How are you doing?! I don’t know where you find yourself today, but I pray that you would be, “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” (Eph. 3:16). That you would know beyond a shadow of doubt His love for you, His great desire to draw you closer to Him, and to accomplish His will in your life. In 1 Peter, as he’s speaking of the great living hope we have in Jesus, he says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Then later, in chapter 5:6-7, he states, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” The Lord loves you beyond your wildest imaginings and He displayed it through the giving and death of His Son on the cross. He is doing a work in and through you, and He will be faithful to keep you and complete that work in you (Phil. 1:6). Keep being a light for His glory!
Thank you so much for your prayers and for your support—it is beyond appreciated! I would not be able to do any aspect of missions without each of you. Thank you for being a part of the body and following His leading, to support and pray in the way that you do. For those of you who didn’t know, I was fully-funded to go to Nepal! It was such a blessed time and I look forward to seeing what the Lord will continue to do in Asia with our brothers and sisters continuing the work there.
This trip was a whirlwind! We left SFO on Oct. 17, and arrived into Katmandu, Nepal early morning on the 19th. We gathered our things and went to a guest house where we stayed for the majority of our trip at Bethel Guest House. The next day we got to meet those in charge of the work there in Katmandu and a few of the other pastors who are planting churches and/or helping with the Bible College.
We did some sight seeing that first day. We went to the monkey temple—yes there were monkeys everywhere. Then we also went to a very prominent site for those who are practicing Hindus in India and Nepal to cremate their dead. This was a very sobering place to visit considering our mission. It’s something that really puts into perspective the need to be actively sharing the Gospel and reach the unreached parts of the world. Maybe 3% of Nepal would be considered Christian and the vast majority would be Hindu and are headed towards a Christ-less eternity. There’s such a great need for Jesus and we have our work cut out for us. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. By the grace of God may we be those laborers sent into the harvest!
The next day one part of the group went to the Bible College to teach and minister to the guys and gals there, but I had a bit of a change of plans and went with a couple other Saving Grace guys to a village about 6 hours West of Katmandu. We went ahead to visit a church plant from one of our missionaries there. While we were there we were able to visit another church nearby where we were going to put on a youth conference the next day. During that youth conference there were 4 sessions and I was able to teach one of them. With that, we ate a lot of good food, played games, and got to connect with brothers and sisters from across the globe. On Sunday we joined service at the church plant and one of the visiting pastors taught. Afterward the ladies were able to put on a women’s conference and Pastor Joe and I got to hang out with kiddos and play games and sing worship songs. Seeing the joy on their faces was such a delight!
After heading back to Katmandu, we began to receive many of the pastors and students from other areas in Nepal and Asia as we were putting on a pastors’ conference. One of those pastors is an old friend from my days at Bible college and it was such a blessing to see him and hear about what the Lord is doing in his life. I was beyond blessed getting to speak with some of the pastors and asking them what advice they might give me, a young man getting ready for ministry, and I was very blessed by their counsel. After the conference we were able to watch the students from the Bible colleges across Asia graduate, and what a cool thing to witness! We were able to give gifts of commentaries, clothes, and so much more. A great many of those things they will be able to use in ministry for years to come.
I was so blessed by their hospitality and I think my favorite part was getting to meet and see so many brothers and sisters who are living out their faith in the midst of a culture that can be hostile toward it. I will miss them, and I hope to see them again soon. Please pray for a continued open door for the Gospel, and that Jesus would be magnified throughout Asia. That they would have boldness and strength in the face of persecution! God is good and I look forward to seeing what He will do—He will make a way!
What’s next?
Well, I am going to continue to be faithful in what the Lord has called me to do. Right now He has me directing the Middle School here at the Rock and I need your prayers. I cannot do it without His strength or the power of His Spirit. I need wisdom, guidance, and His love to be present in all I do. Please pray for my team and I as we seek to raise up this next generation for His glory. Ultimately my goal is long-term missions and I am praying about where the Lord would have me be sent to. He knows what is best and I want to make the most of every season of preparation He puts me in; and this is one of them.
In that, there are a couple of missions trips coming up with the church that I am praying about and would very much like to go on. We have one coming up in May to go to Peru for about a week. Then in July we are going to Uganda for a couple of weeks. There is so much opportunity and I know the Lord will provide and lead me right where He wants me. In that, please pray for the Lord’s provision and guidance for whether or not He would have me go on one or even both of those trips.
How to Get Involved:
Please pray:
-for me to lead the Middle School according to His character and will
-that I would make the most of every opportunity to disciple and encourage others to follow hard after Jesus
-that I would have patience in waiting and contentment where He has me
-protection from the wiles and scheme’s of the enemy; to be on guard always
-preparation and equipping for MS Winter Camp at the end of February
-provision and equipping for missions trips coming up, that the Lord would provide for either or both of those trips He would have me go on.
Thank you for partnering with me in taking the Gospel to the nations,
-Jordon