Dear Praying Friends:
One hundred pounds of books will soon travel overseas to the Philippines. These are music books that God’s people graciously donated or that I found while perusing various used-book stores across the country. Thank you very much to each of you who have had a part in this project. I continue to collect books that my students can use on the mission field and anticipate sending more this next year. Shipping to the Philippines involves paying a set fee to send a large box called a “balikbayan box.” One very nice asset to this “balikbayan box” is that weight does not affect your cost. “Balikbayan” simply means “return to the country” in Tagalog. The box will take approximately six weeks to travel across the ocean.
Of course, I would like to be the one traveling overseas to my adopted country. The Lord has been teaching me much about His providence. Job 37:23a says, “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out.” “But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him,” Job 23:13-14. I know God is in control and that He will provide for my return in His perfect timing. My support level is currently 52%.
October commenced with three missions conferences in Maryland and two individual church meetings in West Virginia. One highlight was a reunion with my co-workers, the Kamibayashiyama family. We participated together in a conference in Frederick, Maryland. This reunion was a blessing and a great encouragement for me.
I returned home to New York State this month after being on the road since July. When I was working on my fall itinerary, I kept trying to schedule meetings for the end of October. The Lord instead gave me three open weeks to recover from a cold and sinus infection. My days are full with contacting more pastors, scheduling more meetings, studying Tagalog, and working on my music education curricula for Bob Jones Memorial Bible College. I am also working on a Christmas concert that I will share at a couple New England churches this Christmas season.
Please pray for the following requests:
1. Safety and good health as I drive long distances.
2. Wisdom as I continue working on my itinerary (meetings, housing, etc.) for January-May 2010. Praise God for 28 meetings scheduled so far for 2010.
3. Financial support. My support level is currently at 52%.
4. Opportunities to witness; boldness to share the Gospel
5. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona, Marilyn
6. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
7. Ruth Potter: wisdom as she teaches in my place at BJMBC.
My deputation schedule for November-January is as follows:
Nov. 12 Valley Bible Church, South Windham, Vermont
Nov. 14 North Lebanon Second Baptist Church, Lebanon, Maine
Ladies Missionary Group meeting, Christmas Concert
Nov. 15 AM First Free Will Baptist Church, New Durham, New Hampshire
Nov. 15 PM Heritage Baptist Church, Dover, New Hampshire
Nov. 18 Corinth Baptist Church, Corinth, Maine
Nov. 22 South Gardiner Baptist Church, South Gardiner, Maine
Nov. 29 PM Open Bible Baptist Church, Renssalear, New York
Dec. 11 Beth Eden Baptist Church, Fitchburg, Massachusetts Christmas Concert
Jan. 10, 2010 Independent Bible Church, Duryea, Pennsylvania
Jan. 17, 2010 Lake Lansing Baptist Church, East Lansing, Michigan
Jan. 24, 2010 Carleton Community Church, Carleton, Michigan
Jan. 31, 2010 Shoaff Park Baptist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana
We have an Almighty, All-powerful God Who can do above and beyond what we ask or think. Sometimes we do not see or understand what He is doing right now. One sermon I heard this month was about corn mazes. When you walk through the maze, you can’t see the big picture. If you fly overhead, then you can see the end and the beginning and where you are in-between. God knows the end from the beginning. Even though we cannot see the whole picture at this present time, we can trust Him to guide us through life and to lead us in making the decisions that will make our final picture beautiful. Please pray with me that I will keep my eyes focused on God as I continue pursuing the deputation trail. Thank you again to those of you who have helped bring me halfway through this current maze of my life. May God bless each of you who continue faithfully serving Him.
In the service of the King,
Jolea Jensen