Mission Trip Information

This October, our family will be joining Fred and Arlene Jonkman in their missionary work in Quito, Ecuador. The Jonkman’s are from the Grace Free Reformed Church in Brantford, and have been a part of Ecuador Missions for the past thirteen years.

This opportunity arose unexpectedly, but has certainly been an answer to prayer. After a job opportunity for James fell through, we began to prayerfully consider what our plans might be for the fall.  Within weeks our attention was drawn to Ecuador, and it was at a nearby church in Brantford (a church we happened to be visiting) that we became acquainted with the Jonkman’s and their mission. We were able to meet with them to discuss their work and if we might be able to assist them in their mission. It was an exciting meeting, calling to mind Ephesians 2:10, which says we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”.

In Ecuador, we hope to use the gifts that God has given us to strengthen the Church. Although Rebecca’s primary mission will be looking after our son Jesse, she will also be teaching an ESL course and helping Arlene with her involvement in the women’s ministry for the local members of their church in Quito. James will be helping with some web work for their mission, helping with small construction projects, as well as assisting Fred with his teaching at the Reformed Study Centre.  

We covet your prayers during this time. We ask you to pray for the transition of our family into a new culture, that Rebecca will be able to continue to care for Jesse while taking on additional responsibilities, and that we may humbly use our gifts to serve the people and Church in Ecuador. There is also a financial element of the trip, where the cost of living in Quito will be $1500 dollars a month in addition to flights. Our desire is to stay and assist the Jonkmans until the end of December. If you feel the Lord leading you to give, you can make cheques payable to "Vision 2020 Canada", writing “James and Rebecca Harskamp” on the comment line. All donations will be tax deductible. Donations may be given to us to pass on, or mailed directly to the New City Church donation office:

Vision 2020 Canada
c/o Arlene VandeKamp
45 Goodridge Drive, St. Albert, AB
T8N 2A9.

We thank you for support in Christ, in whom we seek to serve. If you would like to contact us while we are down south, you may reach us by email (jharska21@gmail.com) or by Skype (username: james.harskamp).

In Christ,

James, Rebecca and Jesse

Update: We've booked our flights and will be leaving for Ecuador on October 13, and returning to Vancouver on December 29 in time for James' brother's wedding.