Love Freely Given

“I remember going to the Vilseck Hospitality House for the first time. Initially, I was scared that my past would mean that I was too broken of a person to fit in amongst everyone there. I assumed that everyone around me was perfect Christians who had their lives together and that I was a disaster. I was so wrong.”

These were the opening words of a testimony given by a woman at a baptism held for her and two others who attend the ministry of Vilseck House Directors Matt and Tina Huisjen. Having served with Cadence since 1998, the Huisjens have welcomed many people into their home and count it a privilege to share the gospel and watch God transform lives through His love, as illustrated in the life of this woman.

Growing up with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father, her childhood was characterized by chaos and instability. In an effort to find love and fill the void in her heart, she began to make choices that led to heartache and hopelessness.

After hitting rock bottom, she began to attend the Huisjen’s ministry and encountered God:   

I was overwhelmed by the warmth and genuine love of the people there. They welcomed me with open arms, without judgment or condemnation. It was in that environment that I began to learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. I heard stories of redemption and transformation, stories that resonated deeply with my own brokenness.  

Slowly, but surely, I started to understand that God’s love wasn’t something I had to earn; it was freely given. Jesus demonstrated this love for us by dying on the cross for our sins, offering us forgiveness. This was a wild concept for someone like me, who had always felt unworthy and unloved. As I continued to attend the Vilseck House and women’s Bible study, I began to see myself through God’s eyes-cherished and loved beyond measure.   

Today, my life is a testament to God’s grace and redemption. I have found peace and purpose that I never thought possible. My past no longer defines me; instead, it serves as a powerful testimony of God’s transformative power. I am living proof that no matter how far you’ve strayed away from him or how deep your pain, God’s love can reach you, heal you, and give you a new beginning.

Ohana Night

Hello friends,

We are delighted for you to hear from one of our full-time Cadence missionaries, Melissa Rafferty, who is serving in Okinawa, Japan. Melissa joined Cadence in 2011 with a desire to share the gospel and her life with young men and women in the military.

I separated from the Air Force and joined Cadence as a single 34-year-old woman, unsure of what the Lord was calling me to do. I knew two things. I knew I loved the military community; and I knew I had a desire to see people live in the fullness of who God has called them to be, rather than waiting on what culture around them said they needed to be.

I am currently the director of the Wired Bean, a coffee house and chapel ministry center for junior enlisted personnel on Kadena Air Base. At the Wired Bean, our desire is to reach out to those who live in the dorms and to provide a safe place for them to meet new people, explore life, learn about leadership, volunteer, and talk about faith.

Many of the men and women who enter our doors have just left their hometown for the first time and are trying to figure out what they believe and why they believe it. They enter a work environment in which talking about religion and politics is discouraged. So, the question is, where are they free to ask meaningful questions and have important conversations?

We provide a respectful place for people to have those conversations and seek information. Some people are receptive to the gospel and others aren’t, but we believe that the Lord is using us to plant the seeds.

As a single woman, I can adjust my schedule to be available when these young men and women are off work. We often meet up for a meal, or just hang out and talk. I receive occasional questions from other singles who have a desire to be in a relationship. My hope is to encourage them to seek the Lord in their current stage of life and trust His timing and plan.

One of our regular ministry events is Ohana Night, which provides a home-cooked meal sponsored by various organizations on base. Many junior enlisted personnel rarely have the chance to eat a home-cooked meal. We love welcoming both new and familiar faces to the table, where they can enjoy good food and even better company. These meals give us the ability to continue building relationships with these men and women and to hear about their lives.

Some prayer requests from Melissa

We have a new “council,” a group of men and women who lead and serve at the Wired Bean. We have started the application process and will follow it up with interviews. Pray for a united team.

Also, I will be traveling to the States this summer. Please pray as I begin to plan and prepare the logistics involved in keeping the Wired Bean up and running while I am away.

We are thankful for Melissa and all the lives she and her team are impacting.

Cadence in the News: Ministry Featured on Military.Com

Cadence is in the news!

Military.com shared a story about our hospitality house, The Homestead, that serves Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska.

“Friday nights mean a full kitchen at The Homestead.

Stephanie Caudle starts preparing early. House cleaning starts around noon, she said, dinner preparation begins around 4 p.m. and guests start arriving an hour or so later. Dinner’s served at 6 p.m., Caudle said, followed by games, Bible study and dessert. Sometimes, she said, guests stick around until 1 or 2 a.m.”

Read the rest of the article here.