September 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you; Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit,” John 12:24. My family and I recently attended revival meetings. One night, the evangelist preached on Mark 6:30-52, bringing a challenge to each believer present to come before God with an “empty basket.” Each one must allow God to fill that “basket” with His strength to do His work. This was a lesson I needed to hear, for I will soon be visiting many churches and sharing my burden for the Philippines. My desire is that God will be glorified through my deputation ministry.
The Lord added 23 new church meetings to my itinerary this month. I am praying for a full schedule for February through June 2009. It has been exciting to see the Lord lead as I continue contacting pastors. Please pray with me for safety as I begin traveling this month and will continue traveling through November. Because I have lived in the South for 9 years and in the Philippines for 2 years, my experience in driving through winter weather is sadly lacking. I must say that 80 to 100 degree tropical weather is not very conducive to snow. Many of my students have never even seen snow. Once it was raining, and I teasingly said to a student, “Oh, look at that snow out there.” She looked at me, surprised, and asked, “Is snow really that small [like raindrops]?” I guess she pictured it coming down in large chunks from the sky and landing on the ground like pieces to a big puzzle!
In my August prayer letter, I mentioned an intermediate level hymn arrangement book that I have been working on. The book, Forever Redeemed, is now complete. For those who are interested, you may visit my website for more information (www.joleajensen.com/piano).
I would like to thank those who are consistently praying and supporting my ministry. God provided a new supporting church this month, bringing my support level up from 25% to 30%.
Please pray for the following requests:
1. Safety as I drive long distances alone.
2. 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.
3. Financial support. My support level is currently at 30%.
4. Opportunities to witness
5. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona, Marilyn
6. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
7. Vanessa and Ruth: adjustment to the mission field. They are teaching in my place while I travel in the States.
My deputation schedule for Sept.-Nov. is as follows:
Sept. 14 Charlestown Bible Church, Charlestown, NH
Sept. 21 Calvary Baptist Church, West Collingswood Heights, NJ
Sept. 28 New Life Fellowship Baptist Church, East Stroudsburg, PA
Oct. 1 Limerick Chapel, Limerick, PA
Oct. 5-8 Calvary Independent Baptist Church, Huntingdon, PA missions conference
Oct. 12 Heidelburg Bible Church, Robesonia, PA
Oct. 15-18 Bradford, PA
Oct. 19 First Baptist Church, Roulette, PA
Oct. 22 Heritage Baptist Church, Mount Laurel, NJ
Oct. 26 AM Bethel Chapel Church, Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 26 PM Fellowship Baptist Church, West Berlin, NJ
Oct. 29 Faith Chapel, Carlisle, PA
Nov. 1-5 Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mechanicsburg, PA missions conference
Nov. 9 Good News Baptist Church, Northfield Falls, VT (tentative)
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
May God bless you as you serve Him.