Happy New Year
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
- John 14:27
2020 was a year my family and I all described as crazy, different, strange, uncertain, and a little scary. I'm sure there are many more words we could use to describe 2020, but I don't think peaceful would be a word that would make it on the list. What an amazing truth it is that Jesus offers us peace in the midst of a crazy, broken, sin-cursed world! We will never find peace in our circumstances, we can only find it in Jesus alone. In him we have an eternal and unshakable future and hope. Jesus offers us his peace - are we taking hold of it?
Eager to Go, Stayed to Train
After coming to know Christ as my Lord and savior in college, God showed me his heart for the unreached. I knew I wanted to be used by Him in being a part of bringing His Word to those who have never heard it in their own language! He gave me a desire to want to serve in Papua New Guinea doing long term church-planting. Although I would have loved to hop on a plane and move overseas immediately, I can't imagine doing this task without first being trained! I have been going through 4 years of training with Ethnos 360 - 2 years of Bible School and then 2 years of cross-cultural training, which I am completing this semester.
What’s Next?
April 10, 2021 - Graduating from Ethnos360's Training!
Partnership Development
After graduating, my full time job will be to rally a team of people together to partner with God alongside me to be a part of reaching the unreached in Papua New Guinea. I have the privilege of providing opportunities for people to partner with Him in His work prayerfully and financially.
I want to say thank you to all who support me through prayer and financial giving. I could not do any of this without you. Thank you for your generosity to give sacrificially to God. I have been blown away watching Him provide for me through the training and I pray he is providing for and blessing each of you! I am so looking forward to celebrating with you the Kingdom opportunities He allows us to be a part of together! Imagine being in heaven and seeing tribal believers we had the privilege of bringing God's Word to.
Papua New Guinea
I will be moving to Papua New Guinea (Lord willing January, 2022) where I will first do an orientation learning the national language and culture before forming a team and moving into a people group that needs missionaries.
Training Update
Curriculum Development Class
We got to practice developing and teaching Bible lessons we made directed specifically to the Tomo people (the people group whose culture we learned during our practicum through a simulation).
Meet Luke
Praises:
For the quality time spent with my family as well as Luke's family over the holiday break.
For opportunities to witness to people on ski lifts like a Jewish guy named Jake.
For continual improvements in my health!
God's constant love and kindness as he pursues to lead me into experiencing more of His truth!
Requests:
That I would be intentional in learning as much as I can these last 3 months of training, both in and outside of the classroom. Most of the staff has church planting experience and loves to meet up with us outside of class as well!
For Luke and I's relationship and time with our families
That God would grow my in my public speaking ability - I am taking a public speaking elective class this semester from a missionary who church planted in PNG. This is an important skill to have for this job!
How can I be praying for you?
You can let me know by shooting me a text or an e-mail!
With love,
Jess