Hi! I’m Jan Claus. My full name is Janet, but it has been so long since anyone called me anything but Jan I may not answer if they called me Janet.

Welcome to Tales From the Mission Field

I am a wife of over 50 years, a mom, a grandma and a great grandma. I have enjoyed every stage of life, raising my children, spoiling my grandchildren and of course being able to spoil my great grand baby.

In 1999 we began a non-profit organization called Open Gates International. Through this organization we have been honored to support many a mission trip. The organization is still alive and active.

So why am I writing a blog? I have many stories to share about some very different places. I didn’t start doing mission work until I was in my 50’s and that was over two decades ago! (Please don’t do the math.)

I guess I’ve always been adventurous, but I didn’t realize it because my husband, Bob, has always been more adventurous than me.

Thinking about it; I love new places, I like all kinds of different foods, and I adapt to different experiences quite easily. Which is rather odd, since I am a person of order and tidiness. Must be God.

The countries where I’ve been include: Russia, Georgia, Jericho West Bank Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Ireland, Jamaica, Moldova and Guatemala. I can’t wait to share stories about these places.

My husband, Bob, and I lived in a few of those countries for extended periods of time.

Jericho, West Bank

We lived in Jericho for a little over two years. Because of visa requirements we needed to leave the country every three months. But we quickly went back to stay another three months.

While we were there we ran a mission house called: The Jesus House of Prayer. We held Bible studies, taught English as a Second Language, made friends and shared Jesus with them, and we fed the hungry. It was a place where people could come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and get to know each other.

Ukraine

In Ukraine we lived at The Widow’s House for a year and later had our own apartment. The Widow’s House was built by Samaritan Ministries in Ukraine founded by Don and Nancy Miller. We oversaw the running of the house which included helping them cook, monitored their medications, did their laundry (some were unable physically to perform that task), taught Bible studies, and so much more. We also held classes for the teens of the community to learn computer skills, English, and other things like manners. This house was in a small village called Pulin.

We also lived in an apartment in Zhitomer, Ukraine .While we lived there, we worked with a local church. The pastor was quite young and wanted us to help him. We taught classes on leadership, marriage, and how to grow in your Christian walk.

Jamaica

In Jamaica we ran a mission house for six weeks until the new overseers could get there to live. We helped the cook and did the shopping as well as organizing the different short term mission teams that came from different churches, usually for a week at a time.

Now for a new journey — BLOG-land

I hope you join me on my newest adventure — blog-land, or is it blog-ville, or Blog-troplis?

Have you lived overseas and had to learn new things?

I would love to hear your story and hope you enjoy mine.

Some of the trips were normal, some exciting, and some just down right dangerous.