Prayer Letter #4

Far Away and In the Future

As most of you know, I am presently working as an Associate Missionary with OMF in the National Office as the Serve Asia Administrator.  This is the Discipleship program that sends out Short Term Workers to East Asia.  I am loving this position (most days J).  However, this is not the long term goal for me.

I am appointed to the Mekong Team in North Thailand to work long-term in the future.  I have been writing that phrase so much that in many ways it seems to be so far away and such a long time in the future.  But the future has a way of catching up with you when you least expect it.

In March I had the opportunity to visit Chiang Mai (where I will be located) to meet the people and to get an idea of what my role will be.  Suddenly, Thailand does not seem so far away at all.  I immediately fell in love with this country and the people.  It was an experience that I am so grateful for and one I will never forget.  You can follow my blog for more stories and information on my trip.  I will be writing in more detail both there and in the coming months about my trip.

So Thailand is not so far away but it is still a long time in the future, right?  When I returned from Asia on April 4^th I received word from the Candidate Department about the deadlines for the coming year or so.  Being an Appointee with OMF means that there are certain things that need to be done by specific times in order for you to move to the next step.  Some clearances (that’s what they call approvals) have already been done but others are still in the process.

For example, I have already received partial Medical Clearance and the rest will be done this winter.  But there are still things that need to get done. The big ones are the two Support Clearances.

Prayer Support: I am now at 97 Confirmed Prayer Supporters.  OMF requires that I have 100 but I am striving for more.  If you would like to be on that list please let me know.

Financial Support:  As of my April report I am at 12.26% of my total support figure.  I have a long way to go but I am praying and trusting God that He has a plan.  Please pray that I am able to be patient and willing to let Him be in charge without stressing too much about it.

COUNTDOWN!!!                       

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”

OMF has times for things too... like Deadlines for Registration!  In order for me to attend the Orientation Course (before heading to my Language study) I need to have ALL of my Clearances.  I am praying, planning and hoping to be attending OC in July of 2013.  In order for me to be allowed to attend this OC I need to have clearance by MAY 1, 2013. 

This means that I have 1 Year to get everything in order.  If you know me at all you will realize that I am stressing about this somewhat.  I know that God is in total control and He knows how and when things will come into being.  I am working on putting my trust in Him completely each day.  Some days are better than others of course.  Please pray for me and for God’s Will to be done.

Presentations and Speaking Opportunities

If you, your Church or anyone you know would be interested in hearing about my ministry, the Serve Asia Program or the work in East Asia, please feel free to contact me to set up a time.  I would love to meet with you and share.

Praise Items

      God gave me safe travels and a wonderful time in Thailand

      I had a wonderful vacation time with my family

      I was able to have really good interactions at MissionsFest.

      For the 28 Serve Asia Workers that are approved at the present.

      For my wonderful supports and Friends

Prayer Items

      For the Serve Asia Training that will be taking place on May 18^th and 19^th.

      For the 6 SAWs that will be at the training.

      That I will have patience as I wait for God’s will to be done.

   For my Clearances to come in on time

 

OMF International, 5155 Spectrum Way, Bldg. 21, Mississauga, ON. L4W 5A1

Toll Free: 1(888) 657-8010

Jen Oates, 20 Graydon Hall Drive, Apt. 414, Toronto, ON, M3A 2Z9

Cell: 647-223-3952

E-Mail: Oates_jen@hotmail.com

Blog: http://jen-journeytoasia.blogspot.com,

Skype: jen.oates7,

 

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