Jill Van Opstal-Popa and Finding a Happy Home *Free Book to WINNER: Debra Pruss!

Dear Readers, I hope you are well and wish you a fabulous Mother's Day--whether celebrating with your children or your own mother. If you aren't able to celebrate, please know you are a beloved child of God. Have a great day!

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you? 

My name is Jill. I’m originally from New Franklin, Ohio, but it has been a long time since I have lived in the USA. I went to join YWAM Amsterdam in 1990, where I met my Dutch husband, Paul. We got married within ten months, and then joined staff with YWAM where we served for nearly nine years. We have two children who were born in the Netherlands, and my husband began to sense that God was calling him to another land. We lead a short-term mission in Brazil. When I looked into the face of a little girl living in the favelas, it was there that my heart began to love Brazil. I speak three languages, and I’m sixty years old.

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb?

The name of my book, Finding a Happy Home: A Journey of Faith and Redemption is a memoir about how my husband and I founded a children’s shelter called Lar Feliz. My book tells honest situations and setbacks, while at the same time showing how the Lord provides, protects and heals. In writing this memoir, I shared about my fears in the beginning of living on a farm, distant from town.

Book overview:  There were times in Jill van Opstal-Popa’s life that she felt completely alone and strange in her surroundings.  In the beginning of her mission work in Brazil, she wanted to give up so many times. Through the example of her husband, as well as the word of the Lord, she was able to stay and plant roots in a land that was different than what she was used to. Finding a Happy Home: A Journey of Faith and Redemption not only shares stories about neglected children finding new homes, it was also about her journey in finding a home in Christ, wherever He may send her. Many stories are also shared about God’s providence and His deliverance, as well as His protection during difficult days.  There are funny stories, as well as instances shared that stir up the anger of injustice, but all of it is wrapped up in the hope that we have in Jesus.

Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book?

When I wrote this book, I dug deep into my soul, sharing about situations that left a scar. I combined sharing about the difficulties that I had in the beginning with the many testimonies of God’s goodness to me where God prospered our ministry and revealed his love in a richer way. I was very meticulous in remembering the many details of the stories shared, sometimes changing the names of children and adults in order to protect their privacy. Though we started off as a family alone, God raised up an army of Brazilians, and we were able to help around 2,500 children throughout the years.

Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two?

The first years in Brazil, we were involved in a church that prohibited celebrating Christmas at home or in the church. At that time, many churches were legalistic and taught that Christmas was wrong. My husband and I still celebrated Christmas with a tree and decorations, and when we planted our own church, we were able to bring back Christmas as a celebration of Jesus with presents, singing, worship, decorations, lights and a Christmas tree.

 Since May 11 is Mother’s Day this year, I can share a little bit about being a mom figure to so many. It is the best thing, and it is also the worst thing. It seems for a long time, many children and young people who have had a lack of mothering in their lives, came to me for love. I find that a very high responsibility. When I worked at the baby house full time, the hardest day for me was saying goodbye to a child that I loved who would go for adoption.  In church, there are women who have issue with their moms, and they look to me for help. At times that was a blessing, but there were times that I let someone down because I’m only human. I try always to point them in the direction of Jesus.

Share your social media and buy links!

Instagram:  jill-van-opstal-popa

Facebook:  Jill Ann van Opstal-Popa;

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Happy-Home-Journey-Redemption/dp/1649606109

Dear readers, the author included several pictures of her mission work and I thought I'd include them here--I love getting to know these faith warriors!

Have a blessed week! God bless, Christina