God does a Home-makeover

When a door closes, God opens a window… or sometimes He knocks down a wall. Or just does a whole home remodel instead.

That’s the whole of 2023. A massive remodel of the mind and expectations.

There is a reason I haven’t posted on the blog in some time. Honestly, I haven’t figured out how to break the news to everyone about all the ministry opportunities that have fallen through… and even though it isn’t my, nor anyone’s, fault, it brings me a sort of solemn embarrassment. But. God is bigger than the highs and lows and His plans are broader and more well thought out than my own.

So to start, here is a list of what has fallen through and the reason as to why:

1. The scouting trip to Morocco in April- Lack of communication form hosts/ budget constraints

2. The local outreach food truck- Budget constraints

3. Missions Pastor at Hope- unable to balance new responsibilities with current responsibilities effectively

4. Taking the Whole family to Japan- (I am the only one going from my family) Ticket prices got too expensive.

It’s a lot to take in, and even now it’s hard to understand why things just didn’t work out. Unfortunately, it happens, we can dwell on the past or we can choose to learn, grow and move on.

NOW, here’s a list of things that have panned out:

1. The coffeeshop sold- Though it did not sell to the person I expected to sell it to. However, the blessing of it all, is that it will remain a fixture in Ozark with the same name and a family that cares as much about the community as Angelina and I do.

2. Going to Japan- Though my family isn’t going, I will be joining Johnson and Sierra Tran for several weeks, with the full expectation that we will all be joining them when they return to Osaka in 2025.

And here are some new doors that have been opened:

1. We bought a bus- As a family of 4, we’ve been trying to figure out how we would comfortably get from state to state, to fulfill the Great commission and the mission of Simply Risen Ministries. Back in early April, the Lord placed an International school bus in our path and after prayerfully considering our options, decided we should go for it. It runs, drives, and is partially renovated, but will need more work to meet our families needs. However, it’s a great start, and we’ve got a good chunk of time before it needs to be completed.

2. DBS staffing- as of a month ago, I will be helping Johnson Tran staff the next DBS (Discipleship Bible School) in the fall. I’m not certain what it will entail, but being able to help others grow in biblical knowledge is something that's hard to pass on. (More on that later)

So what’s happening now?

Honestly, it has been business as usual. Angelina is a powerhouse, taking care of both little Heidi and the Tasmanian devil (Milo), while I’ve been on campus, making meals for our staff and student body, balancing finances for the kitchen, doing the occasional grounds upkeep and completing random but needed projects up on the mountain.

Over the next several months, Angelina and I are going to be more purposeful in pouring into our vision for bringing our abilities in the kitchen to YWAM campuses and ministries that need it most. We’d like to get a good plan together in order to effectively start as soon as God gives the word. We are both so incredibly ready for it.

I thank you all for continuing to support us through thoughtful prayer, finances, and words of wisdom. It brings us hope and confidence as a family unit to know that we have such a great group of people who champion us 100%.

We love you all and look forward to keeping you informed on the many Keller family adventures to come.

God bless-