I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t be able to take it all in…Malachi 3:10

If you’ve been to a second service since 2020, in the old or the new Church in the Pines buildings, or attended Andrew’s prayer meetings or other wild classes like those facilitated by Neil and Ruth Theilke, or Louie and Aggie Sande, you most likely have run across Pete and Theresa Lukes. These two have been married 49 years and are home town icons in Alexandria. They met at Skelly’s truck stop- for those who remember that hangout from back in the day. Theresa was 16 and Pete was umm… well… older. Sounds like love at first sight to hear them tell the story but that is not what this tale of profound heartfelt gratitude is about.

Both Pete and Theresa were born into large families. Pete’s mom had a rare disease called “Brittle Bone Disease,” or “Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)”. OI is a genetic mutation that affects the body’s ability to make strong bones. Although much of her life was spent in a wheelchair, Pete’s mom was told that she could have healthy children yet three of her kids have “OI” and Pete was one of them. Because of “OI”, Pete’s life has consisted of occasions where his bones break for no reason at all, that is without any physical trauma. Pete acknowledges that he has had several hundred broken bones and some breaks are much more painful than others and some breaks take a long time to heal. Over the years Pete went from walking to crutches and now to a motorized scooter.

Throughout their life together Pete performed autobody and mechanic work and Theresa was a homemaker and IT whiz for two local companies. Pete drove a van that had a wheelchair /scooter carrier attachment on the back. He would lift himself into the driver’s seat of the van from his scooter and someone would attach the scooter onto the carrier on back of the van. This process has worked for many years for daily trips and vacations.

Throughout the years, you rarely heard Pete complain about his condition but would instead hear him talk about living his life “in the Spirit” and what that means and where it has taken him. Since being born again, Pete embodies Joel 2:28, “ And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions.” These gifts trumps Pete’s illness as he enjoys telling his testimony to friends and strangers, (Pete will have to tell you the stories himself). Pete embraces these spiritual gifts and gives the Lord the glory.

In the spring of 2025, some vertebrae in Pete’s spine became fractured and a couple different vertebra broke two times. Twice Theresa called 911 and had an ambulance transport Pete to the hospital on a gurney due to the excruciating pain. Pete’s van was no longer an option because he could not lift himself into the driver’s seat, so when it was time to be discharged from the hospital there was no transportation available to get Pete home due to the necessity of transporting him on a gurney or scooter, and the hour was too late for Rainbow Rider. Theresa drove Pete’s van with the attached scooter to the hospital and Pete had to drive his scooter home on the sidewalks with Theresa following close behind. Both were grateful for clear weather and the medication received at the hospital which helped with pain during his venture home.

After the two spine fractures occurred Pete was unable to attend Pines. Folks kept asking Theresa how he was feeling and when he would be back. Pete was not doing well and he missed the church body and the body missed him. Theresa’s dear friend Trina , a Proverbs 17:17 “friend who loves at all times”, and her husband Greg Sandeno, from New Testament Church in Alexandria, where Theresa and Pete attended for 20 years before Pines, kept asking what they could do to help.” They were besides themselves in what was happening to Pete and the lack of transportation for Pete and the stress it placed on Theresa. The Sandenos came up with the idea of a different van that would allow Pete to be lifted into the van and possibly drive it. This seemed like a pipe dream. Trina then approached Theresa about utilizing the Christian based crowdfunding platform “GiveSendGo” for a van. After prayer the Lukes decided to give their consent.

The Sandenos made an announcement one Sunday at New Testament Church about Pete’s “GiveSendGo” fund raiser. Bill Jarvi, who attends New Testament heard the announcement and contacted Trina and Greg and stated he’d like to sponsor the fundraiser at his Common Ground Coffee House with soup and dessert. Once the announcement was made at New Testament and Bill offered to donate Common Grounds Coffee House. The event was posted on Facebook and shared 32 times, and the event was presented on the slides in the Pines common area.

A "But God" scenario was working out during this time. Rydell and Gaige Robinson, another Pines family, started a handicap transportation company named “Enroute.” Rydell and Gaige were contacted and agreed to provide rides for Pete and Theresa to the Pines for Sunday services once Pete’s vertebrae started to heal. The joy and laughter in the Pines common area between first and second services on Pete’s first few return Sundays was overwhelming. You could not get near Pete because so many friends had to greet and welcome him home. Leading up to September 28, Theresa was approached by all sorts of people wanting to donate to Pete’s van. Theresa was given envelopes of cash or checks plus friends indicated they were making on-line donations. Theresa began looking for vans between the twin cities and Alexandria. When shopping at a mobility conversion van dealership Theresa discovered they only sold handicapped passenger vans and not handicapped driver vans.

Then another "But God" event occurred. Pines' very own Scott Soderholm told Theresa about a handicap conversation van being sold in Starbuck. It turned out to be a 2014 Sienna Toyota with only 29,000 miles with a side lift and a driver’s seat that accommodated transfer from a wheelchair to seat. The seller was gracious. What a miracle and what a find. The owner stated the brakes and air-conditioner needed some tuning and Pete’s long time buddy Roylie Fischer stated he would donate his time, energy, and parts to repair everything the van needed after he gave the van a good inspection.

Back to the Common Ground party. What a success! Trina and Bill provided soup, bread and Bill sold his yummy specialty coffees. Deb Hinnenkamp (Theresa’s sister), and Pam Gust donated tasty bars and cookies. People came and went throughout the two hours of the event. Theresa determined, after the event, that there was enough money to purchase the van. UNBELIVEABLE!!!! Roylie, true to his word, repaired all issues and delivered the van the day of Pete’s son’s performance in Fiddler on the Roof, at the Andria Theatre. Guess who was the proud driver to that performance.

Since the delivery of the van, all Pete can do is smile as he explains what it means to him to have his freedom back. He can go places by himself and is back meeting with friends and family. When asked what he was thinking during the immobile, painful, broken bone moments, Pete reflects that God is true to his word, “…. The Lord will never leave you or forsake you…” Deuteronomy 31:6.

When Theresa is asked about the events leading up to the van’s purchase, you notice tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She reflects that those who prayed and /or donated to the cause will never know what it means to her and Pete personally. She states that she will never be able to repay those who participated in various ways, but God sees everyone’s generous hearts. She rejoices in her prayers of gratitude for innumerable reasons.

So, when you are at Pines and you see a beautiful white van in the handicapped parking space, know- in your knower - this is no ordinary conversion van. This is a van that brought encouragement and light to the darkest of days and tears of joy to the recipients. Know that the givers of this van, your graciousness and prayers have changed lives, and that the Church body still works miracles.

To Him the glory.

FIND WHERE GOD IS WORKING AND GO THERE - Wade Cole
If you don’t know who Wade Cole is, do you recall Pines PIE fundraiser? The one that gave everyone the best sugar high of the year - thanks to Sue and wonderful pie creators. Wade was the man behind the pie tables, with the huge smile, who wore a colorful Ensenada shirt standing next to his beautiful wife Kendra. Perhaps you know Wade as the man who oversaw the construction of the new church building or the newest member of the Pines Church Board. Although a man of many talents (pickleball included- just ask Kristal), his passion and focus are MISSIONS for Jesus.

Thirteen years ago, in a church not so far away Wade sensed a call and signed up for a short-term mission trip that included a jail and prison ministry. This was not a Douglas County jail mission, but a jail mission in Mexico, (Does anyone watch those jail videos from other countries???) This first experience flooded his heart and soul with the love of Jesus for the Mexican people. Continuing to stay on fire for the Lord, Wade has completed 25 missions and continues to thrive behind bars and other wild mission environments.

Wade’s first mission started by him and fellow volunteers flying from Minneapolis to San Diego, a food stop at an “In and Out Burger” restaurant, riding in a van/bus along the ocean to Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico which is located about 2 hours south of Tijuana. The volunteers stayed at a YWAM basecamp near the ocean, surrounded by the sounds of waves and scent of salt water. From the YWAM basecamp both men and women volunteers were transported to home build sites and the Mexican prison that houses both male and female adult prisoners in separate facilities. Many inmates had never heard of Jesus or the Word. Wade developed a compassion for the men and women he met behind bars, so he continued to go back two times a year. In addition to prison ministry the mission trips also involved building homes for the needy as part of the “Homes for Hope” program, (think in terms of our local Habitat for Humanity effort, only the home is built in 3 days!)

About three years into the Ensenada missions, Wade developed close relationships with fellow ministering Christians, Pastor Ricardo and his wife Erika Green and Pastor Gabriel, two of the local pastors who brought the volunteers into the prison. A Home of Hope was built for Ricardo and Erika in Ensenada. The Green’s consequently converted their home into a church facility and added a room for their residence.

Out of their desire to serve the Lord, the Greens were discovered by Carolyn Koons, a professor at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. Carolyn had been able to purchase 17 acres in the mountains of Ensenada from her employer when the school decided to sell the land. Carolyn’s inspiration was to carry on with ministry in Mexico and wanted Mexican nationals to oversee the ministry. After much prayer for those who had a heart for taking on the ministry, Carolyn found her local administrators, Ricardo and Erika, in clown suits as they shared the love of Jesus with children in a local park. Through this joint venture the Ranch of Refuge was created. Ninety percent of the staff at the Ranch of Refuge are former inmates from the prison. Due to the power of God through prison ministry these men and women have transformed lives as they came to understand the freedom we have in Christ, and now minister at the Ranch, including returning to the prison to share the Good News with others.

About the time Wade and Kendra (Wade's wife) began attending TCITP, YWAM changed their policies on hosting teams in Mexico. Due to the calling God had placed on him and his knowing the needs of the Ranch, Wade made a proposal to the Pines Church Board to begin taking teams from TCITP on mission trips to the Ranch of Refuge. The church board agreed. Wade spoke with the Greens and Carolyn about bringing teams to the Ranch of Refuge to build homes for believers and help share the Gospel in the vicinity of the Ranch.

Now Wade, along with over 30 TCITP volunteer missionaries, has gone to the Ranch of Refuge to build housing, rehabilitation centers, paint buildings at the Ranch, build bunks for volunteers, and remodel an old school structure into more on-site housing. Carpentry and trade skills are also being taught.

In addition to the above, Ericka has recently created outreach programs. On their recent trip, Pines volunteers shopped for food staples and baked goodies, then created food baskets for families living in the surrounding mountainous region. With mountain transportation provided, good trekking shoes, and an interpreter, the volunteers met and visited with the families about Jesus. Volunteers gave bread, food, and Bibles, explaining how Jesus is the Bread of Life. Individuals and families were told that the Bible’s story was the most important part of their visit. Each household was given a Bible in their language. The volunteers received heartwarming gratitude from those they visited. Erika shared with Wade that after these village visits some of the mountainous families are now attending the church at the Refuge.

Another ranch outreach is journeying to the “red light district” in Ensenada on Saturday nights. With tracts and Bibles in hand, the missionaries team up with staff from the ranch and hit the streets, talking via staff interpreters with prostitutes and drunkards. Missionaries observed individuals sobering up before their eyes and several of the encountered people were receptive to the Gospel and stated they wanted a new life in Jesus. Hearts and ears were open. With God nothing is impossible!

This partnership between TCITP and the Ranch of Refuge (Rancho El Refugio - "The Ranch") Mission & Outreach has been established and ordained by God. Pastor Ricardo and Erika visited our church in 2024 and may be returning soon to assist us in outreach efforts to our Hispanic brothers and sisters. There are more events planned for future trips to the Ranch of Refuge.

In October of 2025, TCITP leaders (Pastor Jeremy and Kelly Lanctot and Pastor Chad and Connie Runge) who have been instrumental in a program called “Journey to the Heart” prison ministry went to the Ranch to meet with the staff and church members there to train them in using Journey to the Heart Bible study curriculum to reach the unsaved and enhance believers faith with deeper roots.

In March of 2026, Wade’s brother-in-law, who operates “FREEDOM CLINIC” out of Ocala, Florida, will travel to the Ranch and surrounding villages for ten days with portable medical equipment, volunteer doctors, dentists and ophthalmologists. FREEDOM stands for "free of charge": Dental, Optical, and Medical treatment. Some have expressed a desire to volunteer for this mission and more information will be coming soon. Wade will also be putting another team together for an April/May 2026 TCITP mission trip.

If any of this mission information interests you and you want to pray God’s word over yourself about whether to come alongside the Pines Ensenada, Mexico or Africa missions (lead by Neil Thielke), pray and read Matthew 25:31-41.

You are free to seek out Wade and Neil.

All are welcome at the table where Jesus always has a place for you.

Writers Note:
When Wade speaks of or is in Kendra's (his wife) presence his joy and wonderment of God's gift to him of a Proverbs 31 woman is apparent.  "An excellent woman who can find? Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil all the days of his life." Proverbs 31:10-12. In other words, Kendra rocks Wade’s world. She is why Wade is so cool.

FOR WE LIVE BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT - 2 Corinthians 5:7
During the Pines’ August summer picnic John Lindblom sat across from 25 year old Lily Hjelle and the ensuing conversation had those at the table mesmerized. John commented to Lily that he had heard Jesus tell him to see with his ears and hear with his eyes. John believed that he could learn from Lily but he never had the chance to discuss it and asked if she was willing to talk about it.
With an enthusiastic, "YES," Lily explained that this is how she lives her life. Lily stated that her favorite verse in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith not by sight.” Lily explained that her eyes were developed when she was born, but that her optic nerves had not formed properly and that is why she is blind. She removed her glasses and exposed beautiful green eyes.
Lily explained what she loves about being blind is that she does not see people's skin color or characteristics, so she does not form judgments about them. She knows from hearing about the world around her that she is blessed by how she perceives things differently because she is free from much of the world’s nonsensical clutter.
John asked how she goes about doing the Lord’s work. Lily lit up and was excited to share her experience from last week. She stated that her grandma (our cool Norma Jean Peymann) had asked her if her blind girlfriend in Florida, who she talks with multiple times a day by phone, was a Christian due to the fact the young women spend a lot of time talking and pondering various subjects. Lily told her grandma she thought so, but did not think her friend knew Jesus. Lily prayed to God and He told her He would let her know when and how to discuss the topic with her close friend. Lily stated afterwards there were times when the two women spoke on the phone and God would tell her, “Now is not the time.” Suddenly last week when the two were talking, God told her, “Now is the time.”
Lily boldly asked her friend if she was a Christian and if she knew about Jesus or had a relationship with him. Her friend stated she knew about God but not about Jesus. Lily asked if she would like to have a relationship with Jesus and her friend said, "YES." With her reliance on the Lord, Lily led her friend to the cross and assisted her in opening her heart to Jesus for a personal relationship.
As Lily finished her story, the listeners around the table began clapping and congratulating Lily for her service to the Lord. Right before Jay called us to the baptisms, John commented how the Lord wired us all so differently and to embrace those differences because with those differences, we individually go about doing the work no one else can. Go God!

Neil Thielke, one of the missions leaders at TCITP, travels to Kenya, Africa speaking in churches, at pastors conferences, and interviewing caregivers and children. He is spreading the Gospel through action and word.
 
From August 3rd - August 17th he will be in Kenya speaking at two different conferences. Please keep him and the people he encounters in your prayers.

If you would like to check out his personal blog for updates on this trip or read about his previous trips, click on the link below.
Neil's Blog - Outfitters for Adventure

As I sit here this morning, coffee in hand, the quiet stillness wraps around me like a blanket. My heart is tender, and tears stream down, not out of sorrow, but from sheer gratitude. Not because of what God didn’t do, but because of all that He has done.

When I look back over the whirlwind of these past few months, I stand in awe of how God has orchestrated every detail. Truly, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23, NLT)

I remember talking to Cyndi (because of course, I always talk to Cyndi!) and feeling overwhelmed about how I was going to make my bills work, especially that car payment. It felt impossible. But then, out of nowhere, a deer hit my car, and suddenly, that payment was gone. God made a way where there was none. “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NLT)

And oh, the countless conversations I had with God about Karin and the Clarissa house. I asked Him over and over, how was I ever going to break free from that situation? Then came the unexpected: Karin was moving out of state, already had a buyer for the house, and was leaving everything behind. No cleaning. No closure. Just chaos. I walked through that house, garage sale piles in the driveway, rooms strung out with stuff, animals left behind, and I felt paralyzed. Where do I even start?

Cyndi and I began the sorting, cleaning, trying to untangle the mess. She suggested we ask the ladies for help, but shame gripped me. I was embarrassed by the condition of the house. I took on Karin’s mess like it was mine. But the truth is, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, NLT)

And yet, God was in the details. I found important documents, Jazzy’s birth certificate, house papers, things I’d thought were long gone. But every time I needed to reach out to Karin, she ignored my calls, emails, and texts. The silence was deafening.

One week into cleaning, I hit a wall. I was alone in that house, completely emotionally spent. I wept and shouted, questioning God. And then… silence. As worship music played softly in the background, His voice whispered to my soul, “Walk away. Let it go. You don’t need this. You don’t want this.”

He was calling me to surrender. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT) And when I finally did, it was as if a massive weight was lifted. The cloud of heaviness broke. Peace rushed in like a flood.

The very next day, I called a man whose number Jane (a beautiful lady from my Bible study) had passed on through Cyndi the week before. He came, gave me a price, and just like that, the burden was being removed, piece by piece. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT)

Now, the house is cleared, the buyer is ready, and I can already feel the chains breaking. And as for my car? God isn’t just providing, He’s blessing. Through the sale of the house, I’ll have enough to get a new one. No more payments. And yes, even money left in the bank, because “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT)

So I take another slow sip of my coffee, breathe in the morning air, and I whisper thanks to my Father. For going before me. For laying out a path with purpose and precision. “You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head.” (Psalm 139:5, NLT)

On Valentine’s day years ago a beautiful soul was born in southern Minnesota to a couple who would have 16 children.  Destined by the Lord to be a missionary, local spokesperson, and encourager, this child, Jean Zitzmann, did not anticipate these things for her life as she was growing up.
 
Jean married at the age of 18.  Her husband was in the military and served in Vietnam and Japan, among others.

Days after her husband left for the Japan assignment, Jean observed a military car on her lonely country road.  It turned in and parked in her driveway.  Two men walked up to her door.  Jean knew before the knock at the door.  Staring her in the face she found out she was a widow.  Jean was 30 years old with seven children ranging in age from three months to almost eleven, and she was hearing she would never see her young husband again.  
Within six months of becoming a widow, Jean’s 16 year old brother was killed in an accident.  Grief was everywhere.

But God and a revelation.

Trying to hold her life and that of her children together and at the same time learn who she was now as an “I”, no longer a “we”, Jean decided moving away would help.  She would leave Villard and move to Colorado Springs.  How absurd this sounded, to leave behind family/friend support and move across the country.  But it made sense to her, so she did the ridiculous and flew to Colorado Springs Co.  
 
Within three days she found a house for the family, signed a lease, and returned to Villard. Then she hired a mover and finally announced her intentions to children, siblings and parents.  Away they went to an unknown world filled with beautiful mountains.
 
Once the move to Colorado was completed Jean found a church to attend with her children.  An unknown woman told Jean in no uncertain terms that she needed a relationship with Jesus and had to receive the Holy Spirit.  KABOOM.  Within a few months these things came to pass.

As she was establishing a routine and life for herself and the children she heard the Lord’s voice again.  This time he told her she was to move back to Minnesota.  Jean had a million reasons why this was not a good idea and the timing was all wrong, kids in school, routine being established, mountains etc.  She resisted.  But God was not done testing whether she would follow his request.  So, on a wintery day a local garbage truck’s brakes failed, and the huge truck barreled through Jean’s back yard, clipping the corner of the garage and flinging debris all over.  Jean surrendered, realizing God was not kidding about the move back.

Due to the insanity of a move back to Minnesota Jean was praying with the Lord asking her to follow Him.  He told her she didn’t have to move to Minnesota and could certainly stay in this surrounding she have come to love, but she would live out a lesser destiny if she stayed.  Jean’s thoughts and choice?  She knew she had already lived less.  The family moved back to Villard.  

The Lord never stopped talking and pruning Jean.  In learning how to recognize the Lord’s direction and correction, Jean noticed a hat-like heaviness sometimes settled upon her head.  She knew it was from the Lord. Upon reaching out to the Holy Spirit she was convicted of her behavior towards her kids and took action.  Jean apologized to each child for her conduct.  Immediately after obeying whatever the Holy Spirit showed her, the heaviness lifted.  

A huge shift took place when Jean moved back to her clan of family members who had lived a life of hard work and worldly living.  Christ had a field day that summer as many family members moved into the family of God.  Some eventually became prophets and pastors.

Reflecting back on those times Jean realizes it was getting into the Word and making it her own by placing her name in the scriptures that made the difference.  Jean stated that by applying this technique, God WILL change your life.   She told how 22 summers of attending a Bible camp at Strawberry Lake in northern Minnesota and Resurrection House in Alexandria, the Holy Spirit transformed her family’s lives.  A 19 yr old son was intrigued when a camp speaker, Wes Smith, talked about taking Bibles into China.  A major revival was underway there and Bibles were so scarce in that communist country that people were willing to die for possessing one.  Her son knew he had a calling to go with Wes.  
 
Around 1983, Wes Smith asked her to go to Haiti.  Lord, you must be kidding she thought with five kids still at home and herself a student at the U of M in Morris, there was NO way.  So to prove to the Lord that she could not go, she made preparations as if she were going, speaking to department heads.  She was amazed when they each told her that she would be allowed to postpone finals.  Jean and one of her brothers both went to Haiti three years in a row.  On one of those trips, the Holy Spirit called Jean to travel the whole world.  
There were many challenges but Jean endeavored to “hear and obey”.  When it seemed the Lord was directing her to go with the Smiths to take Bibles into China, Jean ordered her passport, and all kinds of spiritual attacks came upon her household.  Ultimately, she was too late to join the Smiths’ group but contacted a nun from Forada who lived in Hongkong.  Instead of the downtown hotel the Smith team stayed in, Jean spent the week as a guest at the Maryknoll convent, while joining the Smith team for all their activities.  

In late 1987 Jean sensed the Lord was calling for another trip to China, but of course she could not go due to life.  By now the kids were catching on to what happened when the Lord told mom to do something.  This time the family took a mid-winter trip and were caught in an unanticipated snow storm.  Fortunately Jean was able to find overnight lodging enroute, and the place happened to have a  swimming pool.  Unbeknownst to her the kids had all packed swimsuits.  What, on a winter trip?
 
The next day they noticed more than a dozen cars in the ditches on the roads to Nebraska.  When it was time to come back, Nebraska got 19 inches of snow, making for an unpleasant return trip.  The heavy fog from Benson to Villard was no help.  Jean wasted no time in getting on her face to repent for delaying her obedience.

The next morning, a different brother called to tell her he was going to China and asked if she would want to pray about coming.  The answer was obvious and this time she knew she would do anything the Lord asked of her.  Don’t wait for the truck.

In the fall of 1988, Jean took her two youngest kids to Hongkong and planned to stay three months.  Not to be left out of this adventure her two recently graduated sons decided to join them for three weeks, and together as a family they helped with getting Bibles across the border into China.  When Bibles were delivered the receiving pastors fell on the floor and wept, as they had been fasting and praying for Bibles.  

After this trip Jean made others, and taking groups of Christians there and also later was asked to be a teacher at a university in China.  She would return home twice a year.  Jean also traveled into Mexico and several other countries as she felt led by God.
 
Ultimately, she lived in China for 20 years.  In 2014 her Canadian friends were imprisoned, accused of being spies.  The Lord said “Sit tight,” so Jean stayed in China and waited for her friends’ release.  They were in custody for six months for interrogation.  Then the lady was released while the husband was transferred to prison to stand trial.  He was found guilty and sentenced to 8 years in prison, but two days later he was abruptly deported.  “Two Tears on the Window” is a book written by these friends, (edited by our dear Ruth Thielke, and can be purchased on Amazon.)  In late 2015, Jean was reading Zechariah when the Holy Spirit drew her attention to a certain passage directing her to flee, to escape.  She knew God was telling her to get out of China and soon.  Her son emailed that he’d also read the same passage with the same message put on his heart.  China was no longer safe for Jean.  With the support of her kids, Jean came out of China.
 
Due to the severe persecution of Christians Jean observed and heard about in China, Jean is compelled by the Lord to discuss persecution.  She shows and discusses the film and book “ Insanity of God” and promotes Nik Ripken’s readings.  When Jean speaks, I hear the voice of the Lord and it is glorious.  To Him be the Glory.  
 
POSTSCRIPT
Words taken from “Extreme Devotion” published by the Voice of the Martyrs seem applicable to Jean’s life.
“While not everyone has the opportunity to smuggle Scriptures into restricted areas, we can still be willing servants for the kingdom.  It might mean deliberately putting ourselves in new, often uncomfortable situations.  We can’t share Christ if we avoid interacting with unchurched people or hide our faith in their presence … we should be willing to take the risk instead of settling for mediocrity."