I Lost Everything…But God
Guys, you have no idea. We have so much to cover about the LORD’s faithfulness over the past month or so, but I will keep it concise. Less about me, more about Him!!
SO! We will start with this, I am back from Southern Africa! Many of you were partnering with the team and I for that trip, and we are so grateful for all of the prayer and financial support we received. Let’s do a quick recap of how the Lord worked through that trip.
We got to work with a special needs school to teach basketball and flag football. Our main goal here was to love on the kids in ways they don’t often get to experience, building up our reputation as Christians to be Christ-like that by the will of God His kingdom would be expanded. We also engaged in conversations with the teachers at the school with the goal of sharing the gospel with them. One of the teachers did end up getting connected with our fieldworker’s bible study and is pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ.
Prayer Request: The students would feel the love of Christ, and the seeds planted would be watered, growing deep roots.
We taught basketball in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Many of them were undisciplined, since they don’t get instruction in the home, but they still show up (BY CHOICE) for the very structured and serious practice that our fieldworker provides. After basketball practice many of the kids would stick around to hear a bible story that the girls on our team got to prepare. Many of them are uneducated, but have a desire to learn.
Prayer Request: The kids in the neighborhood would be blessed with knowledge and understanding and discipline to continue to show up and have the desire to learn.
Our team was also involved in the practices for the woman’s National Flag Football team. Our objective was to create conversations before and after practice in which we could share the gospel. What we learned was that many of the team members have struggled with their sexuality, and have fallen deep into the world.
Prayer Request: The women would have a softened heart, and eyes opened to their need for a savior.
Finally! Our team grew in their own personal walks with the Lord. Coming along side some amazing mature and devoted christians that come from different cultures and walks of life is always encouraging for our faith.
Prayer Request: Our team would continue to fan the flame that was lit in Southern Africa and that they would carry the desire to go deeper in their own communities. That they would seek out active mentorship opportunities, and find someone else that they may be able to disciple as well.
OK! PHEW! Southern Africa was awesome. I have some news…now I am in MEXICO! How did this happen?? Well, a combination of the LORD stripping me of a lot of things that were keeping me comfortable, and the way that He moved my heart while preparing for and leading in Southern Africa. Let’s first touch on why I am in Mexico, what I am doing here, how long I am here. You know the drill.
Q: Why are you in Mexico?
A: Loaded question… I will tell you later. I am sure you’re curious, and I will tell you at the end of the letter, but I will give you a hint. It has to do with the subject line and title of this Newsletter.
Q: What are you doing in Mexico?
A: I am at the Calvary School of Missions with Saving Grace World Missions. At the school, we have class each day to learn about what the Bible says about missions, calling, communication, and unreached people. We get opportunities to lead outreaches in the community, which will look different each time. What I am MOST excited for is meeting missionaries from around the world that I will get to ask questions to and glean from. I am stoked to hear how the LORD called each of them to missions and how they KNEW it was their calling.
Q: How long are you in Mexico?
A: I will be at the school for 4 weeks, and then we will fly to a remote tribe to share the gospel with them for about a week or so, making our total time 6 weeks.
Q: How can we partner with you?
A: Prayer! Encouragement! Sharing a passion and a zeal for unreached people groups! Learning about all the people in the world that have never had the opportunity to know Jesus weighs heavy on my heart. The LORD’s purpose for us is to be in communion with Him and to make Him known to the world. My heart bursts for this, but I cannot do it alone. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but the body plays such an important role (Phil. 4:13). The BODY of Christ comes yoked together to do this work. Not one member is more important than the other, but each coming together cohesively to press the gospel to the ends of the earth. If you feel led to give financially, there is a link at the bottom of this email that will direct you to a place where you can give.
Fine! I’ll tell you. Why am I in Mexico? The LORD took everything from me. If you have been on my newsletter for a little while, you know the LORD has tugged on my heart about missions for some time. Now, while I may have given you brief details of this, it has always gone deeper than many may have realized. I sought counsel in college about ways I could use my degree (Exercise Science) on the mission field. I had heartfelt conversations with some friends and family about struggles I had, EXCUSES actually, for why I couldn’t go into missions.
Before I left for Africa, while I was preparing for the trip, the LORD was stirring up my heart once again. But I stayed in Big Bear. I made excuses like “but I have these jobs for the summer” despite Him gently leading me to take active steps to be elsewhere.
So… I could no longer live in my house, and my next housing situation failed. I had to choose between being homeless in Big Bear, but getting to keep my jobs, OR going home to my parents and being jobless for a month and a half. I am stubborn, so I chose to keep my jobs and live in my car.
THEN it got worse. My car broke down. Now with no house, and no car, I couldn’t live or drive in Big Bear and therefore I could not work in Big Bear. Summer plans = disintegrated.
The LORD gave me a chance to leave on my own first, and when I didn’t listen, He drug me out. LOL I love Him so much for not allowing me to stay in something that He wasn’t blessing. My trip to Southern Africa was for SPORTS DEVELOPMENT. It was so clear. He was answering my prayer of “how do I use my degree in the field for ministry.” I came back home ready to be obedient. Ready to take an active step. All I want is to be walking in the plan HE has for me, not the plan I have for me. And the opportunity for this school fell into my lap. I was done making excuses and I applied. I was the LAST applicant, and two months late, at that. I had ten days to prepare from the time I landed in California to the time we drove across the border.
With all that being said. I am here. I am surrendered. I am open to being a vessel for the LORD to work through. I am expectant that He will. I KNOW He will. And as I take this journey with the LORD, I am kindly asking for your support. I currently still need to raise about $2,200. Unfortunately, schools like this costs money, and money that because of the situation I was in, I don’t have. But I know that where the LORD calls me, He will also provide for me. I am confident in this. More than that, I need prayer! The spiritual warfare is strong where the LORD is doing mighty things. I need prayer for clarity, vision, and strength. I love you all so much and the Father loves you infinitely more.
Love,
Jadyn Burnett
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