First Day of School 2011.

Haylee started High School and Jackson started 7th Grade today!

Please join us in praying for Jackson and Haylee as they once again adjust to new schools and new friends. As children of missionaries, they did not choose their lot. They have accompanied their parents as we answered God's call. They have been forced into situations that most children never face. They face problems many of us never consider. However, they have handled all of this so well. That is due, in large part, to the many of you who pray for them.

Here are some specific prayer requests that you can use as you pray:

• Pray for our family to stay strong spiritually. Pray for Jeff and Liesa to be aware of the spiritual needs of our children.
• Pray that Haylee and Jackson would establish their own spiritual lives. Pray for them to continually be aware of their need for a personal walk with God-- to really know Him, not just learn about Him.
• Pray that Haylee and Jackson would be filled with the Holy Spirit each day. Pray that He would guide their thoughts and decisions.
• Pray that Haylee and Jackson would have a hunger for God's Word and a love for His church.
• Pray that Jackson and Haylee would have thankful hearts for all of their blessings.
• Pray that Jackson and Haylee would be able to handle the temptations and influences that they will encounter each day.
• Pray for victory over feelings of loneliness that children of missionaries often experience. Pray that godly adult mentors would invest in them and be able to discuss their problems, fears, doubts, and confusion.
• Pray for Haylee and Jackson's education. Pray that they would learn well and excel in school.

Thank you for your investment in our family. We are so grateful for you.

3 August 2011 Update!

While Jeff and Haylee have been at camp and Africa, Liesa and Jackson have had fun playing in the sun and spending time with friends and family. One thing Jackson has missed most about being in the States is riding his bike. We are living in the neighborhood where I grew up and Jackson has been enjoying his freedom to explore the neighborhood on his bike. Two of his best friends from Oxford, Evan Moore and Joshua Morgan, came to town and he took them riding around the neighborhood. If you are in the Jackson, MS area we expect you to come see us! He also had a chance to go bike riding in Oxford one afternoon with Austin Carter. Many hours have also been spent swimming with the cousins.

Another highlight was a middle school trip Jackson and I took with First Baptist Oxford to Stone Mountain, GA. Did I just say middle school? He is officially a seventh grader. We had a great time going to the Coca Cola Museum, The Varsity Drive-In Restaurant, and Stone Mountain Park. There is a ropes course at Stone Mountain that is pretty cool. The highest point is 36 feet. Jackson started the course with Liesa (who is afraid of heights), but quickly moved on ahead and continued on the course leaving her behind. He was the second one to finish. He was kind enough, however, to return for a second climb and help his mother finish the course. We also climbed a rock wall and yes Liesa made it to the top. Liesa taught several of the kids on the trip in pre-school choir and several moms on the trip taught with her. What fun to hang out with these awesome friends.

Many people have asked me if I (Liesa) miss Peru. My response is the same as it was when we went we left the States and people asked the same question. Obviously, we miss our favorite activities and foods when we leave a place where we live for a time. Peru is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. But the thing I always miss the most is the people that you build relationships with. I have come to understand the importance of investing in the lives of those God puts in our path for however long that time is. The hardest part of leaving Costa Rica and Peru was saying good bye to friends not knowing when you’ll see each other again. The best part of returning to the States is seeing special friends that you haven’t seen in a while. This past month has been that kind of month. Connecting with those special friends and family that are so dear to my heart. I look forward to connecting with more of you during our time here in the States.

2 August 2011 Update!

Hello friends,

Thank you so much to those of you who pray on our behalf. We are blessed to have a huge group of prayer amigos who not only love us but are so faithful in their prayer support. Thank you.

As most of you know, we're on stateside assignment here in Mississippi. Stateside assignment is a time of reconnecting and renewal that Southern Baptists provide their missionaries who are employed through the International Mission Board. We have enjoyed our time 'off the international mission field' very much. I think we were much more spiritually drained and in need of some relief than we realized. It's not that missionary work is any more difficult than any other ministry assignment. But, when you combine a God-sized task, done in a different culture, with some serious opposition by the Enemy, things can wear you down. If we had not had the support of a tremendous team and friends while serving in South America, we're not sure if we could have survived as happy campers.

This week I (Jeff) have been studying the words of Christ in Matthew 11, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you find rest for your souls."

Yielding to a yoke of any kind is not in our nature, is it? However, everyone who has breath has yielded to a 'yoke' of some kind. The 'yoke' of sin comes in a variety of weights: materialism, legalism, individualism. But, the yoke of Jesus is 'easy and the burden is light.' When the Enemy tries to convince you that the yoke of Jesus is too heavy or too restrictive take a look at the yoke you are currently yielded to. How's that workin' for ya? Are the things you are pursuing in your life eternal? Is your life 'abundant'? (John 10:10) If I am not careful I discretely slip out of Jesus' yoke and replace it with the yoke of independence and self-management. Do you do that?

When I have tried to obey Jesus without first depending on Him through faith, I have found that His yoke just will not fit. I call it the 'BIG HEAD' problem. You've heard the comment, 'He's got the big head.' Obviously it means that someone thinks they're more important than they really are. They think they know it all. If I think I know it all, have it all together, can do life on my own, then that is not faith in Jesus. That is faith in me. Idolatry. Worshiping my abilities. Recipe for disaster. The yoke of Jesus comes off much easier than it goes on.

Missionaries are prone to slipping out of Jesus' yoke. Everybody is telling us how great we are. Everybody is telling us we're their heroes. Everybody is putting their stamp of approval on our lives. It's almost as if I'm an athlete playing for an SEC Football School except the score is not broadcast every Saturday night on Sportscenter. I have more Romans 7:15 days than Matthew 25:34 days. The reason is because Jesus doesn't clamp his yoke around my neck tightly. It's my choice to follow Him.

Our Savior is a Teacher, not a taskmaster. The Enemy wants me to believe that God is a taskmaster and that God wants to see how much of a burden I can bear. However, Jesus is my burden bearer. He's my freedom giver. The yoke of Jesus is a life-giving promise. Only He is sufficient. I am most free when I am most submitted to Him.

Togo West Africa.

Haylee and Jeff went to Togo West Africa to work with kids in poverty and to help begin construction on a hospital in an area of desperate need. Enjoy the video...

Memories from Peru.

26 July 2011 Update!

Hola amigos!

It's been a while since we updated you on all of the great things going on with our crew. July has been a busy month and God has been really good to us in many, many ways. Basically, Jeff and Haylee have spent the past three weeks together and Liesa and Jackson have done the same.

Liesa and Jackson have had some wonderful adventures this month: Swimming. Sleeping late. Meeting new friends. Spending time with the family. Heading to Atlanta/Stone Mountain with some friends from home. Riding the bike around the new neighborhood here in Brandon, Mississippi. Tons of fun.

Jeff and Haylee spent a week at Super Summer Mississippi on July 9 to 15 at Mississippi College. Super Summer is a Leadership/Discipleship/Evangelism Training Conference for high school students and is one of the MAJOR things that Jeff has missed from the USA during the past four years. Haylee attended Super Summer as a student and Jeff was able to serve again as a part of the Executive Staff...his 12th year to do this. It was a tremendous week and God taught us so many things.

On July 15, Haylee and Jeff rushed to catch up with a group from Oxford who were headed to Togo, West Africa. The experience of serving the Lord as part of a team of volunteers was a special one. It was good to NOT be the leader of the team or the missionary-in-charge or having to worry about fitting in to a particular organizational strategy. We could just simply relax and minister to the precious people around us. Haylee was involved in children's ministry. Jeff was a part of a construction team building a hospital in an area of severe poverty in West Africa. God was good to use us and remind us of how important it is to minister to those who feel they have no hope.

Jeff and Liesa have a few days left before beginning to serve as missionaries-in-residence at Mississippi College. We are so excited about working with students in a variety of ways. Please pray for us as we serve in this ministry opportunity.

Haylee and Jackson are nervous and excited about beginning school here in Brandon. Jackson will be in 7th grade at Brandon Middle School and Haylee will be in 9th grade at Brandon High School. Please pray for their adjustment to a new school and new friends.

We are grateful for your prayers. We'd love to have you come to Brandon, MS and see us. If you're in the 'hood, please let us know.

Blessings!

Jeff, Liesa, Haylee, and Jackson

A letter from Haylee.

Haylee presented this letter to us last week. We wanted to share it with you.

Mom and Dad,

Thanks for all yall have done for me. I love you guys so much. Thank you for following God and obeying Him by being missionaries. It's been a lot of fun for me to live in another country and make new friends. I know that you care about me and Jackson and want the best thing for us, and even though we don't always appreciate what all you do for us, know that we are grateful. I love that we, as a family, can all be together and have fun just by talking. I've gotten to do some pretty amazing things in my lifetime and it's all because you chose to follow God and do His will. Because of you, I have become a better Christian and you have taught me so many things about obeying God's will. I really do love yall and I hope we have as much fun in Mexico as we did in Peru. Thank you for all that you do for me.

From your daughter,

Haylee Holeman

Would you join us in praising God for a wonderful daughter and son who early in life understand OBEDIENCE to God's will? What a blessing.

2 July 2011 Update!

God is faithful. That is all we can say as we celebrate what He has done over the past (almost) 4 years as we have served as missionaries. We have failed many times but He has not. We have been impatient but He has not. We have been unsure of things but He has not. Thank you so much to those of you who pray for us. As we finish this term of service as cross-cultural missionaries we know that you were a key component. You can celebrate knowing that you are a part of the the work God has done through us.

These past two weeks have been a busy blur. After a quick trip up the Amazon River to visit with some student missionaries, Jeff returned to Lima and we began the process of packing up the house. Here's what we've been up to:

• The mover's arrived on June 21 to pack things up and all of our earthly belongs were loaded on a truck on June 22. We 'camped out' on cots and sleeping bags for the rest of that week.
• On June 23, our teammates celebrated 2 1/2 great years of ministry in Peru, Bolvia, and Ecuador.
• On June 24, Haylee and Jackson racked up some great accolades at Awards Day at school. We had one last dinner with the Pennington's and Bredbenner's and headed off to the airport.
• June 25. We arrived in Brandon, MS and moved in the VERY NICE missionary home of Crossgates Baptist Church. We have been SO blessed by this great church.
• June 26. Fantastic worship at Crossgates and went to see CARS 2 with the McMinn's (Liesa's sister.) We also picked up a vehicle from Mr. W.C. Young from The Macedonian Call Foundation that we can use during our time in the USA.
• June 27. Got on a plane and flew to Richmond, VA to the International Learning Center for 5 days of wonderful fellowship with other missionaries from around the globe. This was a great week of fun and meetings.
• July 2. We drove to Washington, D.C. and we're here for the weekend with my mom and my brother and his family.

We'll return to Mississippi on July 5 and hopefully will get to see more of our family and friends in Mississippi. Thank you for your prayers! We want to see all of you soon!

On a Mission to Hold a Hand.

Jesus decided that He must go hold her hand. This was the task before Him.

That was Jesus' response to the pleading of Jairus (Mark 5) who insisted that Jesus must come and heal his sick daughter. And, fortunately, when Jesus decides to do something He follows through. This is great news for a cross-cultural missionary.

But it was not easy for Jesus to hold her hand. Many times it is not easy for a missionary to follow through on his/her assigned task. Some things get in the way.

There was the issue of the crowd. They were there with open hands wanting Jesus to 'bless' them. Missionaries are met with the open hands, too. 'We can do the work if you pay for it.' 'We can't have a church unless you build us a building.' 'We want ____.' Sometimes, the needs of the crowds are overwhelming. Did Jesus get as frustrated with these people as I do sometimes? Did Jesus EVER get a visit from a national partner simply to ask, 'Hey, how are you doing?' instead of asking for a 'blessing' every time? I'm sure focusing on the mission to hold a hand kept him sane.

There was also the issue of the bleeding woman. Unfortunately, she had been tossed in with the crowd and her deep faith and deep need were hidden. Do I miss legitimate needs by focusing on THE CROWD and not THE PEOPLE in the crowd? I'm sure I do. This bleeding woman was relentless; pushing her way to Jesus, pushing her way to abundant life and with a touch of hope her body was healed.

Jesus knows everything. He knew what had happened. But ministry is not complete until a personal touch is given. The woman, although frightened, knew this, too. She came to Jesus and heard some incredible words: 'Daughter.' 'Peace.' 'Suffering is over.' When will I treat every person Jesus puts in my path as a daughter or a son? Jesus knew that the physical healing was temporary but the spiritual healing He gave to the bleeding woman that day would last forever. Her spirit would bleed no more because of her faith. Lord, help me to always look beyond the physical needs to the spiritual needs.

There was the issue of the messengers. The messengers brought the news that Jairus' daughter had died. But, Jesus already had before him the task to hold her hand. The messengers' news was not a deterrent for Jesus. He knew the God who had called Him to this task was aware of this development BEFORE the assignment was given. The Father is never caught by surprise. Jesus' response to the news was Faith. And, he told Jairus, 'Just have Faith.' Missionaries with no Faith will Fizzle before the Finish. Lord, help me to keep my eyes on the task you have given me and to do so with a heart full of faith.

And, there was the issue of the weepers and wailers. These folks are sincere. They either love the little girl or they are a part Jairus' family or both. They have an investment in this. Their heart is in the right place it seems. 'She's only asleep,' Jesus says. They laughed. They lost their opportunity to see Jesus work with a simple, faithless laugh.

They might have said, 'Your strategy won't work here, you don't know the problems, your presence here is making things worse.' As a missionary, I've heard all of those things (from other missionaries who can weep and wail with the best of 'em.). Lord, help me to remember that if you have called me to a task that You will be faithful.

Jesus entered the room. The hand He had come to hold was small and sweet. He took her hand and spoke the words, 'Little girl, get up.' The task was complete. A life was restored. A family was blessed. The Father was glorified. The weepers and wailers were silenced. The messengers began looking for another message. The heart of the formerly bleeding woman smiled upon hearing the news. The crowd made plans for the next event.

There are so many lessons here for those of us who serve as cross-cultural missionaries. The most important lesson for me is obedience. An important key to fulfillment in ministry is obedience. Jesus demonstrated that over and over again. There are many weapons the enemy uses to cause us to take our eyes off the task: the crowd, the messengers, the weepers, and wailers.

We have a calling to hold a hand, to share a word, to train leaders, to proclaim a Gospel of hope. Lord, keep my eyes focused on you and the task you have called me to complete.

Father's Day at Church.

Haylee sang a song in 'English' in church on Father's day!

17 June 2011 Update!

Greetings from Peru!

The Lord is up to some great things here. Over the past few weeks we have seen the Father bring so many new people into His Kingdom. Peruvians from different people groups have been baptized. We've worked alongside some wonderfully talented USA partners from numerous Southern Baptist churches. We've seen new Bible studies started that will, we pray, soon become strong churches. Our teammates report great success in their work as well. If you are praying, then you are a part of the work. Thank you for all you do!

Only 7 more days and we'll be in the Great State of Mississippi for our Stateside Assignment. What is Stateside Assignment you may ask? Stateside Assignment is a time that missionaries can take advantage of after serving a certain length of time outside of the USA. For us, our stateside assignment will begin on June 25, 2011. We are currently planning to be in the USA until January 5, 2011. While on stateside assignment, we'll be serving at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS as missionaries-in-residence. They will put us in a cage in the middle of campus and students can come and see what 'real, live missionaries' look like. No, not really. We'll be available in a variety of ways to counsel students and faculty/staff considering involvement in missions and we'll be ministering to the large group of international students on the campus of MC. And, then there's the 'other duties as assigned' clause in the job description.

While in the USA for stateside assignment we'll be living in a home provided for us by Liesa's home church: Crossgates Baptist Church. We are excited about being a part of this church (they speak English, you know) and the kids are excited about being a part of the student ministry there. And, we're looking forward to chill-laxing a little bit. And, of course we'll be witnessing the Return to Dominance of Ole MIss Football this fall.

Haylee and Jackson will be attending the public schools in Brandon, MS and they are excited and nervous about that. Fortunately, they still have memories of 'big' school before we came to the mission field. So, they have lots of good memories. And, we've already been to the schools and met some of the folks there.

This will be a busy week as we pack up our furniture for storage here in Peru. We'll also be saying some 'see you later's' to some really, really special folks. So, you can see, we're experiencing excitement and sadness at the same time.

We've had a busy couple of weeks with Jeff working in Bolivia and a quick trip on the Amazon River to find Courtney Hunter. Courtney Hunter has been a part of our lives for almost 14 years. She was a little 7 or 8 year old girl when we first met her in Oxford, MS. Now, she's a grown, gospel- carrying, jungle-hopping missionary leading a team from her Southwest Baptist University. To say we are proud of her is a HUGE understatement. She is everything you can imagine and more. She's a wonderful follower of Jesus.

Liesa has been busy getting things ready for our departure and also helping with some last minute things for mission teams. It is time for Liesa to have a little break from keeping all of these mission teams on the right track. Hopefully, some time relaxing by a pool somewhere is in her near future.

Our next report will be from Mississippi. If you're in the area, holla.

Jeff, Liesa, Haylee, and Jackson Holeman

Good News from the Jungle!

News from our teammates, Jeremy and Crystal Nelson:

Humble Area First Baptist Church, TX made a video of their March 2011 trip. They provided leadership for a leadership development/training as well as an eye clinic. It was a really amazing trip and I'm so glad they put together a video of some of those moments. Jeremy Nelson and the team were able to begin some solid Biblical teaching with believers, pass out Bibles in URARINA!!, have a Urarina pastor baptize someone for the first time and much more! Praise the Lord for what he is doing among the Urarina.

7 June 2011 Update.

What is the highest and best use of your life? Find out and go do it.

Jeff read the above statement a couple of days ago on a website of one of his favorite missionary authors. He was reminded of a verse he adopted as his own 'highest and best purpose' when he was a student at Ole Miss:

2 Timothy 2:2

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Jeff has been in another South American country this week spending time with some of our missionary colleagues that we are blessed to serve in our role as team leaders. It has been a joy to hear their stories of what God has done and how God has used them to make His Name known. The stories of their faithfulness through challenging days has blessed us greatly. We have been humbled just being known as their friends and someone whom they trust. These past four years have certainly been the 'highest and best' use of our lives.

As we complete this term as missionaries here in South America we look back at an amazing journey full of incredible stories of how God has been faithful. He has been so faithful to send us so many of you out there who pray for us. We can never thank you enough. We owe you a huge debt.

We are committed to following the Lord's 'highest and best' calling on our lives. We ask that you would continue to pray for clarity in our understanding of how we can best serve our Lord. Pray that we will continue to find trustworthy people to teach so that they will teach others. Thank you for your partnership with us as you 'hold the rope.'

Student Ministry is still in our blood...

Please pray for the following student teams that were sent out this week...

Not pictured: Javier (translator) and Aracelli (translator)

Not pictured: Vladimir (translator)

Not pictured: Noime (translator) and Humberta (translator)

Not pictured: Gladys aka Mama G (translator)

Join the Movement

Connecting.

Connecting. That's a word that we've become very familiar with over the past year. The emphasis of our assigned task within our missionary organization has become 'connecting'. The word 'connecting' has even been added to the logo of our missionary sending employer. The large cluster group of missionaries that we work with has been named 'The Connecting Cluster.' What does that mean? Why the emphasis on 'connecting'? Does it mean we've become dis-connected? Does the new emphasis imply that something is 'not' connected that needs to be?

I can't answer all of those questions for every missionary but in our hearts 'connecting' means several things:

1. Connecting the lost to the One they were meant for. The ultimate purpose for us being here in South America, for taking our children away from family and friends, for living so far away from those we love IS to connect the LOST to their ONLY HOPE. Without a 'life-changing connection' to Jesus Christ, there is no hope.
2. Connecting the church to its primary mission. There are missionaries who believe that 'missions' should be left to the 'professional missionaries.' I personally know some of them who hold to this view. Jesus clearly communicates to ALL of his disciples the challenge of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Jesus clearly set apart 'the church' as the foundation (connecting point) for the building of His kingdom.
3. Connecting the church to its missionaries. The missionaries that God has called to serve Him around the world can help a church move from 'Cross-cultural ministry' to 'Cross-cultural missions.' Missions involves church-planting and leadership development. Ministry is good works done in Jesus' name. Missions is making disciples who form churches who make disciples who form churches who make disciples...(and it continues...) A well-trained missionary can help your church connect Ministry to Missions.
4. Connecting the church to cross-cultural national partners. A church's cross-cultural ministry works best when a member of that culture is a PARTNER in ministry. The most effecting church planting and leadership training is done with and through partners from the culture we are trying to penetrate with the Gospel. Every mission team should look to connect to a national believer before settling on a church planting strategy. (The photo above is a national Peruvian missionary named Humberta. She doesn't call herself a missionary but she is one of the greatest missionaries on the planet.)
5. Connecting the missionary to the church. Being a missionary is a wonderful, difficult life. We would not trade these past four years of our journey for anything. But, it has not been easy. A source of strength for us has been the relationships that we have with many Southern Baptist churches who have loved us in so many ways. We are so blessed in our particular missionary assignment because we are able to have so many 'connections' with churches in the USA.

Those of you who are Southern Baptist will be hearing much in the coming months about 'connecting' with the lost of the world and 'embracing' unreached people groups around the globe. Why not pray about where you will 'connect'?

Thank you so much for your prayers for our family!

Jeff, Liesa, Haylee, and Jackson

The FBC Yazoo Crew.

Two of my very favorite things.

Me and my missionary woman.

26 May Update!

Thank you for praying for us this week. We've had an amazing week of ministry with a student mission team from First Baptist Church, Yazoo City, Mississippi. We've been working with a local church here in Huaraz, Peru and also with a local Peruvian missionary named Humberta. We have shared Bible stories, led Bible studies, played with many kids, distributed eye-glasses, shared the gospel on the streets of Huaraz, and much more.

We'll post more news soon...

Jackson holding on to a little Quechua child.