Prayer Letter #7

Jen's Journey

July 2013

 

Going, Going, GONE

I cannot believe how quickly the last two years has gone.  I am scheduled to leave on July 7^th, very, very early in the morning.  It has been great to see so many people and make memories with so many friends. 

I am so blessed and honoured at the vast number of people that have stood behind me and with me as I work toward this lifelong goal.  Seeing so many at the commissioning held at my church on June 9^th was an honour.  I have wonderful memories of that evening that I will never forget. 

My parents are supportive and encouraging.  I have moved home with all of my belongings as I prepare to leave.  I am thankful for their patience as I try to sort all of my belongings into some sort of order.  They have driven me around and supported me as I am emotional during this time. 

Martha has been accepted as an appointee with OMF to Taiwan.  I am so very proud to call her my sister and my best friend.  Please pray for her as she begins her partnership development.  I will miss my best friend but am so very proud of her as well.

Praise                  

-       I have received pledges for the rest of my support! 

-       The conferences went well and God provided many new prayer warriors through that interaction.

-       I finished two more classes and did well in both.

-       I am well on my way to having everything ready for my departure.

-       My 1 year visa came through.

-       For a great time with my family at my commissioning and farewell gathering.

Prayer

-       For safe travels with my July 7^th departure.

-       As I say final goodbyes to family and friends

-       That all last minute details will be worked out.

-       That my work visa will be processed quickly.

-       That God will sustain me as I begin Orientation and Language training.

Important Dates

July                  7^th                    Leave Toronto for Singapore – IHQ

                        8^th                    Arrive in Singapore for Orientation Course  

August            3^rd                    Leave Singapore for Bangkok Thailand

Note: I will be attending Language and Cultural Training in Lopburi.  Please see below for my address in Lopburi.          

OMF International, 5155 Spectrum Way, Bldg. 21, Mississauga, ON. L4W 5A1 Toll Free: 1(888) 657-8010 

E-Mail: Jennifer.Oates@omfmail.com Blog: http://jen-journeytoasia.blogspot.com, Skype: jen.oates7   

Canadian Address:   12 Bingham Road, Brampton, Ontario, L6V 2K1 

Thai Address: Jennifer Oates, C/O OMF, 67 Soi Naresuan 3, Tambon Thalechupsorn, Amphur Muang, Lopburi 15000, Thailand

Prayer Letter #5

Where I Am Now!

One of the favourite parts of my job is when I get to sit with those who are seeking God’s direction for their future and exploring where missions may play into that plan.  Also with those who have just returned from their ministry placement in Asia and hearing all about their experiences.  There is nothing like seeing the excitement they have for what God is doing and having that touch their lives in real and lasting ways. 

I have had that opportunity many times in the last weeks as Serve Asia faces a wave of explorers and inquirers.  This wave is exciting but at the same time exhausting for me.  Please pray that I will be able to be present for each individual God brings in my path and be able to assist them to the best of my abilities.  Pray that each one will have the ministry experience that God would have for them.

Where I Am Going!

With all of the business that is going on right now, it has been difficult to comprehend that I could be and, Lord willing, will be leaving for Asia in a very few short months.  The many things that still need to happen before I can be given the go ahead to leave is getting shorter but there are still a few large steps that need to happen before I can be given clearance. 

Let me explain a little bit about this process.  Clearances are the steps that need to be taken before OMF can let me leave.  These steps have included:

-          Field Acceptance – DONE!  I am approved for Northern Thailand.

-          Home Acceptance – DONE June of 2011!

-          Medical Clearance – DONE as of March 5^th!

-          Support Clearance – This is still being worked on.  I have all of the required prayer supporters in place.  Although I would always welcome more prayer.  J

Please be in prayer that people will step forward to partner with me in my future ministry.  I MUST be at 90% committed support by May 13^tht in order for me to be approved to leave on schedule.  Many have told me they are interested in partnering with me but have not yet indicated this commitment to OMF.  This support does not need to start till I leave but must be communicated to the OMF before May 13th.

Praise            

-       I presently have 56% of my monthly support pledged, this is a 12% jump in the last month

-       I have had a number of opportunities to speak

-       God has granted me 3 amazing churches that have agreed to partner with me.

-       I have been blessed with wonderful friends who are being truly supportive. 

Prayer

-       That I will get the rest of my support pledged before May 13^th  

-       For the conference that I will be helping with in March.

-       For the two conferences in April

-       I am studying on-line with Liberty University and will be taking 2 courses that will overlap  for 3 weeks

-       I am struggling with all of the different aspects of my life and finding balance

COUNTDOWN!

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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

From the date that I am writing this, I have 67 Days till the deadline for my support to be pledged.  If you desire to partner with me please complete the attached response card and send it to OMF Canada as soon as possible.

For more information please contact

Gwyn Matthews

Phone #905-568-9971 ext. 34
E-mail: ca.cca@omfmail.com

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.

Important Dates

March        

8^th and 9^th        From Here to There Conference                                           

18^th                  Second Course Starts (3 weeks for 2 courses)                       

April               
5^th – 7^th            In Winnipeg for Heart For Asia Conference                          
5^th                    1^st Masters Course Ends                                                   
7^th – 12^th          Home Staff Conference in Toronto                                       
11^th – 13^th        Toronto MissionsFest                                                             
13^th                  Connected Women’s Conference                                                
15^th                  Peterborough – speaking                                                       
17^th                  Serve Asia Training                                                                
27^th                  Possible Heart For Asia Conference @ PIBC   

May                

3^rd – 5^th            Pastor’s Wives Plus Conference                                            

10^th                  Second Course Ends                                                               

13^th                  Clearance Deadline

June               

11^th                  Toronto Prayer Group - Speaking

Note:   Serve Asia Training and Debriefing Sessions are still being scheduled

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