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

PL 2 - Announcement

JEN'S JOURNEY

Praise

- Appointment to Thailand

- A good start to partner development

- For the wonderful friends who have been continuously praying for me

Prayer

- Strength as I start another course

- That I will continue to learn all that is needed for my job

- As we prepare for Christmas Events at church

- As I continue Partner Development

- That I would continue to be in good health

GOAL

25 Dedicated Prayer Supporters by the End of 2011
365 Prayer Supporters by my Departure to Thailand!
If you are interested in joining my prayer team please let me know

Where I Am Now!

It is a good thing I love a challenge because this job offers a lot of that. There is so much to learn and so many things going on all the time. I had the opportunity to visit Tyndale University and Seminary this month for their Ministry Fair. I met some amazing people and was able to make some new contacts.

This month I was also able to participate in the CIBC Walk for the Cure with my family in honour of my Aunt Pat, Grandma Oates and another close friend. It was a wonderful time of visiting and catching up with them over lunch after the walk. I even beat my previous time for the 5k walk (2010 – 57 min. 2011 – 49min.). Next year I will do even better.

I am presently starting to prepare and gather all the information for the 2012 teams and working on getting those heading out in early 2012 ready for their trips.

Your continued prayers for strength and quick learning are greatly appreciated.

Where I Am Going!

So it is Official! I am headed to Thailand. I received my field acceptance and am now an appointee to Thailand. I know many people already knew that was where I wanted to go but one of the steps in the long process is getting the approval from the field that they will accept me. It is so nice to feel wanted.

After a year of language and culture training I will be working with the International school in Chiang Mai (North Thailand) with Third Culture Kids. These are the children of missionaries and expatriates that attend the school. I will be working in the residence. This will be my placement for the first term of service.

And Now

For now I am continuing Partnership Development and will be looking for places where I can do presentations. I am working on presentations for small groups and churches. If you would be interested in hosting a small group or know of a place where I could do a presentation, please let me know.

I am involved in my church and will be continuing with that involvement as well.

I will also be headed back to classes (online through Liberty University) starting at the end of October.

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

Toll Free: 1(888) 657-8010

E-Mail: Oates_jen@hotmail.com

Address: 20 Graydon Hall Drive, Apt. 414, Toronto, ON, M3A 2Z9

Cell: 647-223-3952

Blog: http://jen-journeytoasia.blogspot.com, Skype: jen.oates7,