The Vrugginks in Asia
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Vision
  • Ministry
  • Giving
  • Organizations
  • Newsletters
  • Connect with Us

November 28th, 2015

11/28/2015

 
Hannah Banana is crawling like a boss!  So blessed to be this cutie's mama! :)

2015 Thanksgiving Letter

11/24/2015

 
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
Psalms 107:1

Picture
Dear Family & Friends,
 
Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so thankful for God’s abundant goodness to our family over this past year.  God has blessed our family in so many ways, and we praise Him for all the gifts He has given us!

The most precious blessing we received arrived at the beginning of the year in the middle of the worst snow storm of the winter.  Hannah Grace Vruggink arrived at
3:27 AM on Friday, January 9th weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 19.5 in. long.  She is 10-months-old now and has started to crawl end enjoys exploring her little world.  She loves to smile and cuddle with anyone.  She adores her siblings and graciously allows them to carry her around the house and involve her in all their adventures.  Hannah is such a gift!
Picture
We are grateful our older three children are also doing well!  Christian is 8-years-old.  He continues to amaze us with his amazing intellect and is currently writing his own adventure novel.  He loves playing strategy games, reading, and spending time with friends.  Abbie is 6-years-old.  She loves Jesus and is passionate about sharing Him with others.  She loves coloring/painting, playing with friends, and taking care of her baby sister.  Isaac is 2-years-old and loves exploring, watching tractors/construction equipment, and playing his little guitar.

Our second most exciting announcement is that this summer we were officially appointed missionaries with ABWE!  Over the past few months we have been meeting with churches and individuals to share our passion for training leaders in Asia!  We truly believe that when Asian leaders are equipped with a strong theological foundation they will empower their churches to share the gospel and God’s kingdom will expand in Asia.  We’re blessed that we already have 15 committed financial partners and 14% of our monthly committed support raised.  We will be going on a trip to Singapore and Thailand January 20-30, 2016 to determine which city we will be based in while serving in Asia.  Through God’s people Jehovah Jireh provided the funds for this trip in just six weeks!  It has been amazing to see God providing for our family’s ministry!
Picture
If you’re interested in keeping updated about our ministry, please sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter by going to vrugginks.com/newsletters  We would be honored if you would keep up with us and pray for our ministry!
 
We are so thankful for our amazing God who continues to bless us with the grace we need to serve Him.  We hope you have a wonderful time of Thanksgiving with your family and friends this special week as we reflect on the many blessings He has given us and joyfully welcome the holiday season!
 
Love Always,
Greg & Rachel Vruggink

Two Year Old Rocker

11/6/2015

 
Today Greg gave Isaac a little ukulele. All day long he's been playing his "guitar" and singing. I just noticed his little thumb has a blister - that's pretty hard core rocking for only being two!
Picture
Picture

Will Daddy Come Home?

11/2/2015

 
Today was "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church."  All day long my mind has been thinking about a conversation I had with Christian a few weeks ago.  
 
One Sunday morning while Greg and I were setting up our missionary display table at a church in Indiana, Christian noticed a large Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Map posted on the church lobby wall.  I saw my 8-year-old son walk over to the map and begin studying it.  The VOM prayer map has two categories: Red Restricted Nations and Yellow Hostile Areas, and the bottom of the map describes the type of persecution that takes place in these countries.
Picture
As Christian read the descriptions he became agitated and immediately ran up to me in a panic.

"Mom!  Mom!  Did you know that some of the countries Dad will be traveling to when we live in Asia are red countries?!?  Did you know that in those countries Christians can go to prison or be killed because they’re Christians?!?  Is Dad going to go to prison for teaching people about the Bible?!?"
 
As I looked in the eyes of my precious son I saw so much fear.  Fear that the Dad he loved so much might not come home one day.  I gave Christian a hug and comforted his fearful little heart.

“Oh sweetheart don’t worry!  Daddy is an American so even if they find him teaching in countries where he's not allowed to do that then the worst that will probably happen to him is that he’ll be forced to leave the country and won’t be allowed to come back.  They won’t put Daddy into jail for a long time or hurt him.”
 
“Whew…oh good!” Christian said with a relieved smile and then he immediately wandered off to find his sister to play with before Sunday school began.
 
Today I keep thinking about that conversation I had with Christian because so many mothers in the world can not offer their children the same consolation that I gave to my son.  They can’t assure their children that Daddy won’t go to prison or be killed today for following Jesus Christ.  Hardship and danger is a daily part of their life because they profess faith in Jesus Christ.  Every day some father's don't come home due to their commitment to following Jesus Christ.
 
Hebrews 13:3 says, "Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." 

As Americans it’s hard for us to grasp the sacrifices families make in these restricted nations, but it's also important for us to mentally put ourselves in their shoes and remember their pain.
 
Will you join with me this week in praying for the persecuted church?

    Have these blog posts emailed to you! Enter your email address below and click “Submit”:

    Archives

    August 2024
    January 2024
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    March 2020
    November 2019
    November 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010