Clay Pots ~ Prayer Request

Visiting our friends, Scott and Lina Sutton

Jason and Amy Miller, missionary pilot, 9 years later we meet back at our old apartments.

We have just recently returned home (for a few days) from our travels. We were greatly encouraged by our time in both Nebraska and Missouri. Although it has been over a week since we visited our friends and attended the conference, the late night chats, the encouraging and convicting sermons, and the good fellowship with fellow missionaries is still buzzing in our ears. It was so good to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones; people who are committed and faithful servants of Jesus Christ. We heard amazing stories of people who had been through deep waters only to surface with a greater love for their Savior, Jesus. Wow, what a testimony to us to persevere! The past few weeks have been a real shot in the arm as we prepare to head back overseas.

On a somber note, we would like to ask for your prayers on behalf of our co-workers, Chad and Janeene Mankins. They had to return to the States about 3 weeks ago because Chad was having some medical issues. This is their latest email:

After conducting some more tests, the doctor found a small tumor in Chad’s bladder which he said looked like the beginnings of a malignant tumor. He wants to surgically remove the tumor on Wednesday, July 1st, then we will wait for the pathology report.

Interestingly enough, he also said that he could see no apparent link between this tumor and Chad’s pain.

So as you can see, we are still looking for more answers. But at this point, if nothing else, we can see God’s gracious hand at work in showing us this tumor so quickly. He has also been our Rock during these times of uncertainty and suffering. Many of you have sent emails expressing your love and prayer support of us. Thank you. We would also ask you to continue lifting us up as a family before our Father.

Please pray for Chad’s upcoming surgery tomorrow, that the Great Physician will heal him completely so that we can see him back in the tribe very soon. As a family, pray that the Lord would encourage their hearts and strengthen their faith during these times of uncertainty. Also, be praying for our other co-workers, Jason and Nisae Williamson, as they ‘hold down the fort’ in Tobo for the time being.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

We’re also on facebook!

Clay Pots ~ Drying Out

One of the things on my “Bucket List” was to learn how to throw a pot. So for my birthday, Jason surprised me with a date night lesson. They take couples at night and teach them together how to make a pot. When the pot is done being shaped and molded it has to dry. An interesting fact, which struck Jason and I, was that the pot cannot dry alone but has to be surrounded by other drying pots (in a small room or covered with plastic) so that it will prevent it from drying out too fast. Our instructor showed us this gorgeous bowl that had completely cracked because it had been left out to dry alone and uncovered. But when pots are drying together they balance out the humidity so that they all dry evenly and at a slower rate. It is curios how it is much like us Christians. We need fellowship with those of like faith so that we are strengthened under trials… if left alone, we are prone to cracking under the pressure. We need the church body surrounding us so that we won’t dry out and crack. Although we are all different sizes and shapes and temperaments, Jason and I have been learning not to take other pots surrounding us for granted. God put each of us specifically in our local assemblies for the strengthening and building up of the body of Christ.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Ps We are off on the road traveling for the next couple weeks to visit friends and to attend a mission refresher course. When we get back we will be starting to pack, then head out west for a week, and then finishing packing… the first of August is coming up fast! Maybe it will actually get warm in WI before we leaveJ.

Clay Pots ~ Selflessness

“Dear Knapps,
I had a birthday party on November 7th.
Instead of presents we raised money for diffent things.
I chose a missionary and it is you.
I raised a hundred dollars.
These money is for any thing you would like.
Love: Riley Kenyon”

I found this letter today as I cleaned out my desk. I have been really struggling with maintaining my faith as I have prayed this past week for God to provide the $ for our plane tickets to return to the tribe. Why do I so easily forget God’s provision for my family and ministry? Not only that, but I was humbled by Riley’s selflessness and my selfishness. Have I been selfishly trying to look out for good ‘ol #1 or selflessly giving of my own life and resources?

In regards to my faith in God to provide for our needs, I was encouraged with an e-mail from my co-worker, Nisae, who is in the tribe ,… “Janeene and I are doing a little Bible study thing on Ezra… it is amazing all the stuff we can relate to in that book- crazy! Like the Lord wanted the Israelites to rebuild the temple and then used a pagan King to give them everything they needed, all the $, animals for sacrificing, food- anything they needed for what God wanted them to do. I guess He’s the same God today and will provide what we need for things He’s asked us to do!”

Know any Pagan KingsJ? Just kidding, but the point is that my faith needs to rest not in humans, but in the Almighty, All-knowing God to provide for our needs. I am very thankful for the community of faith that surrounds me, encourages me, and challenges me to grow in these areas.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Ashamed?

In the past months, I have been greatly challenged and encouraged by Paul’s second letter to Timothy. As I endeavor to apply these truths in my own life I also greatly desire to impart these truths to the Tobo disciples and see them embody it. In 2 Timothy 1:8-2:7 Paul is encouraging Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, but to stand strong in it, to guard it, protect it, and to proclaim it. He didn’t want Timothy to be like Phygelus and Hermogenes who were ashamed of Paul and the gospel that he preached and thus deserted him in one of his greatest times of need (while he was in prison). Paul told Timothy to be like Onesiphorus, who shared in Paul’s suffering for the sake of the gospel. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stay the course, to continue to participate in spreading the gospel and making disciples, even if times got tough or if he was threatened with prison or even if he didn’t have some of the nicer comforts of life.

My very loose paraphrase of what he was saying would go something like this, “Don’t give up! And don’t be ashamed of what you believe! What we believe is the only truth, and if we who believe turn tail and run because of a little discomfort, then there is no hope for the world. We are soldiers of Jesus Christ, ambassadors for his kingdom, and witnesses of God’s grace displayed through Jesus Christ. Be strengthened in this grace and share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!” This timeless plea applies to us even today. We who believe in Jesus Christ are Christians. Our life is Jesus Christ, our Father is God Almighty, our hope is heaven, and our ministry is reconciliation. May we, like Paul, not be ashamed of what we believe before our unbelieving acquaintances; may we be convinced and proclaim to all an unashamed belief in the gospel of Jesus!

Thank you for your continued partnership in spreading the gospel,
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp