Prayer Letter #3

January 2012

Dear Friends,

         So much has gone on over the past few weeks.  When I first started to write this prayer letter, it was just going to be a regular update with some facts thrown in for good measure.  Then something happened that has caused me to think about why I write you.  You have all taken on the task of praying for me and supporting me in this new adventure that I am on.  I will never be able to thank each of you enough for your love and encouragement.

          I will start with telling you a bit about what has been going on this Christmas Season.  I was able to participate in my church’s Christmas Cantata this year.  It was well attended and received.  I will not be able to be a part of the Easter cantata due to ministry activities and I will miss that greatly.  It is so much fun to spend time with the other choir members. 

          Christmas Eve was spent with family (I am told that in the Filipino culture Christmas Eve is family time and Christmas Day is for fellowship).  My aunt and uncle came for Christmas dinner in the evening and it was wonderful to spend time with them.  This was something new for us, we usually have the big dinner on Christmas Day but this year we did something different. 

Christmas Day started early.  My mom’s family gets up early and so in good Beckner tradition my sister and I were up at 5:30 ready to see what Santa (or each other) had left for us.  Thankfully church did not start till 10 this year so that was nice.  We ate brunch before church and then headed out to see the church family. 

          Serve Asia is hopping right now.  There are six people headed out to the field during the month of January and I am busy making sure I have not forgotten anything before they leave.  Friday, January 6^th I ran my very first face-to-face training session (I have done one over the phone already) for two girls leaving at the end of the month.  I pray that I am able to cover everything that needs to be done. 

          On the 8^th of January I attended a conference here in Toronto for the week.  It is an OMF conference for all the Home Staff.  I am looking forward to it.  I started another course this month and am trying to stay on top of all the goings on.

          On New Year’s Eve we received word that a very dear family friend had passed away and this has hit my family very hard.  It was very sudden and words cannot express the sorrow that we feel at having lost him too soon.  The one thing this has taught me is that you need to treasure the time you have.  No one knows what GOD had planned and we need to use our time here wisely. 

          I want each of you to know that I truly do appreciate you and your dedication to our LORD.  I praise Him for bringing each of you into my life.  Thank you for all that you do and may GOD bless you and those you touch. 

Blessings,

Jen

Prayer and Praise

-     Classes start again on the 9^th , pray that I am able to focus

-     Pray for my upcoming trip to Thailand and Singapore in March. (I will speak more on this in my next letter.)

-     Pray for my friend’s family as they have lost a husband and a father and we lost a very dear friend.

Mailing List Message

         Hello everyone.  The cost of Postage is rising in Canada and at the present I am covering all the costs of the mailings myself.  For this reason I am asking if I may send the letters by e-mail where ever possible.  If you are receiving this letter by post and would like to receive my letter through e-mail if you could please send me your e-mail address I would appreciate it. 

Jen