidden to enter the water because it is so dangerous)

* And finally on "off" days we hung out at the pool and drank pina colada's. :o) We were very relaxed and really enjoyed ourselves. Can't wait to go back some day!

In brief....

Allyson is such a big girl!












Josh is so "cool"-he's been hanging out with College guys too much.


















Maryn is growing up so fast!





Kylie is beautiful. These pictures were taken on a typical Friday night with the College Group!








Well, I figure another season has passed so its time to update this little blog of mine.

*Jack is still working at Free&Clear although not quite as happy as he once was. He is getting kind of an itch to move on. Please be in prayer about this with us, as most of you know, working someplace you dread going to, is hard and yet we need the income! He continues to be a H.S./College age Youth Leader, and will be chaperoning the Summer Camp in August. In September he will be going on a Carribean cruise with some of the College age guys for a boys' vacation. (I figure I went to Puerto Rico with just me and My friend Randi in 2004 so he deserves it.)

*I continue to work at Praise Covenant Church and am loving it. We recently merged with another Covenant Church on the East side of Tacoma, and so I have working along side their childrens ministry department and womens ministry department.. that has been fun. I am leading a team of about 12 women age 18-70 to Ecuador South America in June of 2009 under International Teams. We begin training in August. I am also on Weight Watchers with my God-sister Corrie. I am having tremendous success, however it is very, very hard. So please be praying with me about that.
Jack and I together are heading to Cabo San Lucas Mexico Aug. 1-8. We cant wait!! Some time alone, to relax and reconnect and be renewed. This made possible by a dear friend who loaned us her time-share at a 5 star resort for virtually no money! Thanks Susan!!

*Maryn finished 7th grade finally, and did exceptionally well. She not only received straight A's but was in a few 9th grade classes, and will be in 10th grade classes begining in the fall. When I was signing her up for her classes, the guidance counselor told me at the rate she is going, she will have 7 H.S. credits under her belt when she begins 10th grade! Maryns plan as of now, is to do "Running Start" (College in H.S.) which will let her graduate with her A.A. She then plans to attend University Of WA Tacoma, and get her B.A. in Criminal Justice, then attend the Police Academy through the City of Tacoma (she hopes) to eventually become a Criminal Investigator/Detective. She's young yet I know, and I realize this may change. However it is ther first thing she has ever decided on, and it took her about 5 years to finally answer the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" so I know for now, she is pretty serious. She also has herself a little summer job, babysitting for a friend of ours once a week. (3 boys-5 & under). She will also be buckling down and preparing for her trip to WA D.C. in October.

*Kylie will be in 6th grade in the fall at Ellk Plain School of Choice. She did well this last semester there, and we are also encouraging her again to sing! If any of you did not get the sample of Kylie singing Phantom of the Opera let me know, and I will e-mail it to you. She is 12... but small for her age. It runs in the family poor kid. She is the light of our lives, and such a joy to us.

*Joshua excelled again in school, and finishes softball having received the "Most Valuable Player" award. Not so much for her ability to play well, but his attitude! He really is a nice boy most of the time, and we are very proud of him.

*Allyson was moved on to first grade, and we are hoping to get her into Elk Plain as well. She did NOT pass Kindergarten, as her affinity for art and drawing are too distracting for her to learn. She is also very strong willed and has no desire. She says learning to read and write are boring. She would much rather be acting, singing and drawing. With her in 1st grade, I will finally have all 4 kids in school ALL day.. a moment I have been waiting for, for nearly 14 years! Halelujah. This also means I can begin an excercise regimen -which I have put off-to aid in my weight loss !
Well, thats all I can think of for now.. work, school, kids, upcoming trips... thanks for reading.

It's been quite awhile since I have posted. I thought I better update everyone on the goings on of our little family.

Jack is still working at Free & Clear and recently got a raise! Woo-hoo. He is also on leadership for the Youth/College Group at church. We still have the college group over every weekend. What a joy! But they definitely make us feel old. Jack is admired and respected by the group and I am so proud of how far he has come in the last 3 years, He is an amazing and Godly man whom I adore.

I am still on staff at Praise Covenant Church and loving every minute of it. Recently our church merged with another covenant church in Tacoma called Harvard. So we have 2 campuses now. God is so amazing. What an exciting time to be in ministry. I am leading a team of Women to Ecuador S. America in the Spring of '09, so I am currently getting my team together and we will begin training in the fall.

Maryn is a straight A student, and has been invited to attend a People to People World Leadership Forum in WA D.C. this is a huge honor, and requires quite the academic and extra-curricular achievements. She has worked very hard. She is also on the softball team at Spanaway Jr. High and recently turned 13! Phew.

Kylie is still singing.. albeit only for us. She is enrolled at Elk Plain School of Choice in Spanaway which is a "School of the Arts" its perfect for her, and really teaches to her specific learning style. She has grown leaps and bounds since being there.

Joshua is also playing softball this spring, and he is also excelling in school. He is such a sweet little gentlemen and we are so proud. Please keep praying that he stays that way!

Allyson, is a lot like Kylie. She is struggling in school because she is an artist and has no desire at this point to learn any academics. So she is on the waiting list for Elk Plain to begin 1st grade in the Fall. Pray she gets in, because I think she will also excel there, and if we can prevent her from having any of the issues that Kylie had... it would be wonderful. In the mean-time we cant get her to stop drawing! She is an amazing artist-even her teacher says so, but it interferes with her social life, and learning.

The house is always a work in progress. There is so much to do as a home-owner. Who knew? I love it here. Its been 1 year believe it or not. And I thank God every-day for the blessing. We know it was his timing with the "realty market" falling the way it did. We thank God in this recession (yes I dared call it that) for employment and a home and healthy children.

Please write us and let us know whats going on in your neck of the world.