A Life Worth Living

On November 21, 2015November 21, 2015 By happyreignIn JoelLeave a comment

It has been almost six months since we decided to move to the Middle East. Many have asked of how we ended up living and being involved in one of the most “difficult” and “hardest” regions on the planet. The simple answer is that it was all His idea. Both my wife and I have felt that our lives haven’t been our own for a long time. When you have this deep conviction it is easier saying yes. Our no has been Crucified with Him. We get people praising us for living what seems like selfless lives. The honest reality is that we are doing what makes us come alive. He has orchestrated our steps and has led us down the road of Love.

We have had the privilege of working with His persecuted Body. Our days and nights consist of hearing people’s journey of Faith. They have had loved ones killed and everything they have worked for destroyed all because of their unbreakable conviction of not bending their knees to fear. I honestly can say that I complain a lot less since I have been here. In the face of so much loss and pain what can I complain about??? Our brothers and sisters have lost everything but the ability to love. The way they have welcomed us to their homes and families is truly humbling.

If your asking yourself what can you do to help or how can I make a difference I say to you is that you CAN love. You can love fearlessly and fully. Start with those around you. Do not let yourself be filled or swayed with fear by the Media and ask your God what He thinks about the Refugees. Ask Him how He sees them and go from there. -Joel

Did I do that?!

On May 23, 2015December 10, 2016 By happyreignIn Joel, Reflections & Musings1 Comment

Had a dream the other day that I was driving one of these at crazy speeds. When I woke up I heard “Steve Urkel’s” voice in my head saying,”Did I do that?!” It reminded me of another dream I had where I saw myself living in this evil empire. For some reason the evil ruler liked me and I had favor in his eyes. He made me second in command (like Joseph in the Bible story). I was housed in the highest tower overlooking the city. The Rulers palace was next to my tower and I could look down and see it. One night I was overlooking the Empire and I accidently bumped into a huge water container that was up in my tower and It fell over and crashed into the palace and triggered a revolt among the people. I felt almost bad because I hadn’t even planned it. The revolution happened by accident. My good friend Dave Vaughn in a conversation I had with him one time said to me that, “We had seen more by accident than many ministries had seen on purpose.” Lol. I really feel that God has placed many in strategic places and that He will use many without them even knowing it to spark revolutions and to overthrow evil establishments. Trust that He is the one guiding your steps even though you may find yourself in a place or a situation you never thought you would be in. Love you all. Love Has Won.

Love Is Our Greatest Weapon

On January 29, 2015December 10, 2016 By happyreignIn Joel, Reflections & Musings2 Comments

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

In the picture above with my beautiful wife is this amazing little girl. This precious treasure and her family are Syrian Refugees who fled to Jordan escaping the war. At such a young age she has seen family relatives murdered right before her eyes. It has been almost two years since they left the war torn country of Syria but she still has nightmares almost every night. She cuts herself and has tried to take her own life more times than her parents can count. My wife and I accompanied by some people who minister to the Syrian Refugee Community were asked to visit her and her family. As we walked towards their home a strong smell of smoke chocked us as we got closer to their door. Her parents tell us that she had just set something on fire. The small room where we sat was still filled with smoke. Everyone was coughing. It was almost unbearable. We came with bags of groceries, a guitar and with hearts over flooding with Love. One person on the team wanted to sing a song for her and she did. This beautiful girl sat right in front of her with her eyes beaming like flying saucers. My wife proceeded to hug her and play with her. I snapped this picture of what we were told was a rare sight. She was laughing! My heart was overwhelmed by God’s love for her and her family. This is just one story of millions who have been suffering from war. Have we forgotten that we belong to each other??? The mentality of “Us” vs. “Them” does not come from the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether we realize it or not we are ALL one! We all come from the same place. We are all His! I have found that the greatest opposition to hate is Love. Love is our greatest weapon. I encourage all who read this to love recklessly and extravagantly!

Our Next Step

On August 3, 2014August 3, 2014 By happyreignIn Heather, Joel2 Comments

Well Hello again friends. Joel and I have a bit of a new season ahead of us and we’re inviting you along for the adventure. It seems that Joel and I’s time in Malta has divinely drawn to a close as Joel’s visa extension is dated until September 16^thby which time we have to be off the island. Also coincidently, a Canadian couple on the island owns a very nice apartment near the Passmore’s residence that they are gifting for us to stay in while they travel internationally from this Tuesday until the day before our departure date, a window of forty days.

So catching everyone up to date, I have been on the island since February, with Joel following and our marriage taking place in April, and have since have had the privilege of being a part of the divine whirlwind of the Passmore household as they continue to walk out the adventures of their lives. With people arriving and leaving seemingly on a weekly to daily basis, the current visitors are facilitating 24/7 prayer on the island for about two weeks while a partnering organization has teams ministering in each country surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

So what’s next? That’s where we would love to invite your partnership with us! Starting this Tuesday Joel and I will be moving into that nearby apartment with plenty of time for us to continue to get to know one another and listen and hear God’s heart and vision for direction for the next step. Joel and I have had a tugging on our hearts towards involvement in North Africa or surrounding Muslim nations without specifically knowing how that may be walked out. Thank you for your prayers, support, vision and partnership with us during this time of transition for us Quinones’.

We are trusting in God’s diving leading, closing doors and opening ones, perfect timing and each step being led of him. We are so grateful for the time that we’ve had here and are overjoyed in how God’s gifted us with one another. We will always remember this season as the time of our lives in a safe and beautiful place. God bless and enjoy glorious risk!