Joanie Feuerstein

My Expiration Date

The bank, the rescue mission in the inner city of Cleveland, garbage dumps in Manila, men and women’s national prisons on the islands of the Philippines, high in the mountains of Boquete Panama, the death of my Son Johnny followed by the homegoing of Will, my Husband and FACE 2 FACE ministry partner. These STOPS along my path of life had expiration dates and each one came to an end.  In 2021, we repatriated to the US and less than a year later, I joined the club no one wants to join; as a widow at 76, I officially retired from ACTION International in 2023.  STOP.  I took a pause to catch my breath on this journey called life.

Now living in a missionary village in Florida, Il Villaggio, God isn’t done with me yet!  I have a “good until this date” stamped on my heart for people and for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It isn’t written with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God.

OUR and now MY missionary verse since 2001 still

propels and compels me to keep running the race:

ACTS 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—

the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

God left me behind, healthy, and strong and opened new ‘task’ doors.  I was asked to help in the office and then asked to create and lead a team of volunteers to oversee activities in our new community center. I felt compassion for others and saw my role to purposefully help meet various needs of residents…not because I ‘have to’ but because I ‘get to.’   I am active in Griefshare at my church and was asked to co-lead this ministry. I jumped back into the member care ministry of ACTION as a mentor for new missionaries.  In July, I’m joining my church’s mission trip to the Dominican Republic, Lord willing.

God has used your ongoing support of prayers and finances to encourage me and not to believe a fake expiry date. Because of you, I’m still able to support our FACE 2 FACE prison ministry in the Philippines. You are cheering me on to keep going toward the finish line. I serve my Lord with energy, joy, and gratitude. Thank you.