Renewed Vision, Needed Prayers – Garcia Family Update January 2020

Hello Friends and Family!

With a new year, I always find it helpful to think through where God has us and what He has us doing. I am more convinced than ever of His role for me in world missions using the pastoral gifts He’s given me of leadership, encouraging, teaching, and administration. I have been stirred early this year to “go” more; to go where our international ministries are and strengthen the disciples there (Acts 13:43; 14:21-23). And, in the case of my upcoming trip to Jordan, help establish new ones while making my life a blank check written out to Christ, open to where He may send me short-term or long-term.

Before I leave for Israel (to bolster my biblical education) and Jordan (to pray and seek vision over a potential new SGWM ministry there), I wanted to present our latest prayer needs to you all.

1. Pray that the Lord would use me in Jordan to help guide a few of our interns and others who are praying about moving there long-term. I’ll be praying with them, seeking vision on what God wants for that part of the world through us, leading times of worship for them, teaching some of the national leadership on the ground, and doing some ministry among refugees there.

2. Pray that the Lord would give me vision for my own family. I will specifically be praying for our team there, my own ministry with our local church, and whether the Lord wants us to continue serving from our home in California or to move to Jordan or elsewhere. My prayer is that my life would be all the more surrendered to him after these two weeks.

3. Pray for Amy and the kids while I am gone, as it is difficult for them when I go on long trips. The kids are already having experiences that we equate with demonic spiritual warfare. Pray for their protection and Amy’s strength. Jordan is relatively safe, but it is still a spiritually dark part of the world and the enemy will oppose me going.

4. Finally, please pray for our financial needs as we live largely off of financial support just like our international missionaries. Our rent has just been raised a significant amount, and with 4 kids who are growing rapidly, the cost of groceries and other household consumables is rising as well. We trust the Lord always to sustain us, but we are hoping to raise an additional $350-$400 more per month. Please pray that the Lord may provide for us in His will, whatever amount of support He deems sufficient (Proverbs 30:7-9). If you feel led to partner with us financially, please visit our missionary page under “Find A Missionary” at SGWM.com.

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