Dear Team,



I wish you much joy and blessings in this New Year! Last year was great and filled with God’s goodness. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. The fact that you are all praying for me is the biggest blessing and strength in my life. God is always faithful and I am grateful to our Lord. It gives me so much joy to see how He is using me in different districts and villages here in my area.

In my area, it is very rare to find people with Christian literature, and even more rare to see children with Christian books. Most children are exposed only to Hinduism, not to the Gospel or a story from the Bible. The Lord has given me a great burden for the children. They are the next generation. I was greatly blessed to be able to get and distribute many books that are composed of Bible stories. These books are for different ages and grades, from very young kids to teenagers. They cover stories from the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.

As I visit the villages with these books, the children are very open and excited to hear the stories. This is the first time they saw books like this, and they are able to hold them in their hands. They value these gifts.

When I visit them, I divide them into groups based on their age and grade in school. I assign a leader to each group and ask them to read out loud, so that the others who cannot read can understand.

I was also able to bring Bibles and give them to the kids who have a heart to learn the Word of God, who are also able to read and write. As I continue to visit them, I plan to spend time with these children and help them understand God’s Word. 

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Isaiah 54:13

In one of the villages I visit regularly, there is a young girl whose family I have been ministering to. This young girl was the first in her family to give her life to the Lord. Her faith has drawn her family closer to Him. She is in 10th grade and has become very busy, but she still has an interest to serve.

I have asked her to read these stories to the younger children that are unable to read and to even help them as they pray. The children love her and pay close attention as she reads. I am praying that this young girl will continue to draw closer to the Lord and grow a heart to serve Him.

I am asking God to raise up many young men and women like her in every village I visit. It is so easy to focus on having a career and the things of life, but I hope these young people can understand they have an even brighter future serving the King of Glory.

When I reach the areas where I do ministry, sometimes the parents are out in the agricultural fields working, but they invite me to teach their children. The children are usually with their grandparents at home. When I gather the kids, the elderly people are nearby watching the children and listening to what I share. Sometimes the grandparents might not be interested to come on their own, but because their grandchildren are interested, they will come and learn in the process. God is wonderful! His Word never returns void.

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

I am seeing how the Lord is working, how He has a purpose in all things. He has given me vision to see these children as the future generation to carry the Gospel to my nation. My nation is full of darkness, but if these children come to know the Lord, their lights will shine so bright for Jesus and change this land. His work is not only for the future, it is for now as well. He is moving today and He is carrying His Word forth.

Please continue to pray for my mother’s health. It is winter here. This is the most difficult season for people who have trouble with their respiratory system!

God bless,

Pastor 7*

*Names and faces have been changed or omitted for security reasons.

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

   -(Mark 4:20.)

We didn’t understand before, but when we read the above verse, which is spoken by our Lord Jesus, we see this can happen in the present day. It did not happen in our early days of ministry. But thanks to God, this has happened in the recent days! We believe it will happen in the future too. We are waiting for this miracle to come. May God bring revival in our country!

Some Thirtyfold

Our Calvary Bible Institute had 30 young students. We are so thankful to our God, who gave us the opportunity to disciple these young people.

In November we were able to graduate 10 students in our Bible College. Some of the graduates are already serving the people. We see that they are already ordained by our God for His kingdom. God brought these students from different parts of our country so we believe that they will be serving

in different parts of the country. These students love God’s Word. Hopefully they will make His Word known everywhere and wherever God leads them.

We can tell that these students have a serving heart. We believe that they will serve God and that they are sold out to God. We see some of them as apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. Please keep praying for these young people.

Some Sixtyfold

A couple of years ago, one of our students, named Joshep, graduated from our Calvary Bible Institute. Now he is serving in the eastern part of the country as a Pastor in his community. He loves God and loves people. He went back home to help his father in ministry. While he was helping his father, he started to teach and share the Gospel. This has led so many people joining the church. There are now young people, old people, and people from many different tribes who are coming to Christ. Joshep got married and has a year old son. He loves to share the Gospel in the congregation as well as one-on-one. Last month, 17 people publicly made a commitment to Christ. Most of the people were young people. Please pray that God will use him even more in the coming days.

Some a Hundredfold

One of our pastors graduated a long time ago. He is serving in another area of the country. His name is Pastor Milan. He is the youth leader in his district. He leads a once a year youth camp that hundreds of people come to.

Last month, he asked me to teach at his youth camp. Around 500 young people came. These young people love the Lord. Calvary Bible Institute senior students also attended this camp so that they could encourage other young people. These young people were able to study Psalm 103. Many young people are chasing the things of this world, but these young people follow Jesus. We need to pray that these young people will surrender their lives for the things of the kingdom of God.

Thank you,

Anand and Usha and Family

Did you hear it?  Did you hear it? We heard it. The starting pistol…  it went off and the rat race begins. The first thing we’ve decided to do in 2024 is BE STILL !! The tendency is to hit the ground running, I’m sure we’re not alone but Jenn and I have decided to be still and know that He is God. We’re not going to try to catch up on any undone business of 2023. We’re not going to try to check off our to-do list or New Year’s resolutions of 2024 before we learn to practice the art of being still before our great God and king. We were grateful to be able to have a week of downtime between Christmas and New Year’s. 2024 started off with a short week in the office, followed by a weeklong time of prayer and fasting that our whole church engages in.

I heard somebody say the other day  “no one is as busy as I am” ! That saddened me, but I begin to wonder if the same could be said of us.  I think we are all the equal amount of busy, there are only 24 hours in a day, but just exactly what are we busy doing? That’s what Jenn and I have begun to pray about.  Ministry matters and affairs around the church have to be tended to but people matter more and being still before the Lord matters even more than that. 

THROWBACK TO 2023

We had the opportunity to serve at one of the church plants, Calvary Chapel Pedregales in Tijuana, Mexico. Taking Christmas shoeboxes and being part of an outreach for the community was such a blessing. SGWM missionary Deanna Jevas has been serving down there for 20+ years.  I love her testimony where she committed 1 year to serving at the church and now she doesn’t ever want to leave.  Deanna runs an afterschool program/soup kitchen with 40 children ages 6-12. She also oversees the Children’s Ministry at CC Pedregales, as well as correspondence for groups that come for short-term missions trips. She’s an amazing lady and friend and we were honored to be a part of blessing the families in the community.  The children there are very poor so several of them wanted to wait to open their gifts on Christmas because it is the only gift they will receive.  Please pray for these children and their families, that they would come to know Jesus and attend CC Pedragales. We love serving alongside each other, we provided the craft for the children ages 3-12yrs old.  The theme was the “birth of Jesus” in the manger.  

As you know we recently began to be able to serve together as a couple in this new season of our lives.  One of the things we love most is pouring into the missions training students, discipling and teaching them the ways of the Word.  We also get to provide housing, transportation, and a safe place for the students to pour their hearts out. One of the really cool and kind of unexpected things we love is discipling the students who are engaged and married. It’s crazy to sit back and look at how good our Father is by raising these like minded youngsters up to marry and be sent out to the mission field! AND they want to hang out with US!! Tim and I love every minute of it. 

Another one of the blessings over the years has been to host and visit with missionaries around the world here on furlough. We had some great times in our home with Vincent and Melissa Aniku from Uganda. They are dear friends of ours, and we love to spend quality time. Before we closed out 2023 we had a wonderful opportunity to have dinner with some friends of ours from Uganda. They were at our home and shared the wonderful works that the Lord is doing there. We are hoping to go out and visit them and their ministry sometime before June. Another friend from a different area in Uganda was in the office for one day and Tim got to have great fellowship with him. 

We are thanking our Father for the many blessings He has brought us in 2023.  We are so grateful that we GET to serve the Lord in the capacity He allows us.  As we are reminded, our God is our Provider, Redeemer, our Salvation, and He saved a wretch like us!  We have had our challenges in 2023, but God is faithful and sovereign through it all!

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray for the 2024 Calvary School of Missions and for us as we get to lead this wonderful work of God’s.
2. Please pray for us, as we are implementing some personal disciplines that will enable us to serve the Lord in this capacity for many more years.
3. Please pray for our son Andy as he is still wandering in his wilderness and desperately needs Jesus. Praise Jesus we are able to minister to him and see him frequently. We pray for our Father to renew his mind. 
4. Please pray for wisdom as we navigate this new year in a way that honors God and brings much glory to Him.  This year’s calendar for missionary care and equipping is quite full and opportunities are not lacking.

We love you all so much and thank you for being behind us. You are also part of this ‘Great Commission’!! We are so dependent on and grateful for your prayers and want to say thank you to those who have already joined us in this area. We realize it’s by God’s grace and through your prayers that we are able to serve the Lord the way we do! But if the Lord leads you to partner with us financially, we are in need of additional monthly supporters, and if you desire to increase your already generous support, please know that it would be a huge help. 

Saving Grace World Missions

17451 Bastanchury Rd., Ste.203 Yorba Linda, CA 62886
*Note Pappas support in memo

All for His Glory, 

Tim and Jenn Pappas

January 2024

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

I pray this update finds you well! It’s been a little more than one week of being sent out and living down in Peru. It’s already been a productive time and I am so blessed by all of the relationships that are being grown and the new ones being forged. I’m excited to see all that the Lord is going to do in this coming season and semester. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Right now, there are a lot of people on campus, but many are still to come. It looks like we’re going to have at least a few more people from the states so that will be nice to be able to grow in our Spanish together. If you didn’t know when we took off, we left last Wednesday around 1pm. We were able to talk with someone waiting near us for our flight about where we were going and what the Lord was doing and that began one of multiple conversations where we got to share Jesus. Please pray that those conversations will be seeds that the Lord will water. During our flight to LAX we got to have a great conversation with a college student sitting next to us. She had a lot of questions and I pray the Lord helped us to answer well!  We had about a 6-hour layover in LA so we went to Santa Monica. It was my first time, but Andy had already been there (for those of you who don’t know, Andy is the other missionary being sent out from my home church). We had a good time exploring a little. It was a great way to pass the time and also provided an opportunity to share the Gospel with our driver who was from India named Gouthem. Please pray that those seeds would turn to salvation!

When our second flight was getting ready to leave, there was a man who was having some health difficulties, so the flight ended up being delayed by a couple of hours. As far as I’m aware, things ended up being okay. There were several people who were health care workers flying with us so that was a blessing. We got into Lima a couple hours later than anticipated—right at the time we were supposed to start boarding our flight, which led to a 7-hour layover until our next flight. Praise the Lord there was no lost luggage, and only minor delays. During our layover we went exploring a little in Lima and I got a much-needed haircut. We quickly realized that we weren’t in Santa Rosa anymore as we began to feel how hot it was outside. Thankfully we packed accordingly!

We arrived in Trujillo around 8:15/8:30pm Thursday night. We got all settled in as they already had a place picked out for us. We’ll be staying with the guys in the guy’s dorm for now. I’m excited to get to know them all better and to be able to speak Spanish more and more. On our first day here, we got to say hello to people we haven’t seen in a long time and met some new faces as well. They showed us the ropes and we got right into working on some projects. There’s already a lot that has changed since our last visit, but there’s much more to come! All the growth that is taking place here in Trujillo is very encouraging. Not only that, but the new CBI campus is starting up in Brazil this semester!

Right now, we’re working on finishing up a new storage unit next to the current men’s dorm, and then we are going to begin prepping the floor for the new men’s dorm that CC the Rock is going to come and build. I even get to do cabinets, so when things slow down with the priority projects, I’ll be working on some cabinets in the kitchen and doing some things with the coffee shop as well.

The Spring semester starts on Feb. 13^th, and I’m excited to help receive new students and some old ones too as not everyone is here yet. This Tuesday we’re going to get to see more what our roles will look like ministry-wise, and how we can pour into the students, make disciples, and be a blessing to the campus. Outside of our time helping in our ministry roles here and with construction, I’m trying to spend as much time as I can to grow in my Spanish speaking ability. Thank you all for your prayers with that. My Spanish is already getting better, and there’s a lot of work ahead.

How to Get Involved:

Thank you so much for all your prayers, generosity, and support as I’ve come out on the field. It’s been an overwhelming blessing, and I’m really excited for what He’s doing. Right now, my greatest need is prayer. I want to honor the Lord and walk in all that He has for me to do here. If you feel so led, I think the greatest physical need is monthly giving and support. Your giving makes outreach and ministry possible, as well as opens doors to provide for physical needs as well.

Prayer:

• to be open to whatever the Lord has
• to be flexible
• to grow well in this season
• to learn Spanish quickly
• to aid however I can in the growth and development of the students and to help them understand and realize God’s call on their life through prayer and His Word
• to be faithful in the little things as well as the big
• to be an example of how a Christian man ought to conduct Himself in every way
• for physical growth as we train at the gym and are able to use that weekly for a Bible Study to reach the wrestling/jiu-jitsu/MMA gym
• continued prayers for my family’s health back home

Thank you for your prayers and support, Dios te bendiga,

-Jordon

Hey family! I hope you are all doing well and your new year started out great! The new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and give thanks to God for the good that He has done and look ahead to what He wants to do in the future. I want to share with you the ways God has been comforting me and teaching me. I hope you are all encouraged!

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will compete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Philippians 1:6 

We started off the new year with a week of prayer and fasting as a church body. This was something that I had never really done before, so I was excited to see how God was going to move. I have fasted before but am always so busy when I do, so I don’t put much emphasis on my prayer life. This time my week was filled with praying, reading His Word, and worship. It was hard and I felt weak every morning getting up from my bed ( I was okay!), but I felt that the Lord was strengthening my spirit, I was drawing near to Him and He was drawing near to me and I loved every moment I had with Him. Of course, while seeking Him, I was also seeking answers, but I knew that the Lord would reveal those details to me when He wants to. But He was revealing other things. It’s like the Lord was cleaning out my heart. The things that were not of Him, he was throwing out and I saw that. One thing I was convicted of was not having big faith. When I pray, I give my requests to God, but sometimes I find myself asking but not really believing. There were certain things that I just couldn’t see play out (being completely honest here). But God convicted me. Who am I to doubt the creator of the universe? I devoted more time to praising Him in my prayers and making requests for everything that the Lord put on my heart, and being more aware of how God is answering prayers.

We also had a time of prophetic prayer. There were a group of people with the gift of prophecy who came and prayed with individuals in the church. This is a gift from the Spirit that is meant for edification and exhortation (1 Cor. 14:3). This was a sweet time. After they prayed over me it felt like God just gave me a big hug. He hadn’t forgotten about me. He has me where I am for a purpose. This was something the enemy was discouraging me with, but God reminded me through other people who knew nothing about me and even during my time with Him, that He is doing something and it’s going to be great. Not because of who I am but because of whose I am, because of Him! He continues to reassure me still and I am so in awe of the work He is doing. My heart is full…

So, with that. I am trusting this process. I don’t know what exactly God wants to do. But I know that He is equipping me, taking me through His process, so that I can do His will and that is what my heart longs to do, what He wants. I desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

God is stirring up hearts

There are many things happening! Many students are on their way to vision tours (where they visit places God has put on their hearts and pray to see if this is the place He wants them). Other students are staying here, as we continue studying and serving, and being diligent in praying for them. I am grateful that God is answering prayers and sending people into His harvest and I am still praying for this. I am also praying that God would send people into the Unreached. I have shared the statistics with you all before but just to remind you. There are still 3 billion people who have not heard the gospel and never will unless someone goes to tell them. Only 3% of missionaries are going to the unreached, the other 97% are going to places where the gospel already is. This leaves 1 person for each 250,000 people who have never heard about Jesus. I am seeing hearts being stirred to go to the unreached but we must still pray that God would send people into these hard places. Pray that He would open doors into these countries and that we would see the unreached, reached. I encourage you all to share the Gospel where you are and keep praying for the world. God loves the world, so we should too.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus' last words to His disciples, this is The Great Commission 

I thank you all for your support. I am very grateful to have such awesome brothers and sisters in the Lord who are constantly encouraging me and praying for me. If you have any questions, I am always open to answer. Let me know how I can be praying for you guys as well.

Prayer Requests

• That God would give me wisdom and boldness as I share the gospel with the people around me.
• Pray for students on vision tours and the students staying back.
• Revival in the church!

Praise Reports

• Praise God for the open doors that He has given me to share Jesus with people close to my heart.
• For the work He is doing here at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace.

It’s been quite some time since I last wrote and I have plenty of exciting news. In the past 4 months, much has happened and I will briefly sum it all up so you don’t have to read pages upon pages of information. Let’s get right into the reports.

What Happened after Mexico?

In the last newsletter, I wrote I was in Mexico. About a week later I was on my way to Israel. I spent the following 3 months in Israel with Study Tour Israel or Calvary Bible Institute Israel (CBI). I was able to connect with a small Jewish Russian congregation in the Golan Heights. During the first half of the trip, we were able to tour lots of the southern parts of Israel and got to explore all the various biblical sites and experience Jewish culture, as well as daily life in Israel. About a month and a half into my stay in Israel, on October 7th, tragedy struck. Around 1,500 people were butchered in their homes and over 200 men and women were taken captive by Hamas terrorists. Our hearts were broken when we heard the news. Soon after, war broke out and the Lord shifted the direction of our time in Israel. Sadly, the majority of the group was either called home or chose to leave due to safety concerns. I along with the director of CBI Israel and his wife (Spencer and Kylie) and the pastors of the Jewish Russian congregation (Steve and Misha) began to aid another local congregation and prepare meals for Israeli soldiers. This group soon began to cook home-cooked curry for the soldiers stationed all over the Golan Heights. It was through this experience that the Lord taught me so many things, I wish I could tell you it all, but for time’s sake, I will keep it brief.

One of the most important lessons I learned was truly how great the need there is for people to lay down their lives so that others may come to know Jesus. During my time in Israel, I met a girl on a bus to Jerusalem (and no this isn’t some Hallmark love story) we talked for about 2 hours and I got to share with her about Jesus. We had a long conversation about Jesus and why I believe he is the Messiah. Not only that, but I got to share with her how God has personally transformed me. During this time she told me she lived on a Kibbutz or a farm town of about 100 people. The next day, it dawned on me that I am most likely the only Christian she will ever meet in her whole life. Israel is not like America where there are churches on every corner where she can hear the gospel or be discipled. The point of that story is that the need is so great for people to go to these places where the Gospel isn’t so people can come to know Jesus.

What Now?

Since coming home from Israel I believe God is leading me to the mission field, where the need is so great. I recently began the first step of the process which is to wait. However, this isn’t a passive waiting but an active waiting upon the Lord. About 3 weeks ago I joined the Missions Training Program at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace in Yorba Linda, California. This program is designed to disciple those who may sense a calling to the mission field but don’t know how to get equipped. During the time I will be here, I am attending classes and serving at the church to prepare myself for the mission field. It has been quite an adjustment but God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose and I am learning to trust that promise.

Prayer Requests / Praise Reports

• Join me in praying for the peace of Israel and the equipping of the saints for the spreading of the gospel which brings true peace
• Lift up Steve and Misha for protection and opportunities to share as they are still ministering in Israel
• Pray for me as I begin working a secular job again, that I might have opportunities to share about Jesus
• Pray that God will transform me throughout the process of this program
• Praise God that He has provided a place to stay and a job
• Praise God has been faithful to provide for me financially
• Praise God that He is already working on my heart and will continue his work

I would like to thank all of you who prayed for me during my time in Israel, I truly believe that if it were not for your prayers and for all of those who reached out I would have lost hope. So, thank you again for all the support. If you have any questions regarding anything please, feel free to contact me. Until next time, God bless you.

Hello Friends and Family!

As we near the end of the first month of 2024, we look back on last year with gratitude for all that the Lord has done, and for your faithful partnership in prayer and support; and we also look forward to what the Lord has for our family and ministry through the rest of 2024 ahead of us. Please see below for an important prayer request as we begin this year!

Amy and I are now the proud parents of a kid in “double digits,” as our precious Maggie turned 10 this month! Time is truly flying by, and we are soaking in all that we can with the kids. They are all doing well and flourishing.

As far as ministry goes, the church and running Missionary Care at SGWM keeps me busy. Our young adults group is growing both in numbers and spiritual depth, and we can’t believe what God is doing there! On the missionary care side, there were a lot of missionaries in town over the holidays, so I did a lot of planning for that and spending time with them. And this month, we have the privilege of sending our five new missionaries to unreached countries straight from our church. All glory to God!

As far as travel for this year, my hope and prayer is to make it to Uganda, my first time in Africa, in June; then deeper Mexico and Japan in the Fall, all for missionary care for established works and works just in their infancy. Of course, all of this is subject to change and is in the Lord’s hands.

We do have a personal prayer request for you all: We are in the middle of figuring out what to do next as far as housing. The housing market is not friendly right now for a single-income family of six on a ministry salary! We are not sure whether the Lord wants to provide for us to stay where we are right now, or whether He wants to provide to move to a new house, as our current lease is up at the end of February. We are waiting on Him and trusting Him, as Amy and I received a very specific prophetic word for us during this month’s week of prayer and fasting with our church: Provision. We know He will provide, but we want His wisdom and to know His heart for us. Will you please pray with us to know and walk in however He wants to provide for us?

We would love to keep you updated on our ministry via our newsletter email updates if you are interested. You can sign up for those by clicking the link below:

Email Updates

You can also become a one-time or ongoing financial partner with us by clicking the button below, or by mailing a check made out to SGWM with “Joel Garcia” in the memo line to 17451 Bastanchury Rd, Ste 203, Yorba Linda, CA, 92886. 

Love in Christ,
Joel, Amy, Maggie, Harrison, Jude, and Clara Garcia

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” 

Proverbs 3:6

Our lives and ministries have been quite active since our last update in early December. We continued our regular ministries, work, and partnerships (Precious Women, churches, Light Times, and others). From the beginning of December to the end of January, I have been teaching Apologetics (and Evangelism) at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute (CPTI). The students were very engaged and kept up with the lectures, class discussions, and asked good questions. I have been teaching this class at this seminary (founded and run by Korean missionaries) for more than ten years and am blessed to have been used to equip hundreds of Cambodian Christian leaders.

In early December, God allowed us to become uncomfortable in our apartment building. We lived in the same apartment building since 2016 even though we changed units a few times. To make a long story short, God opened the doors for us to move to a better place, with a better environment, closer to Benjamin’s school, etc. The place was completely unfurnished so we had to purchase and install some major appliances and equipment, but God opened the doors for that as well. We were able to move during Benjamin’s Christmas vacation with the help of some Fijian brothers. The move was a step of faith. The day after we moved in, the transmission went out on our car and the mechanic found many other problems (brakes, steering, and an oil leak). This was also a step of faith for provision.

God worked out the schedule of the move, housing set-up, and car repairs so that they didn’t interfere with hosting ten visitors from Japan for four days and then one more retired woman from that group stayed with us and worked alongside Kayo for another week. During that time I was sick for a few days.

Now, I am gearing up to start teaching Apologetics and Evangelism 2-3 times a month at Faith Family Church and also to equip and train the teachers at Sonshine Kids International School (connected to Faith Family Church) on the spiritual and Biblical aspects and foundations of Christian education.

Please pray for wisdom and strength for us as we continue with our existing ministry activities and possibly expand into new areas with current and new ministry partners in 2024.

In Christ’s Love,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

It’s been too long, but I’m excited to be here writing my first newsletter of 2024! 2023 was a year of God’s faithfulness in ways that I can’t even begin to fully describe, but those of you who know me know this! To think where my heart was, my head was, not more than a year or so ago; all I can say is that God is faithful, so faithful. Missions wasn’t a blip on my radar, let alone all else that has come about. There is a lot going on, so I am eager to share with you all, family, friends, and followers, what His continued faithfulness looks like right now.

As mentioned, 2023 was a blessing of a year, and the way it played out was something I could never have predicted. Among the many things that the Lord gave me this last year, one of the most special blessings has been the church family at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace. It is a place, a body, a group of believers where to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Something that came to my mind recently is how special it is to be in the Lord’s will, exactly where He wants you. In this, you so clearly see just some of the ways in which He perfectly moves and works all things for His glory and for your benefit, but you also get to see His movements in the lives of those around you; it is not about any one of us, and it’s not even about all of us! All glory, honor, and power is His. There is a fellowship in Christ that the world desperately longs for, so many just don’t know. Oh to taste and see that He is good!

Missions Training School

The Missions Training School at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace has been such a change of pace to my schedule, one that I am still adjusting to, but it is an invaluable resource, and the Lord is moving in this place. I am grateful… I’m grateful for the hours of sermons that we listen to, the many books on teaching, missions, the heart of God, the growth in learning to study properly, learning to teach God’s Word, and learning the importance of availability in ministry. The school is teaching me the importance of commitments, in a new way. Answering to man is one thing, and we ought to represent the faithfulness of the Lord in all our dealings with one another, but how much more ought we to hold to our commitments before the Lord, in light of who He is and all of His faithfulness?

1 Samuel 13:14 – “The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart…”

I feel called to missions, I know this, but I do not know where in this world or when. One thing that is clear to me is that I want to be like David, a man after God’s heart. Through our studies in 1 & 2 Samuel, it has been made more and more clear to me that no country, people group, or achievement for the kingdom of Heaven can be the goal. My call to missions, my call to ministry, my call to anything is only a call; yes I must obey, and yes I must work out my salvation, I must walk in faith. But the goal is always the same, the goal is Jesus, even when that goal feels like sacrifice. Just as Jesus prayed, “…not My will but Yours be done,” so I seek to daily pursue His will. There is nothing better than Him, so my will is rendered dead before His; what a joy!

In the passage mentioned above, the kingdom of Israel is taken from Saul and given to David. What is a man after God’s heart? It is a man who loves the Lord with all of his heart, mind, and soul. A man after God’s heart is one who knows that the LORD is the goal, and that He is the only love; all else falls where it will, but the Lord is his all and his only. This kind of man knows what he has, the sweet inheritance of heaven, yes! But what’s more, this kind of man has a relationship with the Almighty, and nothing else should matter more. As I mentioned at the beginning, missions wasn’t on my radar not much more than a year ago, but God has led me here; how will He not perfectly keep me and sustain me through what His will has yet to reveal? How could I doubt? I pray to be a man after God’s heart, not a man after his own idea of God’s heart. The real thing is what it’s all about, and I pray that all of you can know this… our goal is for the whole world to hear, to hear of the love of Jesus Christ, for He is the one and only way to life, and even better, to communion with the Father.

Indonesia

In three weeks we have a team flying out to Indonesia. It is going to be an incredible time of seeking the LORD and seeing firsthand what the books and classes have only told us about! It is going to be a time of seeking God’s will for our lives and for the lost people groups of Southeast Asia, all for the sake of the gospel being spread. It is a part of the world where darkness is evident; spiritual blindness, misguided religions, and hopelessness will surely be palpable. But greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4); we could not ask for a greater confidence than that our God goes before us, and that His work on the cross has defeated the power of sin; His ascension has defeated death! The world must know, and so we go.

I have purchased plane tickets, but for what we’ll be doing on the ground I am still in need of around $700. I have no concerns, as I know that the Lord will provide all that I need as I need it, as He always has. Should any of you feel led to partner with me financially, the link is attached below! Your prayers are absolutely essential. Prayers for the people of Indonesia who’ve never heard the gospel, prayers for the leaders of this team as they seek to ensure that our time is spent well before the LORD, and for us team members, that our hearts are set after God alone, our ears open to His voice, our eyes fixed upon Him, our hands open to do His work, as our feet take us where the Light of Christ has never shined.

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.”

In the same vain of thought as mentioned before, the beauty of God being all that He is is that His ways overwhelm my ways, and His heart overwhelms my heart. Psalm 63:3 says, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.” The lovingkindness of God is better than life; His presence is the fullness of joy, and He is always present. I pray for myself, the team, the body at Saving Grace, and every one of you reading this, for rest in the grace of God. The freedom of the verse above lies in the truth that this world is not my home; my home is the House of the LORD, where I will dwell forever (Psalm 23), thanks be to God. Until then I am here to be used exactly as the Father wills, in order to bring as many as will hear His voice and follow Jesus into His glorious presence. There’s one Way, one Truth, and one Life, and His name is Jesus Christ. I’ll gladly wear His name.

If any of you have questions, concerns, or need prayer, I am available and, more importantly, I’d love to hear from you and talk with you! Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

PRAISE REPORTS:

• The LORD’s faithfulness in this past year; using all circumstances to remind me of my desperate need for Him, and then to lead me into deeper fellowship with Him and His people.
• The vision tour to Indonesia; the LORD’s faithful leading, and His making a way for the gospel in the wilderness of Southeast Asia.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• For the people of Indonesia; that the LORD would bind the enemy, and that the name of Jesus would sweep through their hearts like a mighty wind!
• For the warfare that has already started for myself and the team. God is absolutely in control.
• For the remaining finances that I need; the LORD will always provide.
• For my heart to be after the LORD, in all things, all seasons, all places, always!

Happy New Year fam! I’m praying the Lord continues to shine His face upon you this year and may His peace + love overflow in your life and to those around you. The year ended on a small bump, but it started off with a great blessing.

Yes, use me for Your glory
Oh God
Here am I, send me
Yes, pick me up and write Your story

SONG: ISAIAH 6 BY LINDY COFER + CIRCUIT RIDER MUSIC

Nothing is Impossible

Okay- now to the good news! I still am speechless and in awe, however, I want to share the past couple of weeks with y’all. It was a rough last week of the year- falling into doubt and unbelief and questioning the decision to continue in Missions Training School. I started feeling anxious about my finances and I decided to take matter in my own hands (never a good thing). I applied for jobs and immediately after, I felt convicted. Not because applying for jobs is bad, it’s great, I still have a job. However- that is not what God wanted me to do. I prayed, I confessed, and I asked the Lord to open a door- whether more hours coaching, or another client. And He did just that- He heard my cry for help and He answered me.

A couple days later, I was studying at my favorite coffee shop, studying God’s Word, reflecting on His faithfulness + kindness, when I notice I received a donation to the Mission’s account. I opened it, and I was speechless. Someone from my church family donated $1000. I couldn’t believe it. I immediately started to weep, give praises to God, and ask Him how He wanted me to faithfully steward His money. That is when I heard, “Japan.” “No way, that’s impossible,” were my next words. Right after, I heard His still small voice, “nothing is impossible with me.” Thankfully, I don’t have access to that account or else I would’ve bought my plane ticket right then and there, but it allowed me to pray for God’s will to be done and for Him to show me confirmation that this was actually from Him. And God is so faithful to do just that!

I was in San Clemente finishing up training my good friend Leslie, when she tells me she has something for me. She asked me if I wanted a box of candies that her Chinese sister-in-law had given her. They weren’t just any kind of candies. Yup, you guessed it… Japanese candies. I was in awe- yet again. I opened the box and inside was a reminder, the title of my last post’s newsletter, Be Bold! And after speaking to the Missions and Senior Pastor, I got the yes to go to Japan for two weeks! All glory to God!

Next Steps

On January 29th, we will be heading down with a small team to Tokyo for one week and Osaka for another week. We will be coming alongside a missionary couple moving to Japan! It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of this new journey with them, to be in prayer with them, and to be able to serve them in any way needed. We will be visiting churches in the local areas, getting to know the people, and embracing the culture.

The goal of this trip is to seek the Lord for His guidance, to pray for the country, and to be led by His Spirit. After two weeks in Japan, we will also be heading to Indonesia for one week. Here we will be visiting local churches and also serving alongside current missionaries there. Lastly, we will be heading to the Philippines for a Pastors and Leaders conference, as well as visit an orphanage.

“Speak, Your Servant Hears”

I pray this is a testimony you needed to hear today- of not only God’s faithfulness and provision, but also of His kindness and goodness. He is so patient and gracious with us when He calls us to serve Him. He doesn’t just call us once, He continues to call us and draws us in closer and closer to Him.

I want to ask you… are you heeding His call? Are you opening your ears to hearing from Him? Are you, like Samuel, replying- “Speak, Lord, Your servant hears,” (1 Samuel 3:10) when He calls? Are you open and willing to go wherever? I had to truthfully ask myself all those questions again.

To be honest with you, I had my own plans. I had my own path laid out for where I wanted to go and how that was going to come about. Through this whole process, these past couple of weeks, God kept reminding me to be available and willing. To remain in a state of complete surrender. To believe and trust that HIS ways are better, not mine. I pray the same for you today, may you also FULLY surrender to His will in your life- may HIS will be done.

Praise Reports

• God continues to show me His faithfulness & how HE is going to provide! He is Jehovah Jireh!
• God continues to strengthen our gifts through Missions Training School & continues to equip and prepare us for full-time missions work.
• God is SO good- I am officially a Calvary South OC Missionary!!!

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for the Women’s Conference next week- I will be sharing my testimony- may the Lord speak through me!
• Please keep Alishia & Jeff, missionaries moving to Japan, in your prayers- for protection, for guidance and for provision.
• Please keep our team heading to Japan, Indonesia, and Philippines in your prayers- may we seek the Lord and hear His still small voice.
• Please pray for the team moving to the Middle East! May the Lord protect them and bless them.

I am still in awe. Never in a million years would I have told you I would be doing what I am doing, but I am truly honored to be a part of what God is doing here on earth. I want to thank you, even more, from the bottom of my heart for your faithful partnership in the gospel- both through prayer and financial support. It is because of your obedience, what God has placed on your heart, that any of this is even possible. I am nothing without my church family. I am eternally grateful for you all.

To the glory and praise of God,

Mayra Alejandra