2025 Green Bean Project Results

2025 Green Bean Project Results

I’m excited to share the results of this year’s Green Bean Project! But first, I want to give a little recap of the year. Every year is different, and I’m never sure what to expect. This year followed suit! I started the year excited and prepared to travel to Ukraine and begin making connections for future ministry. But, due to circumstances out of my control and decisions made by others, the trip was postponed—again and again and again. The situation there continues to deteriorate. It may now be some time before that trip can be made. This has been discouraging. I’ve had much to grapple with, both in how to spend the time waiting, what to schedule and what not to schedule, and how to maintain the right heart. By May, I knew I would not have the freedom to travel again until fall. So, I had to put it into the Lord’s hands and do what was in front of me.

While I can’t travel in the summer, being in Billings gave the opportunity to revive Backpacks for Kids. It was a small beginning, but we’re hoping to begin expanding its reach in 2026! This is a big project and it’s just me at FTN right now, which is why I hadn’t pursued it in a couple years. If you are in the Billings area and would like to help with the logistics, I would love to talk to you!

FTN also helped sponsor a retreat for moms and kids from a local rehab house here in town. This retreat gave them the opportunity to spend time in the mountains focusing on the Lord, each other, and on growing together in their faith. We have had a connection with this organization for many years. They’ve dreamed of this for years. I’ve been blessed to watch it come together the last two falls.

As summer closed, it was time for the Green Bean Project! God did so marvelously! Our goals this year were to help with required  remodels on the children’s home in Central Asia, to help replace a classroom roof in Kenya, and continued funding of FTN’s special needs account. Our goal was $10,000. God took us right past that to $10,930! What a joy to help in these ministries in this way!

Personally, God blessed with a happy and extremely busy year! My nephew graduated from high school. My niece was married and then later in the summer she, her husband, and his brothers were all baptized. Each shared their testimony of salvation. It was beautiful! We also welcomed two new great nieces and a great nephew into the family! They’re all precious! I had the opportunity to speak at/host three women’s retreats. I have four retreats scheduled for 2026 and am looking forward to each of them! Please be praying for the Lord’s direction in the retreats, in the day-to-day of FTN, and what He has for the future!

I’m so grateful for each of you who has encouraged, prayed, checked in, given, and held the ropes (as they say) this year. None of this would be possible without you! Thank you.

Here’s a sweet video from the missionaries’ daughter in Kenya! When we first partnered with them, she was 3 years old! My how she has grown! And what a joy it is to hear of how the ministry impacted her along with all the children they are serving.

I also thought you might enjoy some pictures from this year’s Green Bean Casserole Cook-off! We had a small turn out but that didn’t damage the fun! We had a delicious supper, had an FTN/Green Bean Project update, played games, and, of course, crowned a cook-off winner (who declined a photo)! It was a wonderful evening!