As I’m writing this journal it’s now forty-five minutes past the first hour of the New Year.  Can you believe it? It’s 2018!!! It’s hard to believe how time flies.  My heart is overwhelmed with gladness.  I serve and love a great and faithful God.  2017 was an amazing year for me.  When I think of God’s goodness, I think of all that He has done in my life.  My memories always bring me back when I was a kid growing up in the Philippines.  My life story is a testament of God’s faithful love for my family and me.  God is good!!!

2017 was filled with fun and exciting travels in the United States.  I was blessed!  Here are a few highlights of what happened to me in 2017.

My Dori and I on the road!

On April 3^rd I was officially endorsed with International Ministries (IM) as an International Cross-Cultural Global Servant to serve in Mexico as Information Technologist (IT) at the Baja Baptist Seminary and its surrounding regions.  I praise God for His directions and guidance in my life.  He directed me to International Ministries (IM).  God is good!!! I stepped up to His calling back in 2007.  Actually, God planted the desire in my heart to become a Missionary when I was a kid and has been preparing me for this time.  He is shaping and molding me every day of my life to enable me to work with His beloved people.  And I am blessed to serve alongside International Ministries.  I thank God for everyone who works behind the scene at International Ministries for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.  God is good!!!

In May, another highlight took place in Arkansas, where I finally got to meet face to face a person I’ve known for 44 years.  Have you ever seen those commercials for organizations that support kids from other countries?  You can support those kids by sending a certain amount every month?  I was once one of those kids.  An amazing woman name Amelia was a godsent in our life.  Amelia was my sponsor since I was 6 years old and I was in 2^nd grade at that time.  She helped my mom and she abled me to go to school.  Amelia was there for me until I finished College.  When I first came to the United States (from the Philippines), I did my best to find Amelia.  I found her, and we began to write each other and we talked on the phone.  I kept her updated with everything that was happening in my life, just like when I was growing up.  She has been a big part of my life and who I am now.  She guided me through her letters as I was growing up.  She would give me advice like a second mom.  She also shared her life with me; wherever she traveled she would send me postcards or she would buy something for me and send it to me in the Philippines.  I was a part of her life.  I believe, Amelia’s kindness, love, and compassion are a reflection of Jesus’ heart.  I also believe, God’s way of sending her into my life is part of His preparation for my future, and His way of shaping and molding me into the person He wants me to be.  It was important for me to find her.  It was one of my goals to meet her, so I could personally thank her.  My meeting with Amelia was truly a blessing.  My heart was filled with gladness and gratitude.  I wish I could tell you every detail.  I praise God He guided me to find Amelia.  After my Endorsement Orientation with IM, I spent a few months at my home in North Carolina; while I was in North Carolina, I fasted and prayed for my long-awaited reunion with Amelia.  On my way back to Montana, I drove to Arkansas to meet with her.  God answered my prayers with confetti and bells ringing.  God is good!!!

Amelia – The woman I knew when I was a kid.

And now, Amelia and I.  Picture was taken at her place in Arkansas.

I have so much to be thankful for a great, amazing, faithful, marvelous, forgiving, loving, merciful, God I serve.  Without Him, I am nothing.  I am so grateful He gave me awesome parents, especially my mom who’s always there for me and loves me unconditionally.  He brought people in my life who treats me like family.  He gave me my church family who support me and love me.  He gave me wonderful people who are now supporting me in prayers and financially for my ministry in Mexico and with my preparations for commission to the mission field.  He always allows me to walk in His favor and fulfill my dreams.  He’s always there to guide me and keeps me safe from harm and danger.  He provides my need and answers my prayers.  “Thank You” is not enough for the God I serve.  I am not perfect, but He has my heart and my soul, and I know I can serve Him through His beloved people for His glory.  I can’t wait to get to the mission field to share God’s love just like how He loved me.  And I am looking forward what this New Year will bring!  Honor, glory, and praises to the One Who direct my life!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my journal.  And thank you to those who are with me on this new journey I am embarking on.  In closing of this journal, I would like to say a prayer for you.  For 2018, my prayer for you and your love ones is that a supernatural harvest of blessing will spring forth in your life in ways you’ve never imagined.  I pray that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out His abundance on you. I pray for healing, greater strength, wisdom, and understanding in every area of your life.  May you hear God’s voice and fill your heart with His presence.  I declare His favor over you at home, at work, and everywhere you go.  I declare that His peace and joy will surround you.  May you have greater dreams and visions for your future, and greater influence on those around you for the cause of Christ.  May you walk in the fear of the Lord. May His light shine upon you and light the path before you.  I pray for good relationship with people in your life and for those who are still waiting for someone special in your life, I declare His favor over you and lead you to the person He molded just for you.  May He encourage you with His love, amaze you with His grace, overwhelm you with His mercy, and comfort you with His compassion–and may everything you set your hand to this New Year may prosper and succeed for your good and His glory.  I lift up this prayer and declarations to the most precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Yours in Christ,

– Jae