Jami’s Journal
January 2010
jamistrandberg@hotmail.com
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Happy New Year 2010!!! It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. It has been a busy few months but through the joys and challenges, God has been faithful.
As we think of new year’s resolutions, may God teach us to number our days -- always ready to give an answer to those who ask of the hope within us, with hearts overflowing with godly wisdom, that Christ may be glorified through our words and actions.
Here are some highlights from the past few months…
MacLIVE in Guadalajara -- I was one of the assessors to give feedback to a group of missionary candidates seeking God’s will for their lives. I also had the opportunity to give a talk on cross cultural evangelism. In small teams we went out into a community and prayed and shared Christ with people in homes, and our team had the privilege of praying with three people to receive Christ. Praise God!
Evangelism Explosion Kids training – At Dunamis Baptist we hosted this training for 14 students, to learn how to creatively and effectively present the gospel to children. In two evangelistic outings, 92 people prayed to receive Christ! Among these were 19 adults that made professions of faith after Pastor Josue and I shared the gospel to the parents. Follow up for the children was met with resistance by local leaders, but we trust that the Lord will complete the work He began in these lives.
Construction at Dunamis Baptist Church – In October we welcomed a construction team from Central Baptist of Sioux Falls, SD. Thanks to their generous help and giving by Dunamis church members and others, the new sanctuary section now has three walls and a roof! While much more work still needs to be done, we rejoice in God’s provision and look forward to using this new addition.
Prayer meetings at Dunamis Baptist -- I have teamed up with Mariana to lead prayer meetings on Wednesday nights. Once I led on John 8, where it talks about “the truth will set you free.” One of our new believers, Alejandra, broke down in tears as she recalled how God had delivered her from her former life. Another night one person said she could really sense the presence of the Holy Spirit among us . May God continue to help us grow in our dependence on Him and love for prayer.
Dunamis Church Planting – I have joined the teaching team of CESI (church planters training) with 10 students. Now in Module II, I teach on Christian character, Bible study methods, and prayer. It is exciting to learn together. We divided ourselves into teams. I mentor two students, and as a team we hope to plant a church in Abasolo. We have gone on prayer walks and once did a survey to learn more about the area and felt needs of the people. Please pray that God would show us how to reach this community with the gospel.
Dunamis has a daughter mission in Ojo de Agua, about 2 ½ hours from Irapuato. They have expressed interest in beginning a CESI training center there.
Others from Dunamis have expressed interest in beginning a second group of CESI at our church. I have been asked to coordinate this new group. It is exciting to see how God is going to use this to raise up church planters to reach the unreached communities of our area.
Norma and her husband live in Cueramaro. After church one Sunday at Dunamis, she told me: Don’t abandon us!!! Before my home assignment, we held small group Bible studies in their home with the hopes of beginning a church. We pray that God would show us how to reach this community with the gospel.
One of our CESI students¸ Betzabe, leads weekly Bible studies in Juventino Rosas. She and I have become good friends, encouraging and praying for one another. She has invited me to help with her group and I look forward to going with her to these small group meetings in the future.
Claudia – Claudia has been a believer for about 2 years and was baptized at Dunamis shortly before I left for home assignment. It has been fun to meet with her and encourage her in her walk with Christ. She went through a difficult time of doubting her faith because she wasn’t 100% faithful to Christ. We met for coffee to talk and again the next day in a park. While in the park, I took out a tract to confirm the decision she had made. While there, the gardener and a man on a bike appeared and were listening to us! When I got to the part of the decision, I asked the men if they wanted to receive Christ, too. One cited John 3:16, but from the Jehovah’s Witness bible. It was so exciting to listen to Claudia share from her heart the difference that Christ has made in her life and Bible verses that came to mind. God used this experience to confirm Claudia’s faith. When I dropped her off at her house, we prayed together in the car, and with tears she prayed that she might always remain faithful to Him (Jn. 15). I thank God for His work in her life.
Claudia also was one of the teachers at the Evangelism Explosion training we had at Dunamis. Besides that, she also trained another small group of people in evangelism explosion in homes. They went out into parks and shared with people they ran into. One of these was Daniela, a university student that seeks out Claudia now at least once a week just to talk. Once Claudia invited her to prayer meeting¸ and she accepted! That night I led on John 1, and what it means to be a child of God. Afterwards, the three of us went out for tacos and to talk. Pray that God would give Daniela understanding of the gospel and faith to receive Christ.
Guanajuato – I have gone back to Guanajuato twice a month to run errands, and reconnect with friends. Several have opened up to me about their personal lives and some have shown interest in the gospel. Pray that God would open their hearts to receive Him by faith.
Sandra: After her mom’s death, she said: I hope I’m good enough so I can be where she is someday.” Her husband Felipe shared with me his concern for a wayward daughter who has now returned home.
Ricardo: Three months ago his 98 year old aunt died, and recently his younger sister died of a heart attack. He is having a hard time dealing with these losses. Pray that through this pain he would open his heart to receive Christ by faith.
Anita: Claudia and I talked to her about the gospel as Anita brought up the topic. She is resistant because of hypocrisy she has seen in “Christian” friends.
Rogelio: He and his wife have had marital problems over the last couple years, but recently he shared that there are hopeful signs of reconciliation! The last time I saw him, he whispered in my ear in English: Please pray for me!
Restaurant owner: Once he asked about my work and he noted that Christians have a good work ethic. He isn’t sure what he believes anymore. Last time I was in the restaurant he asked me to help his son with his English.
Among the Zuriel Regional Baptist Convention activities I attended was a farewell service for some Mexican missionaries that devoted 11 years to reaching the Chichimeca Indians of San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, who recently retired because of health issues. Through them God established First Baptist church as well as a second mission in the Indian community. At the service, Alberto and Juanita were recognized, and he shared highlights from those years. As he looked out into the audience, he would share the testimonies of the people there and of how God changed lives. Then with tears in his eyes, he prayed for these churches and God’s work. I couldn’t hold back the tears either! During his talk, he gave all the glory to God, and also said: There is no greater privilege than missions (church planting). Lord, for as long as I have strength, let me serve You.
May that be our prayer as well as we enter into 2010… Lord, as long as You give me strength, let me serve You.
May God teach us to number our days and live each day for Him.
Prayer requests….
1. For good health (physical, emotional, spiritual), energy and safety.
2. For wisdom in ministry decisions, especially for our CESI church planting team, that we would know how to most effectively reach out with the gospel to the people of Abasolo, Cueramaro and Guanajuato.
3. For God to raise up new leaders and church planters for the new CESIs.
4. For continued wisdom and patience in learning my way around Irapuato.
5. That God would use me as light and salt for Him in my community where I live, especially with my neighbors Norma (whose husband is a believer) and Rocio (who has a strong interest in world religions, especially that of the Mayan Indians).
6. For Ricardo in Guanajuato as he deals with the loss of an aunt and sister, that it would draw him
to Christ. Pray also for the salvation and healing for his wife Coco as she has liver problems.
7. For Dunamis Baptist Church members, pastors and ministries—that God would lead and direct our steps and be glorified in all things.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and faithful giving to God’s work in Mexico.
Grateful for the privilege of serving Him,
Jami
