5 reasons why we LOVE being "CRWM Partner Missionaries!"

Yesterday, our family had the privilege to host 50+ individuals in our home for a time of fellowship and food. . .all people living and serving in Nicaragua with the Christian Reformed Church (our denomination)--either through World Renew (relief and development) or World Missions (teaching, preaching, education). While the potluck lacked the ham on buns and the endless variety of jello salads present at a typical CRC potluck, we ate well (roasted kale, anyone?) and fellowshipped well (always fun to play "Dutch Bingo"--our term for discovering mutual friends without the help of Facebook--with a Korean-born Malaysian-raised Calvin grad serving in Nicaragua!). The weather was crazy--it was sunny. ..then rainy. . .then sunny. . .then rainy. . .forcing us to move in and out and in and out and leaving our red tile floors a dark shade of mud, but that didn't stop us from having a good time together.

We are so thankful to have this community of people here in Nicaragua--for our kids to have so many "Christian Reformed Cousins" to run around with, to have people walking alongside of us as we serve in another country. We are not isolated or alone, and we are thankful for this. Besides these gatherings that occur 3-4 times each school year, there are many other reasons we are grateful to be serving Jesus supported by the CRC.

1) Money Stuff. All support of our family's ministry is channeled through the CRC. They collect all donations, distribute funds to us once a month based on our budget, keep track of our donations, send supports receipts for tax-deductible donations. . .and the best part--they don't keep a penny of donations for "The Ippels in Nicaragua" for overhead costs. Every penny supports our ministry. Didn't know that cool fact? Click here to donate! :)

2) Donor Stuff. Last spring, my mother-in-law, who lived in the middle of the woods out in Cannonsburg, had a knock on her door. It was a man from CRWM, thanking her for her support of the Ippels in Nicaragua (he had no idea going into it that she was related to us). We were completely oblivious to the fact that people from our mission agency would seek out and thank (in PERSON, too!) people for whom we are so thankful! There are many other ways in which the denomination keeps our donors in the loop and connected to not only what is happening in Nicaragua but around the world.

3) The Banner. Each month, we can count on getting at least one piece of mail in Nicaragua. It comes in a large manila envelope, and it is the Banner (the magazine of our denomination)!!! I read it cover to cover. . .which many of you might laugh at. But honestly, I'm thankful that the CRC is willing to pay the shipping cost for this small, concrete way of keeping us connected to our denomination.

4) Retreat! Once a year, all of the Central American CRC missionaries gather for a seaside spiritual retreat. We enjoyed our first one last year over Semana Santa (Holy Week)--4 days of worship, prayer, fellowship, relaxation, beach time, community. . .so thankful for this time and already looking forward to this year! While this isn't free for our family, it is offered at a fairly minimal cost so that all might attend. This year, Ruth is in charge of finding childcare for our group's 30-some children--interested? Let us know!

5) Churches. We are grateful for the network of churches that support us--Neland, Creston, First of Grand Rapids, and Rehoboth, and for the ways in which our denomination keeps us connected together. From the mailing of prayer cards and pictures and the handling of funds, to the encouragement that we remain rooted in these congregations as we serve. . .we are so grateful to serve as an extension of these four churches and their respective vision for transformation and change in Jesus throughout the world!