I love new things, and new beginnings. There is something so hopeful about starting out a new year. As a teacher, the beginning of a new semester always renewed my excitement for being in my classroom. It was a fresh start at sharing with my students that which I love. There really isn’t a much better job than imparting knowledge to young (and not so young) minds. I loved it as a high school teacher, I love it as a pre-field missionary sharing about Spain and her people, and I am looking forward to daily opportunities to share God’s grace and love with university students in Salamanca.

I am so thankful for the new life that Christ has given us as children of His, that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. I am so thankful that He promises, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning.”

What great promises to be reminded of and claim for this New Year!

I am thankful for all the Lord has done over the past year for me.  My plan is not always what God’s plan is, but I am thankful that His is better. I am thankful for a Sovereign God who knows what we need, and when exactly we need it.

This year is a new year of claiming God’s promises. It is a new year of watching what God will do, how He will see fit to use me, and how He will use each of us to bring glory to Him.

I am grateful for the amazing prayer and financial support that you give so sacrificially. I am so thankful for how God uses so many of you to be an encouragement to me when I need it most. Most of all I am thankful for how God provides. I am looking forward to the meetings that He has provided in this new year, and for the many doors that He has opened to share the ministry that He has given me to the people of Spain.

Please pray with me that by the end of this year I will be in Salamanca bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Spanish people.

It was a fun day. I got to see, albeit briefly, family that I don’t see often. Those of us who could make it, surprised them during the morning service. Uncle and Aunt had accidentally been told about the celebration and knew something special had been planned. However, they didn’t know that their children and eight adorable grandchildren, and a few others of us, would be there to honor and thank them for their faithful service and steadfast example of lives lived for God.

My cousin, who is also a pastor, challenged us from God’s Word. He used Uncle’s favorite verse, John 3:30 to encourage us, as believers, to live a life sold out for Christ.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Life isn’t about us . . . it’s about Christ. We don’t serve God in Christian ministry for 30 years so that people will celebrate what we have accomplished, but so we can say “Look what God did!” He wants us. He wants us to be faithful to Him. He wants us to be a light in the darkness for His glory. And when we are, there is nothing quite as satisfying!

“Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

It became a favorite after living in Peru for 11 months. But more specifically, after spending time in the jungle.

After a four-hour trip in the back of a pickup truck with about 30 people, give or take a couple, really! (not to mention the chickens and guinea pigs in mesh bags tied to the side of the truck, and the bags of rice and potatoes that also shared the precious space in that truck bed).

After being the first white people to ever visit a particular mountain village.

After hiking through the Andes mountains in the rainy season in knee-deep mud.

After a night sleeping on two benches pushed together (that I should mention were about five inches wide and one was about two inches shorter than the other, but it was about the best sleeping arrangement I had that trip).

After sharing silverware, because even after the people of that village gave up their tableware, there still wasn’t enough for our group of 10 foreigners.

There is a lot more that happened in that jungle, but suffice it to say, it wasn’t a trip that would live up to many Americans’ standard of comfort.

But you know, I think I learned more on that trip than I did on any other trip that year. I learned that when your focus is on God’s leading, provision, and protection, the jungle could quite possibly be the most amazing place you will ever be. It was spectacular. I have never seen anything more beautiful. And the children to whom we were able to minister were so precious!

Not once did I think negatively about the lack of comfort that we were experiencing . . . we may have had fits of hysterical laughter, but that was mostly due to the sheer elation of enjoying tropical weather in February while our college classmates were freezing in the northern climate.  And nothing could compare to the looks on those cute little brown faces and sparkling black eyes when we taught them “Quien es El Rey de la Selva?” (Who is the King of the Jungle?).

I learned something important. Something that, at this stage in my pre-field ministry I have to remind myself of often. When I am busy serving God, not to make myself look good, but to truly be serving Him, there isn’t a thing that I would rather be doing. That “busy serving God” can look so different. It could be spending time in the jungle, or visiting churches every Sunday and Wednesday, or teaching Sunday School, or reaching out to an unsaved or discouraged friend. Or it could be sitting at a desk making phone calls to pastors (and just in case you don’t know, I’m not really a phone person. AT ALL!)

There is a book, Calm my Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow. I have only read bits and pieces of it, but will someday read the entire thing. In the book, she tells “The Secret to Contentment” from a missionary woman. She gives five things that she does to keep her focus on God, and to be content.

1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything. Not even the weather.

2. Never picture yourself in a different circumstance or someplace else.

3. Never compare your lot with the lot of another.

4. Never allow yourself to wish that this or that had been otherwise.

5. Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember it is God’s, and not ours.

There is so much in life to distract us. Much of that “so much” is good. Good things distract us from what we really need to focus on. God has been good to remind me of that. My contentment needs to be found in Him. Always. If I focus on my circumstances, instead of the One who allowed those circumstances, then I can so easily become frustrated and discontent.

Learning to thank the Lord, even for what I don’t understand, or like, has become a challenge that I need (and am thankful for) in my life. We often focus on how we feel about a situation when it is clearly imopossible for us to see the big picture. James reminds us that we are to “count it all joy”, even in trials and tribulations. God wants to make us more like Him, and that is most often done in trying times, when we aren’t comfortable.

“If any other condition would have been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.” C.H. Spurgeon

At times, writing a prayer update can be a difficult task. Mostly because there is so much to write about . . . but sometimes it’s just hard to put in to words what the Lord is doing. So, in light of this month of Thanksgiving, I have decided to just highlight some things that I am thankful for.

• I am thankful for a sending church that loves missionaries. It’s hard to leave after a service there without someone asking how things are going, and hearing assurances of their prayers for me. I know it’s not just for me, though, as our missionaries are just that, Our Missionaries. We know them, hear about them, and pray for them regularly.  I am also thankful for their sacrificial giving, not just to me, but also to other missionaries, and to each other. They give of their time, their finances, and their prayers.

• I am thankful for a mission board that has been faithfully working with local churches to send missionaries across the globe for 92 years. Baptist Mid-Missions is a family of laborers for the sake of the Gospel. The home office staff works tirelessly in Ohio, so that the gospel can be shared, souls can be saved, believers can be discipled, and churches can grow and reproduce. I am blessed to be part of a mission family that has left such a legacy of faithful service to the Lord.

• I am thankful for churches and individuals who have partnered with me in the ministry the Lord has called me to in Spain. Though few of them may ever make it to Spain to see just what the Lord is doing, their sacrificial giving and time in prayer for both the people to whom I will minster, and for myself are necessary to furthering the gospel. The Lord is sending me, but my ministry would not be possible without each and every one of you!

• I am thankful for the team that the Lord is bringing together in Spain. We aren’t all the same; we don’t have the same interests, or the same education, or the same background. But we do have the same burden for seeing the lost in Spain see the light of the gospel. We have a desire to be used by the Lord to build His church, to see the Spanish people learn about and love their Creator. I am so excited to see how the Lord will continue to work in and through each of us to bring glory to Him.

And more than anything, I am thankful for the salvation that the Lord freely offers. I am thankful that, as undeserving as we are, He loves us and even uses us to part of His worldwide ministry. He wants us to serve Him whether it be right where we are, or half a world away.

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Praises

The Lord continues to provide. I have seen a raise in my support, and He continues to open doors for more meetings. I am thankful for the encouragement that He gives through His people. I am looking forward to being in many churches, in several states over the next several months.

Prayer Requests

Thank you so much for praying faithfully for this part of my ministry. The Lord knows that my heart is in Spain, and I wish I were as well. However, this time of pre-field ministry is very important, and I am thankful for what the Lord is doing and teaching me through it.

Please continue to pray for:
* A full schedule
* Support to be raised
* Safety in travel
* For me to be a blessing and encouragement as I visit churches

I Corinthians 1:27

Pray for Spain!

I recently read a Spanish newspaper article talking about the need to “rechristianize” the youth of Spain because 50% do not even know whom Jesus Christ is. It was definitely a good reminder for me to pray. They need the Gospel. Not what the Catholic Church teaches. They need to know who Jesus Christ is, and understand what He has done for them.

It’s often true that people who don’t have God don’t usually seek Him when times are good, when they are prospering. But with an unemployment rate of over 25% (50% for 18-25 year olds), and economic uncertainty, times are not good. What an opportunity to share the Good News of Christ with lost and truly needy people. He doesn’t promise economic prosperity, but something so much better! Would you pray that the Lord would use this time of uncertainty to work in hearts, to make them tender to the Holy Spirit’s working in their lives? Please pray that the Truth of the Gospel would penetrate their hearts and we would see Spanish people desire to know God and serve Him.

Trusting God, Always

The Lord has been reminding me lately that my life as a Christian is to be lived to glorify Him. (I know, that’s knew stuff, right?) He has a plan that is bigger and better than anything I could think up. I’m pretty glad about that, but sometimes I get caught up worrying that I won’t be able to figure that plan out, or that it will be something that I don’t want. Today the Lord showed me several verses that I needed to read. One was Proverbs 19:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” I am so thankful for God’s direction.  Seeking only His direction is something that the Lord has been pounding into my head and heart over the past several weeks.

I know this will surprise you, but I am not perfect. Though I remember always thinking that missionaries were, now that I am one I know it’s not true. That being said, I am thankful for how the Lord changes us. I am thankful that He knows me better than I know myself. The past several weeks have been difficult, but mostly because I needed to learn something the Lord has been trying to teach me. And I am thankful that He never stops making us more like Him.

Keep Praying

The Lord has given many opportunities over the last several weeks to share my ministry. I have had many good contacts, have sent out lots of packets, and have a long list of phone calls that have been, or need to be made. I am trusting God to provide the meetings and support that I need, and covet your prayers to keep me encouraged during this.

Thanks so much for your faithful prayer and financial support. Again, I am thankful that I can count you as partners in my ministry.

“I will do as much as I can, says one. Any fool can do that. He that believes in Christ does what he cannot do, attempts the impossible, and performs it.”

~ C.H. Spurgeon

I read that quote not too long ago, and it has stuck with me. It’s hardto think of God’s grace without thinking of his mercy as well. One of my favorite verses is Micah 7:18. The end of that verse says that God delights in mercy. I have mixed emotions about that. I rejoice that God is merciful, because my relationship with Him couldn’t be what it is if He weren’t. But with commands like love one another, it sounds like I ought to delight in mercy as well. And that can be a difficult command to follow.

I am thankful though, that in His mercy and grace He allows us to serve Him. This summer I was able to be at my home church for two great ministry opportunities. The first was our teen Cola Wars. It was a blessing to hear God’s Word taught, and the Gospel presented. We had a fun time of games as well. But the best part was seeing one girl accept Christ as her Savior.

This past week I was also able to help with our VBS program. I am always thankful for opportunities to be part of planting seeds. We may not always see the fruit right away, but knowing that the Lord allows us to be part of His work is always exciting.

I leave on Thursday for my third internship with CBFI missionaries. I will spend two weeks in Boulder, CO with Tom and Nancy Miller. I am looking forward to seeing a new take on campus ministry and gleaning ideas that may be helpful for my ministry in Spain. I return to Michigan the 8th of September, and have a couple of weeks of meetings before heading off to Wisconsin. I still have a few available dates on my calandar for Septemer and October, but am trusting the Lord to give opportunities to share my ministry. Please pray for safety while traveling, and wisdom while ministering.

Please continue to pray for my support to come in as well. It has been slow, but that doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t working. He has continued to open doors, sometimes in places and ways that I did not expect, and He is providing in His timing.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support. It is always a blessing to know that I can count so many as part of my ministry.

It’s only 7 days away. That probably means nothing to most of you reading this. But if you were Spanish it might be part of your daily conversation, and you would definitely be excited for the chance to see your country defend her title.

I’ve heard people try to compare the Spaniards love of fútbol (or soccer to those of us from the U.S.) to that of America’s love of baseball, or football. But really, there is no comparison. It is a point of pride for most of the world that we as Americans can’t really understand if we have never lived surrounded by it.

I keep reading that Germany is predicted to win. But I don’t think that it would surprise anyone that I am cheering for the defending World Cup and Euro Cup Spanish squad.

I have been reading a lot lately in the Old Testament. Reading of God’s judgment on Israel, of the punishment that they deserve for worshiping idols, for their lack of righteousness…and I am reminded how, each day, we choose to serve God or not, to worship God or idols, to obey His Word or not.

“And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.”  Acts 7:41

Fútbol, like many other pleasures and material gains in Spain, is an idol.  People worship the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who play for opposing Spanish-league teams. They cheer for their Spanish National team as if winning were the only important thing in life. I won’t lie. I want Spain to win. But more than winning a game, or another trophy, I pray that the hearts of the Spanish people would be open to the working of the Holy Spirit. I pray that they would hear and receive the Good News of a Savior that can give them so much more than a championship.

But I won’t be disappointed if you choose to cheer for Spain!

Travel Update:

This summer into the fall is filling up. I have two more internships, in Colorado and South Carolina. I will be on the East Coast for much of the fall, and then back to MI before I head to Florida in February. Please keep praying for the finances that I need, safety while traveling, and for the rest of my schedule to fit together.

Continue to Pray:

Please continue to pray for the country of Spain. I am sure that most of you are aware of the grave financial situation in which she finds herself. Pray that the Lord would use this in hearts and lives, and that amidst trial people would see their need of a Savior.

Pray for my coworkers as well. There are several raising support on deputation, and others who find themselves in need of funds, though they are faithfully serving on the field.

Pray for the many miles that I will be traveling, the phone calls to be made, and for my schedule to work out as I seek to get more meetings on my calendar.

And most importantly, please pray that the Lord would be glorified, and that I would be a blessing to those who I come in contact with while I am ministering here, on deputation.

I trust that you all enjoyed celebrating this past Sunday. I love Easter! If you are a Christian you probably can’t help but love what this day means.

Ever since my freshman year in college I have loved Matthew 28:6

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Though I am sure that I had read that verse before, I very vividly remember it sitting on the windowsill in the dining hall in a picture frame. And it reminded me not only did Christ die for me, but He also rose again…for me. “For he is risen, as he said.” Do you know what that is? It is a promise. And like every other promise that God has made He keeps.

That is one thing that the Lord has reminded me of over and over again. Not only did He conquer death and hell, but every other thing that He said He will do, He WILL do!

That’s a pretty amazing thought…and an encouraging one. He promises that he will provide for our needs, and provide He has over the last month. He provided more support. He provided more meetings. He provided safety on the road. He provided for car repairs that I didn’t even know I needed, nor was I able to afford.

I know that every Christian ought to live a life of faith, trusting God for everything. But I am thankful deputation has been a time for me to learn to trust Him even more. I am pretty sure that when I get to Spain I’ll still need to trust Him, and I am thankful for the practice!

To them which are in Christ Jesus…

This morning I was reading through Romans 8. It’s a chapter that I am quite familiar with, but I was thankful that I read it on Easter morning. It pretty much sums up what Christ did, and why.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

It’s okay, you can read it again…I did. Wow! Christ did that for me. He knew I couldn’t do it on my own. And I certainly am not deserving of what He did for me.

But there are so many people in this world who don’t know, who don’t understand what God has done for them. Right now, on the campus in Salamanca, there are more than 30,000 students who think that they must work their way to God’s grace. Or they are rejecting religion for it’s rigid rules or “law” that has for so long been thrust upon them.

I can’t wait to share what Christ has done for them. I am so excited to be in Spain and see God work in hearts and lives, to see Him transform them and burden them to take His Gospel to their friends and families.

Pray that the Lord would quickly provide the rest of the support that I need to be in Spain. I would leave right now if I could, but am dependent on God and the churches and people that He will use to get me there.

Thank you again for the faithful support that so many give, both prayer and financial. Both are so very important to accomplish what the Lord has called me to Spain to do!

Prayer and Praises

Prayer Requests:

• Quick raising of support so that I can be in Spain
• For the hearts of the students at the University
• That I would continue to grow in my relationship with Christ and that He would use the lessons I am learning on deputation to serve Him better in Spain
• That I would be a blessing to the churches and people I visit while traveling

Praises:

• New financial supporters
• A wonderful month of meetings
• Car repairs paid for
• Safety while traveling
• Good visits with friends

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

The Lord has given me a love for the Spanish people. I know that it is something that can only grow over time, and I am excited to get there and see the Lord do His work and give me a greater love for those to whom I will be ministering.

I read the following article form Credo Magazine and was again convinced that Spain is in need of those who are willing to take His Gospel to lost and needy souls. The Catholic Church has turned so many from desiring religion that they would rather claim to be an atheist than a Christian. They need to see the love of Christ. They need to know about the freely offered forgiveness that comes with faith and trust in Jesus. They need to see it lived out in a practical way. Would you pray for the hearts of the Spanish people to be tender to the Holy Spirit and that they would recognize their need of Him?

Take a few minutes to read the article, [Spain] Missionaries Wanted. I trust that it will be helpful in understanding a little more about the Spanish people and how we can best reach them!

Praises:

• Another CBFI internship completed at Cleveland State University. It was a blessing, again, to see the Lord working on university campuses. I was able to lead a ladies Bible study one day while I was there, and was encouraged by what God’s Word says concerning prayer.
• Safety in many miles traveled.
• More meetings scheduled.
  

Prayer Requests:

• New supporters to partner with me in ministry to the Spanish people.
• A full schedule. Pray that the Lord would open doors in the right churches, and that I would be a blessing to the people that I meet on deputation.
• Safety for a three week trip to Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
  

I had a little craving for Spain...so I made paella and a salad with tuna from Spain!! That may not sound so exciting, but it is once you have tasted it. Paella, which originated in the coastal region of Valencia, is saffron rice with vegetables, and originally, rabbit. Today each region of Spain has its own version of the famous Spanish dish. My favorite, chicken and shrimp!!

I have been visiting our CBFI ministry at FIU in Miami for the past week. Besides enjoying the wonderful weather, the Lord has allowed me to see firsthand some of the amazing work He is doing through the faithfulness of the missionaries here. I have been reminded that He works in spite of us, I sometimes think He allows us to be part of His ministry to remind us of who He is. I wish I had the liberty to tell you some specific stories, but believe me when I say that He is changing hears and lives, and He is using the vision and burden of these missionaries to minister in great ways to these students.

Why Campus Bible Fellowship International . . . in Spain?

If you have read any of my prayer letters at all, or heard me present my field of ministry, or read my website, this may not be a surprise to you: Spain is the least-evangelized Spanish-speaking country in the world. The following is from a fellow missionary in Spain, and gives a good idea of the challenge that lies ahead for those of us God has led to the Spanish people.

“The total number of independent Baptist missionaries in Spain continues to grow, but the country is far from being evangelized. Out of the total population of 47 million, only 200,000 are members of some kind of protestant/evangelical church. There are thousands of towns and villages with no Gospel witness at all as there is only one church for every 18,000 people? When we talk about Gospel preaching churches (correct doctrine of salvation), there may be 300 in the whole country which means that there is one Gospel preaching church for every 150,000 people! And when you talk about fundamental, independent Baptist churches, the ration goes down to one church for every 800,000 people!”

If we truly want to reach the Spanish people, it makes sense that we don’t neglect the younger generations. They are the ones who will more freely tell you they are atheist, that their family is Catholic, but they don’t believe in that. But they are also the ones who are becoming adults who will need to make their own decisions. The presence of humanism is so strong, but God’s Word is stronger . . . and true!

There are 78,000 university students in Castilla y Leon (31,000 of those in Salamanca!). With four public and four private universities, there are only about 50 evangelical Christian students scattered throughout these schools!

Why shouldn’t we target these students? Why wouldn’t we want to fill a church plant with young, eager to learn Spanish students?

“CBFI exists to fulfill the Great Commission to ‘make disciples’ given in Matthew 28:19, 20. Our purpose is to provide sound, Biblical fellowship for Christians, to preserve a Christians, to preserve a Christian witness, to reach out to the unsaved and bring them to faith in Christ. Converts are taught the whole counsel of God, including baptism and local church membership. The goal of CBFI is to see Christian students become faithful, serving members of a good local church so that they will migrate to strong, Bible-believing churches wherever they locate in the future. These are our strengths and distinguishing characteristics.”

Church plating IS evangelizing the lost, discipling young believers, and establishing them in a local church. In a university town, we would be negligent to have a church planting ministry that did not also focus on winning souls of university students.

I am eager to be in Spain! In face, I wish that I were there now. However, the Lord continues to use deputation to teach me more about Him, and how I can serve Him better when I am in Salamanca. Would you pray that the Lord would continue to help me grown more like Him, that I would learn lessons that will only enhance my ministry with the students at the University of Salamanca? Would you also pray that the Lord would fill my schedule, provide the prayer support, and the financial support that is necessary to serve Him in Spain?

I am thankful for the privilege that we have to serve a Sovereign God, and I am grateful for each of you who hold me, and my ministry up in prayer before His throne of grace.

For His Harvest,

Jodi

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the students and staff at FIU to know Christ and to grow in Him
• Pray for the current and future university ministry in Salamanca, Spain
• Pray for open doors and softened hearts that would be prepared to hear the gospel
• Pray for my own spiritual growth and relationship with Christ to be honoring to Him and an example to those whom He has called me to minister
• Pray for continued provision of churches, prayer support, and the financial support that I need to minister in Spain

Praises

• Internship at FIU is going well
• Students at FIU that are being reached with the gospel
• More churches scheduled for this Spring
• More pastoral and church contacts
• Visit with friends in Miami
• Opportunity to present my ministry while in Miami