Providence College

It's Friday and I'm sitting in the computer lab at Providence College typing away and getting ready to go back to the displays. It's been an interesting time at Providence here in Winnipeg... the students are so nice, facilities, food, etc. have been great. I just finished off my second seminar entitled, "When Mom & Dad Say No" and though the numbers at the workshop have been disappointing (on average 10 people), I hope the students that were sitting there were challenged and encouraged. It wasn't one of those "hype-you-up" seminars (the YWAM ones were especially popular), but a very practical and meaningful one... hopefully this will be more relevant at Urbana (coming up at the end of this year). Nevertheless, it was good to do a "dry run" and go through some of the logistics of the topic. I've already gotten some interesting remarks from people about their journeys in letting their kids or even letting their parents go on missions full-time. I always find people's stories so interesting to listen to, especially when you see God's hand in their lives =)

It's always really interesting to be at a Bible College and meet people who grew up in the church and knowing the Word...

Anywho, more reflections later... see ya!

Jess

Item for your prayers...

For those that want to pray, here's an item to keep in your prayers: I will be heading to Winnipeg for a Missions Conference at Providence College tomorrow (Wednesday morning) to talk with students about the potential and possibilities for overseas missions. Please pray for the following:

1) I will be leading two workshops (Thursday @ 3pm and Friday @ 1pm) entitled, "When Mom and Dad say No." Pray that the students who are wrestling with God's call to His mission would obey His call, while seeking to honour their parents (I'm going through similar things myself)

2) Good interactions with the students!

3) There would be a stronger interest in reaching the lost in East Asia and beyond!

Thanks so much for your prayers!

Jess

Saturday October 21, 2006

This past weekend was full of activity... Steph is finally married! Wow... I can't believe the year-long planning for one day is finally over... I must say, it was a beautiful wedding. Here are some pics from the lovely day:








Welcome to the family Dennis!

Four Weddings and a Funeral...

I'm now pretty "weddinged out" and my sister's wedding hasn't even happened yet. I've gone to many weddings this year (not as many as some people) and I could already forsee going to more in the near future. So far this year, it's been Chamie; Pynthia; Lawnnie and Janry. It's pretty cool to see people (especially if you know both people) tying the knot and getting ready to spend their lives together... Very cool... I mention funeral in the blog title, because I found the place to relax, exercise and quiet my wandering brain. There is a cemetary right near our place and it's been such a refuge for me (I know... how morbid!). I remember praying while I was in Indonesia that I would find a place of real solitude (because I can't seem to find a good alone place lately!) and God has really granted me that place and so I'm grateful. Sara introduced it to me and I've been going there to lightly jog and clear my head when I'm feeling overwhelmed...

This past Saturday, I went up to Hyal's parent's prayer house up near Oshawa and I really spent some time in intentional prayer and some alone time with God. I went there with the intent of seeking some clear direction and guidance; but rather than finding an ephinany-like answer, I spent much of my day thanking God on all that He has done, is doing and will continue to do... This is interesting to read as we see in Philippines 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." I bolded and emphasize "with thanksgiving" for a reason I guess... Funny how the actual holiday is coming up as well... Before requesting to the Lord about the direction for the "next steps," there must first be an attitude of thanksgiving. Pray that I will have this attitude of thanksgiving =)

To be honest, I do get anxious and worried many times. I lie in bed at nights thinking and pondering about all the needs there are in this world (my mom always says that I carry the whole world's burdens on my shoulders!) that I sometimes can't focus and sleep at nights. However, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." It's good to share in people's burdens (as Bonhoeffer would agree), but we should never feel so burdened that we take matters into our hands. There is such grace and freedom when we give our burdens unto Jesus. We may need to act (as the Lord convicts us to), but we won't be acting out of our own doing, but out of the Lord's leading.

J