Actually it was Avoca...as in "Avocado"

Wow.

It was an adventurous time in Avoca, MN just North of the Iowa border, and just west of the Wisconsin border.

Pastor John and Terri Stenan have quite a beautiful congregation. I met some sweet new friends and also reconnected with some NCU leaders Michael and MaryJo White.

One of the friends I met were pastors of a four-square church in Denver, CO before they retired. My grandfather, Frank H. Finkenbinder, was a missionary to the blind and a piano tuner. He was also a blind minister of the Assemblies of God, and he and his wife Gladys have been in the ministry for many MANY years. These friends knew my grandfather, who had often tuned their piano, and they were friends with my great-uncle George and his wife Rita.

How interesting that four years ago they retired to the small little town in Avoca, MN, and now divinely met me! I am so richly blessed!

Please pray that God will cause their mentorship of me to be very fruitful. They took me to lunch, and we talked about the four-square church and the well-known pastor, Jack Hayes, who is the leader of the four-square church. These folks reminded me so much of my grandparents, and that was very special. I pray for God to bless them, and also to use them as co-ministers with me in Costa Rica. Obviously, I am hoping they will become financial partners with me :)

I also had the opportunity to pray for their city and for the furtherance of the gospel with the youth generation. Pastor John had all the youth and young adults come forward, and I prayed for God to minister through them, and I am so excited for the fruit that I know they will bring forth! One youth approached me after the service and told me of his visions over the years. I believe God has called him to Africa. One young adult is definitely going to see fruit in his workplace.

Praise God that He has allowed me to have a part in this! Wow!

Oh... and just an added bonus, I am 1% closer to my goal! They gave an offering that divides out to $20 per month! WOW! Praise GoD!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever!"

Your fellow laborer in the Lord!
Joanna Joy ;)