Jolea Jensen: Missionary to the Philippines

December 2008
Dear Family and Friends:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,” Luke 2:11. Christmas is the time of year when we turn our thoughts toward home and family. It is also the time when we remember the miracle of our Saviour’s birth. As we remember what Christ did for us on the cross, we ought to take the opportunities of the season to bring others into God’s family.

This past month has been a month full of opportunities. I traveled 1,900 miles throughout PA, NY, MA, VT and NH. I shared gospel tracts with many people, from a lady walking her dog at a rest area to the gas station attendant, toll booth operator, and grocery store cashier. I also tried to witness to the owner of an inn I stayed at in New England. He was more interested, however, in arguing about the canon of Scripture and questioning why the Gnostic Gospels were not included in our Bibles today.

One pastor asked me to share a testimony in both morning and evening services at his church. In the evening, the Lord prompted me to share about witnessing to a young Filipina who was questioning the validity of the Catholic doctrine. After the service, the pastor told me that the congregation that night included a young man who came from a Catholic background and was searching for the truth.

As I travel, I continue searching used book stores to find music books to take back to the Philippines with me. I would like to thank one kind lady who donated three boxes of choral music. The Lord also provided some music education resource books and piano books through a couple other sources. I am specifically looking for piano books (classical or sacred) and teacher’s editions of mainstream elementary music curricula.

Please pray for the following requests:

1. Mrs. Ruth Bachorik: she has a herniated disc in her back.
2. Safety as I drive long distances alone.
3. Wisdom as I contact new churches for meetings.
4. Financial support. My support level is currently at 31%.
5. Opportunities to witness
6. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona, Marilyn
7. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
8. Vanessa and Ruth: wisdom as they teach in my place at BJMBC

My deputation schedule for January-February 2009 is as follows:

Jan. 4 Grace Bible Church, New Freedom, PA
Jan. 7 Valley View Bible Church, Telford, PA
Jan. 9-16 Bedford, VA
Jan. 18 Westgate Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC
Jan. 21 OPEN for SC
Jan. 25 OPEN for SC
Jan. 28 Good News Baptist Church, Candler, NC missions conference
Feb. 1 Grace Baptist Church, Orange, VA missions conference
Feb. 2 Liberty Baptist Church, Strasburg, VA missions conference
Feb. 4 OPEN for PA, NJ, MD, VA, or NC
Feb. 8 Gospel Baptist Church, Norlina, NC
Feb. 11 OPEN for VA or NC
Feb. 15 Filipino Independent Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA
Feb. 18 Mount Zion Baptist Church, Butler, PA
Feb. 22 AM Bible Baptist Church, Carnegie, PA
Feb. 22 PM Dunbar Baptist Church, Dunbar, PA
Feb. 23-26 Holiness Conference at Falls Baptist Church, Menomonee Falls, WI

Thank you so much for your prayers and support for my ministry.

In the service of the King,

Jolea Jensen

November 2008
Dear Family and Friends:

“Blessed be the LORD, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation,” Psalm 68:19. The Lord granted safety as I drove 1,489 miles across central, northern, and eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland this month. I have also grown to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation even more as I drove through many mountains and viewed the fall colors painted on the trees.

I visited nine churches this month, sharing my Melodies of Joy concert in five of these churches. I have also had opportunities to teach in children’s Sunday School classes and in elementary chapel at a Christian school. It has been a blessing to meet some Filipino families and be able to practice my Tagalog as I speak with them.

The Lord provides encouragement through various means. At one church, I was having trouble connecting my computer to a projector to show my DVD presentation. I heard a voice over my shoulder saying, “My name is Martin Valcarcel, GFA missionary to Spain. May I help?” Pastor Valcarcel and his wife were traveling through and had stopped at this church to give a quick update on their ministry. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing how the Lord is working in their ministries in Spain.

BJMBC will begin their second semester classes on Tuesday, November 4. My co-workers, the Bachoriks and the Uhlers, have been very busy teaching at music conferences these past couple weeks. I am looking forward to taking part in these conferences when I return to the mission field. We travel away from Manila during breaks to offer training in biblical music philosophy and practical music skills to those who otherwise may not have opportunities to learn.

Please pray for the following requests:
1. Mrs. Ruth Bachorik: she has a herniated disc in her back. Please pray for wisdom for the Bachorik family regarding her treatment.
2. Safety as I drive long distances alone.
3. Wisdom as I contact new churches for meetings. Please pray that the Lord will lead me to the ministries that He wants me to go to.
4. Financial support. My support level is currently at 31%.
5. Opportunities to witness
6. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona, Marilyn
7. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
8. Vanessa and Ruth: adjustment to the mission field. They are teaching in my place while I travel in the States.

My deputation schedule for Nov.-Jan. is as follows:

Nov. 1-5 Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mechanicsburg, PA missions conference
Nov. 9 Good News Baptist Church, Northfield Falls, VT
Nov. 12 Faith Baptist Church, Palmer, MA
Nov. 16 Tabernacle Baptist Church, Peabody, MA
Nov. 19 Salem Bible Church, Salem, NH
Nov. 23 Hudson View Baptist Church, Yonkers, NY
Jan. 4 Grace Bible Church, New Freedom, PA
Jan. 7 Valley View Bible Church, Telford, PA
Jan. 9-16 Bedford, VA
Jan. 18 Westgate Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC
Jan. 28 Good News Baptist Church, Candler, NC

Thank you so much for your prayers and support for my ministry.