Reception Photos

Here is a link to the photos from our Reception in California!
Keary did an amazing job, so check them out when you have a few minutes.

We want to thank everyone for
showing us such love at our
special reception in California.
It was wonderful to celebrate
with so many of you!

A special thank you to my
mom, Lynda,for putting it together
and blessing us! And the Jaquets,
who graciously opened up their
gorgeous home for so many events
that weekend! We are so blessed.
And Keary, thanks for capturing
the day.

Enjoy the photos!

Goodbye Duke. You will be missed.

This week my family said goodbye to a dear, dear friend – our dog Duke. He was a beautiful thoroughbred Golden Retriever, who we’ve had since 1993 (yes, he was almost 16 years old!). I spoke to Dad on Thursday, the day after we’d had him put down, I had a conversation with Dad about Duke – his life, fun memories, how the Lord totally led us to the right dog, and how it went on Wednesday when we had him put down. He really was the best dog we could have asked for.

I wonder. Will our animals be in heaven? CS Lewis postulates that pets may have some eternal existence subject to the merits of their earthly owner. I’d like to think so – I was hoping that I’d get to be around for the day that Duke would die. Either way, God totally blessed us with a rad dog, and Duke will be sorely missed not just by my family, but by everyone who knew him!

Dad wrote an insightful pastoral letter this week about Duke and the moral justification for putting down an animal, vs. the debate about euthanasia. It was interesting. I’ve included it here. Let me know what you think! Blessings.

Dear Family in Christ,

The following Pastoral letter is a good bit longer than most,
and deals with a sensitive matter. I trust you will receive it
with a generous spirit.

JG

  

   

Meditations on Putting My Dog Down
And Wanting My Sick Mother to Live

As many will know, my family and I said goodbye this week to our long-time faithful
dog and friend Duke. Many of you will understand that the word “pet” is insufficient to
describe the relationship which can develop between a good dog and his master. Duke
will be warmly remembered, not only by me and my family, but by many of you who
knew and loved him. We together are most thankful for his 16 years of life.

As a family, we decided together that it was time to have Duke “put down”. In reaching
this decision, I had to do some Biblical thinking, basically grappling with the question:

“What gives me the right to decide that it is time for an animal, which
God created, to die?”

In the process, another question cast a shadow over me, and refused to let me ignore it:

“How can you be merciful in not wanting your dog to suffer, and then be
willing to have your own Mother, a person, suffer, refusing her a ‘dignified death’ ?”

In other words, why is it right to “put a dog down”, and wrong to perform euthanasia?
Should people be allowed to suffer pain and distress where we would, in mercy, not allow
an animal to suffer?

These two questions are joined at the hip, and it is really important that Christians be able
to give a clear answer to both. We regularly hear in the news of families flying overseas
to give their loved ones the opportunity to end their pain-filled lives in ways not
dissimilar to the way in which a vet ended my dear dog’s life. There is increasing
pressure upon our society to embrace the “merciful” killing of the aged and infirmed, and
to view those who oppose such actions as lacking compassion.

The first question is very easy to answer from a Biblical standpoint. At Creation God
ordained that man should have dominion over animals:

Then God said: “Let us make man in our image…and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the
ground.” (Genesis 1:26)

This Creation Ordinance means that God has delegated His rule over creatures to

mankind. As God’s vice-regents, we are finally accountable to God for the well-being of

every creature on earth. But we also have sovereignty over them. A good master is

responsible for his animal’s life. This implies a delegated authority to decide when it is

time for his animal’s life to end. Never forgetting his accountability to God, the Man,

made in God’s Image, has dominion over the animal. It is as simple and as profound as

that. When I decided that Duke was beginning to suffer in a way that would be

detrimental to his overall well-being, and beyond my finite ability to cope (God’s ability

to cope is infinite), then, with a thankful and reverent eye toward my Lord, I presided over

his death.

No-one has suggested that my family and I have been anything but prudent and merciful.

Why, then, can I not suggest the same course of action for my long-term ill, “invalid”

(horrible word!), pain-filled mother? Why do I, along with my family, applaud the

efforts of the doctors to give her every chance to live another day, as we wait for her life

to end naturally? Why have some of you chosen palliative care for a pain-racked relative

rather than succumb to the mounting pressure to “mercifully end their life”?

I want to give four reasons why it is wrong to perform euthanasia, and not unmerciful to

patiently endure with a suffering human who himself is patiently enduring as they await

their own death. The following is by no means an exhaustive treatment of the subject, and

I am well aware that there are many “what ifs” that arise in situations where tragic

suffering is found.

1) While God has bestowed upon us a delegated sovereignty over the animal kingdom,

He has retained sole sovereignty over those made in His Image. Euthanasia is an act of

insubordination on our part. The Bible makes it plain that “our times are in His hands”

(Psalm 31:15), and that God has “ordained our days” (Psalm 139:16). To stretch mercy

for animals which ends in “putting them down” to a justification for the “mercy killing”

of suffering humans is to confuse categories within the basic order of Creation and to

usurp our place as creatures under the Sovereign Lordship of God.

2) Suffering has a redemptive purpose for humans which it can never have in animals.

Animals have not bee created in God’s Image. They were not the immediate objects of

Christ’s Atonement. They are not rebels in need of salvation. The Bible never speaks of

them being justified by grace through faith, and they cannot grow in holiness. But for

people, it is a different matter. God wills our sanctification, our transformation, our

growth in holiness. As such, it is a plain fact both of Scripture and experience that

suffering often does a work in the soul of the sufferer that pleasure cannot. Peter boldly

writes:

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the

same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a

result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires

but rather for the will of God. (1Peter 4:1,2)

Euthanasia can cut off the sanctifying work of God in the child of God before God would

have it cut off. It is not hard to imagine that it could even prevent one coming to Christ

by cutting their life short before conversion.

3) Suffering Christians can be powerfully used of God as Gospel witnesses and workers.

David Brainard, Amy Charmichael, Joni Ericson-Tada…the list goes in and on. There

are many in our own fellowships who bear powerful witness to the grace of God through

their pain and suffering. The apostle Paul reminded the Galatians:

“As you know it was because of an illness that I first preached the Gospel to you” (Gal 4:13)

I know of very ill saints, suffering long-term illnesses, leading others, including sick and

dying unbelievers in hospital, to Christ. Jesus Christ uses saints, often in weakness and

infirmity, to manifest His manifold mercies.

Grace is also remarkably manifested through those who care for the infirm. Pain affords

a remarkable opportunity for the nature of God to be manifested in the hearts and lives of

those who love and support those who suffer. What an opportunity suffering affords to

prove that indeed he does “give strength to the weary” and “increase the power of the

weak”.

4) Because we are a sinful and fallen race, we can get it wrong with euthanasia.

Conceivably, I got it wrong with my dear dog. Perhaps he would have rallied next week

and gone on for a year or two. But where people are concerned, we cannot afford

ourselves the luxury of being right “most of the time”. I personally have been pastorally

present in tragic cases where there has been no glimmer of hope…only to see people defy

all odds and confound all expectations and recover. Moreover, we fallen ones cannot be

trusted with the power of life and death over the weak…It is too open to abuse in our

hands, and therefore best left in God’s. It is by no means beyond conception that any of

us could be tempted to “bump off Granny” because we could really use her flat. Sorry if

that offends, but I fear it is too true.

Authority over Duke was delegated to me by the Sovereign Lord. I exercised it in

determining that it was time for his days to end. Authority, in matters of life and death,

over my mother, and every human being, belongs to God alone. It is our place to humbly

wait, worship, alleviate, and care for the weakest in our midst. May God have mercy

upon us as a culture as we are increasingly challenging where He has placed us in His

Created Order.

Well, I warned you of a long and sensitive letter. I trust we see more clearly the
importance of understanding what it means to have dominion on the one hand, and to be
under Christ’s Lordship on the other, and how vital it is that we understand the
difference.

May the Lord lead us to live in these days as wise and effective disciples.

Yours, But Only For His Glory,

John Gillespie (Snr.)

Learning about Blogging

I’m sitting here in the DTS office with Calvin Hansen and Liam Byrnes, as they continue to amaze me with the wonders of today’s blogging technology. Watch this space for changes in the coming weeks as we streamline our side, get a photostream for you guys, and basically make everything more awesome!

I’ve enjoyed reading Jenni’s blogs lately, but I really should be blogging more. It’s not that there’s not a lot on my heart, but more that it’s been a more introspective time for me lately.

Angie Update

Hey, thanks everyone for your prayers!

Angie is getting better. Her recovery is a bit slow, but it seems that she has gotten through the roughest part and is on her way to full health! This is a blessing- and a reminder that we must never take our health for granted! Also, now is a great time to encourage all of you out there to wash your hands often, drink lots and lots of water, and make sure you get your Vitamin C! Ok?

Angie, we are so happy you are feeling better! We love you!

Just Cruising By

Our long-time family friends, the Thompsons, were just in town. They arrived by sea, literally, on a cruise ship and were in Kona just for the day. Their visit gives new meaning to the phrase, “I was in the neighborhood and just thought I’d drop by!” When you live out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this is a very uncommon occasion. So we made plans to get together! It was great to catch up and hear how their family has been, and tell them what we’ve been up to with YWAM. And although we encouraged them to stay with us instead of returning to their ship, they decided to head back to sea and continue on to Kauai!
Enjoy your trip, Brent and Pam!

And to the rest of you out there, maybe you can learn a thing or two from this… Find a nice cruise, and come see us for the afternoon (or longer)!

With Love from Kona

Hi everyone!

This is just a little message to say, “We love you!”

Our week has been quite full, and some blogging definitely is overdue. We will be adding some news to the blog soon. But, for now, we just thought we’d remind you all how much we love you, and how blessed we are to have you in our lives.

Have a great night!

With love from Kona,
jenni and Johnny

Untitled

I seem to be having some trouble posting right now…

so this is a test, to see if I can actually get something to post.

Anyone reading it?

He's Home!

Yep, Johnny returned to Kona on Monday night. I’m so glad he’s back!

Today we’ll be on campus doing some catch-up work, since last week was a little more eventful than normal. Things feel a little calmer now! And I am thankful to have my husband back home.

Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers while he was away!

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday we went to the Pumpkin Patch in Waimea.

Even though we don’t have much of a fall season out here, we still have pumpkins! Asher and Hadassah were really excited about the outing, so they were all smiles as we made the one hour drive up to Waimea. We also went with Jeff, Beth, Elijah, and Carter (Johnny’s sister and her wonderful family who we love so much!) and the entire day was just wonderful. The kids picked out pumpkins and explored all the excitement going on around them at the carnival-type event. It was a windy day so all the little ones bundled up in their hoodies to stay warm. We had lunch and then played at the park before heading home. After all the fun, Asher and Hadassah slept peacefully the entire way home!

Johnny is in Canada

This post is to inform you that I MISS MY HUSBAND! On Thursday evening, Johnny left Kona to go to Canada to be at the wedding of our good friends, Taylor and Julia. This is our first time apart since we got married 11 months ago, and neither of us are very fond of the distance. As I got ready for bed Thursday night I picked up my toothbrush and instantly noticed that my husband’s toothbrush was not beside mine. Oh, such sorrow! Our toothbrushes look much nicer when they are together!

However, I have no lack of activity while he is away. I am taking care of two little ones for the next few days because Andy and Holly Byrd, are also at the wedding. When I heard a few weeks ago that Holly might not be able to attend (Julia had asked her to be the matron of honor), God gave me the idea of offering to watch 5-year-old Asher, and 2-year-old Hadassah, so that she would be able to make the trip with only Rhema, their one-month-old. Andy was already away on a trip and would meet her in Canada for the wedding. Because of the Lord’s special timing, it all came together and she was able to go to Winnipeg to be Julia’s matron of honor.

So, yes, I have plenty to do while my husband is away. The two kids are very active, and they keep me moving! They love coloring, reading books, and chasing each other around the living room. A little delight for me is that Hadassah lets me braid her beautiful blond, curly hair (Gail, I know you will appreciate that!). Asher is extremely curious about absolutely everything and asks questions with great urgency. I love his enthusiasm and his creativity, though! I am learning so much as I take care of them. It is an honor to be part of Taylor and Julia’s wedding in this way.

Well, I need to get some rest since my last few days have been so eventful.

Blessings to you all, and may you all enjoy a very peaceful week!