Making of a Merry Christmas

It’s been SOME year let me tell ya but through the good and the bad, the successes and the challenges, God has showered His grace on our family. You can also tell from the video that…we still love each other! As we look ahead at 2012 it looks like a long hard road from here but we are not alone and we have His strength to help us along. Thank you for your prayers.


Merry Christmas everyone!

Team provides many opportunities for Truth in Thailand

Dark and impoverished, the village is carved into a lush green mountain. Got Pa Bong, and many like it, is a visual reminder that God’s grace surrounds us, even in the most remote places. With 75 homes totaling over 500 people, they have many needs. There is a small remnant in the church that is faithful but religious legalism, drugs, alcoholism and lack of direction keep this village in bondage. The pastor reports that 60 of the 75 households are either addicted to or sell drugs. The issues of poverty, lack of education and drugs addictions puts the village children at an extremely high risk of being trafficked.

One muggy afternoon our team spread out to go to homes where they were to encourage and disciple local believers. I entered a typical home in northern Thailand which was raised on stilts with bamboo floors and walls. Twelve people gathered where the pastor had asked me to teach on prayer. After a great interactive time of teaching I opened it up for any other general questions. The head of the household asked about when Jesus turned water in to wine. I thought that was an interesting choice and in my mind I began to wonder if he was looking for ammunition to judge those around him since alcohol addiction is such a rampant problem in this area. After digging into that passage together, he then asked what sin was. I laid out the Biblical definition and examples of sin in hopes that he would relate that knowledge to the others he had in mind with a humble and loving heart. Then he asked one final question and at that point I began to catch on, realizing that he wasn’t pointing the gun of condemnation at someone else but the barrel of conviction was pointing right at him. Head hanging low he asked if you can sin too much that God wouldn’t love you anymore. With all the pieces of the puzzle sliding into place the man shared he drank too much and needed Jesus’ help. He wanted to be a good husband, father and witness and that day he decided it was time to change. As we finished praying for him and his family he raised his head with a look of determination that he was now on the road to restoration, and he wasn’t walking alone.

The team from America had many conversations of truth in home after home in four different villages with believers and pre-believers alike. Over the trip, 285 people heard the full Good News of Jesus and 61 decided to begin their new journey with him. The pastors or leaders in the communities are now ready to begin the real work of helping them to learn and obey the commands of Christ.

The follow up work now will include continued encouragement and discipleship approaches for oral learners. We will be working with each village to facilitate ownership, empowerment and training as they begin to trust in their Creator to begin to transform their village. It is an incredible privilege to watch them move from bondage and into the light. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we attempt to guide them along that path for His glory.

 
 
*Thanks Jo for the great photos!

Territory Expanding in Thailand

For several years we have prayed that God would be glorified in enlarging our borders. It has been stunning to see how He has been faithful in answering those prayers. Over the past two months so many things have been happening that we sometimes find it difficult to catch our breath. We usually like to keep our video updates shorter than this but there is much to tell…we tried to cram it all into the following 7 min 24 sec video. Watch and see how good God is!

Thank you for joining us on this wild ride with your hearts, prayers and support.

For more frequently updates or ways to join our support team, check out the following websites.

www.jessenfamily.info

jennisuejessen.wordpress.com/category/thailand/

In His grip,

The Jessen family

Compass 31—A new ministry born

The trafficking of women and children is reaching epidemic proportions around the world and especially in SE. Asia.  Thailand, aptly named “The Land of Smiles,” hides a sinister market of sexual slavery. Deceived and hopeless, young women are huddled in dirty shacks or chained behind bars while they await being forced to do things they shouldn’t even know about.  Many of those held captive are between the ages of 12-16. They don’t think of the future because they don’t think they are worth it, their only value is what the customer is willing to pay. They don’t know they were created in God’s image, they don’t know you can’t put a value on life, they don’t know they are priceless.

God is passionate about the broken, and because we too have been broken, we are humbled to follow Him to the darkest corners of the world in pursuit of those whom He loves. Over the past two months God has laid it on our hearts to provide a residential program to young mothers and their children who have been living in or rescued from sexually exploitive situations. On June 15th, 3 girls and their 3 babies moved into our hearts and home. As they live in our family we seek to love them in a way that provides protection, restoration and empowerment.

In praying about this project we sought His will as to a name that could sum up the immensity of the work before us. He directed us to the following passage in Jeremiah 31.

“See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth.  Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.  They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back.  I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”  Jeremiah 31:6-8 (emphasis added)

Webster’s dictionary gives the following 2 definitions for “compass”: 

n. An instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction.

v. To stretch round; to extend so as to embrace the whole; hence, to enclose, encircle, grasp or seize; as, to compass within the arms.

It is our desire to embrace those in our care and guide them on a path that will lead to their own personal discovery of the Creator who loves them and the purpose He created them for.  Thus, the name for the new ministry Compass 31 was born. 

For more information about our family’s work with Compass 31 check out http://jennisuejessen.wordpress.com/category/thailand/

Thank you Laura Parker for the great photos.

East Asia trip

We are back in Thailand after two weeks in East Asia.  We could so feel your prayers while we were in that country.  Thank you so much for your support.  Check out the video for sights, sounds and stories from the trip.

In His grip,
The Jessens

Community Transformation

Regardless of size or resources, local churches are the people through whom God desires to redeem the world. Every church is unique. Every church shares the same redemptive purpose. And, when churches learn to apply their talents and resources to share God’s love with the world, something amazing happens. The world changes. The blind see. The oppressed go free. The hungry are fed. The weak are defended. And most importantly, people and communities are reconciled to God.

In God’s perfect timing, right when we hit the ground 7 months ago, e3 Partners began rolling out a new strategy on community transformation. At e3 Partners, we know our greatest impact will come by supporting the greatest institution the world has ever known: the Church. It is for this reason that e3 has developed tools designed to empower churches to transform communities for the glory of God.

These tools are biblically based and incorporate best practices in church planting and community development. Three months ago we began piloting the process here in Thailand, helping local churches in three villages take its spiritual and social impact to another level. Promoting justice. Improving education. Providing water. Caring for the sick. Feeding the hungry. Sharing the love of Christ. Building strong communities. The possibilities are endless when a church discovers its unique vision for community transformation and we look forward to watching God work in these villages.

If you are interested in joining us here in Thailand through an e3 Partners short-term mission trip this October, we would love to have you come and work with us. For more information check out the Chiang Mai trip at http://www.e3partners.org/Page.aspx?pid=1939.

Training along the old Silk Roads

Asia and the Middle East are worlds both dark and enchanting. Mysterious in their worship, severe in their beliefs the people who live in this region of the world remain some of the least reached in the world. Although the southern Silk Road has made trade possible in the region for more than 2,000 years, ideas of faith do not trade as easily as spices and silks.

Our family landed in this upside-down world nearly seven months ago buoyed up by excitement and encouragement of you at home. We had God’s call and were sure of His plan. It was our desire and vision to train up nationals from Ch*na to follow Jesus on the Silk Road, making disciples, strategically placing them in city after city all the way Back to Jerusalem. What a vision! How can one, NOT want to be a part of that? Seven months in, this still remains our greatest desire.


The old Silk Roads cut right through the heart of the 10/40 window.

The Back to Jerusalem (BTJ) movement was born out of God’s grace and brutal persecution. The Ch*nese house church has been prepared to face persecution in ways that are only learned by surviving the fire. They can go into places that westerners are not permitted and willingly trade all they have and all they have ever know in exchange for His glory. They are gracious in their losses, heroic in their submission. We eagerly anticipate our first group of students. However, after seven months of fervently praying for that first class, we have found that perhaps our vision was just a little…TOO little. Our plan was to work in one training center here in Chiang Mai and by God’s grace equip up to 60 students a year to follow their hearts, and follow our God into the darkness for His glory. This is a good plan, but sometimes good can be the enemy of great. How much more can the Master of the Universe accomplish with willing lumps of clay?



In the recent weeks, God has opened doors that we could have never foreseen had we not been living on the ground here. Kelly has been asked to teach the e3 curriculum in other BTJ training centers located in Bangkok and NE India. He has also been invited to work with e3 in strategically training nationals in Bangladesh. As such, instead of only working in one training center with students from one country, he will be privileged to be working with 3 BTJ training centers as well as training nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Burma and Thailand. All of these students, in each of these locations, will be trained to reach the unreached living along the southern silk road, setting up future training centers, multiplying church planters and laying the foundation for church planting movements. As we consider the possibilities and implications of this we are so humbled at our own “little-ness.” Even so as I write this update, I can almost hear Jesus whispering through his laughter, “Oh, you of little faith!”

The gospel is being carried forth, light shining out of cracked clay pots…the ultimate proof of Christ’s death and resurrection!

Attention Sunday School teachers!!!

Attention Sunday School teachers!!! Scarlet and Maverek received many questions from kids back in the USA wanting information about Thailand.  Check out their latest Kid Questions video at www.youtube.com/kjessen1094 and feel free to share it with your classes.

Video update from Thailand

Wow last month went fast!!!  Many things are kicking off so here is a quick video to get you up to speed.


If the video does not display then you may watching it directly at http://www.youtube.com/user/kjessen1094

For more frequent updates stay tuned to this blog or our website at http://www.jessenfamily.info/.

Parade of homes in northern Thailand

A couple weeks ago I surveyed 13 different villages representing 6 different people groups in northern Thailand to get a feel for how we could serve them.  Needs ranged from water, medical, HIV/AIDS awareness, education, agricultural training and various degrees of economic poverty.  This perfect storm can lead to children being swept out of the villages and into the trafficking epidemic.  Pray for us as I revisit the highest priority villages next week to equip and empower the local churches which will hopefully begin the journey of walking alongside them to transform their villages.

Let the equipping begin!

Last week several students from Ch1na arrived who will be staying at our training center for a couple weeks.  While they are here we will be providing as much training as we can.

Today I started a two day Leadership Conference with a church staff here in Chiang Mai.  This will be the main church we'll be partnering with as we reach out into the Hill Tribes.

Both groups need prayer for wisdom and boldness.

March update from Thailand

Hello Dear Ones,

It would be better if we could just sit down and share with you in person what is going on in Thailand. But since time and space prevents that, we have included a link to a quick video update from our home to yours. We love and miss you all. Enjoy!



If the video does not display then you may watching it directly at http://www.youtube.com/user/kjessen1094.

For more frequent updates stay tuned to this blog or our website at http://www.jessenfamily.info/.

The Power of Multiplication!

There is still a clear picture in my mind of the day I began to learn how to multiply. I remember the first day, learning the 1’s, with the nervous anticipation that comes from learning something new. One times anything equals that number. Ok, that’s easy. This isn’t so hard. We move on to the two’s. Hold on a second 2+2 equals 4 and 2x2 equals 4. This is silly, what’s the difference here. Over the next several weeks my eyes began to open. 8+8 is 16 but 8x8 is 64, 12+12 is 24 but 12x12 is 144!!! The numbers got big in a hurry.

Over the past several years of training and serving with e3 Partners our eyes have once again been opened to the power of multiplication. Even through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit there are only so many people I, by myself, can share the gospel with. Those efforts are equivalent to addition. But what if I spend my time teaching, training and discipling others to do evangelism, disciple making and church planting? If I go out and share the gospel with one person, then one person would hear the Good News. If that is my process then every time I do evangelism, one new person will hear each time. But if every time I share the gospel, I also teach THEM how to do evangelism through disciple making, then…multiplication! Watch this from our e3 training.
Addition:
I share with one: 1 + 1 = 2; then I share with one more: + 1 = 3; and so on, sharing with one more each time + 1 = 4; + 1 = 5; + 1 = 6; + 1 = 7; + 1 = 8.

Multiplication:
I share with one and then teach that person to share: 1 + 1 = 2; then we BOTH share with another x 2 = 4; then 4 of us ALL share x 2=8; if then that 8 ALL shares with another, the group doubles again x 2=16; and 16 each reaching another x 2 =32; and so on 32 x 2=64; 64 x 2=128!

What does this multiplication example show us? Evangelism is a ministry of addition. Disciple making is a ministry of multiplication. Changes in the first few generations are not very different. The difference grows greater and greater with each additional generation. Our family wants a ministry of multiplication, not addition.
As we look as Jesus’ time here on earth, yes many times he spoke to the masses, but He invested most of his time teaching the disciples. Paul did the same thing. That is Jenni’s and my heart here in Thailand. If we are teaching Chinese students, we are teaching them to multiply the Good News and make disciples throughout Asia. If we are teaching Thai pastors and leaders, we are teaching them to multiply throughout every village and town in Thailand. If we are discipling prostitutes, may word spread through every brothel until every girl hears the hope of Jesus Christ. In all of these, may God’s passion to reconcile the lost to Himself spread like wildfire so worship will rise up out of the darkness and bring glory to Him from every corner of the world.

So will we continue doing evangelism, disciple making and church planting? Yes. But at the same time we will be teaching others to do the same. So if you are a numbers person or a results person, you may need to adjust the measure of success. You may not hear from us, this many people made decisions or this many churches were planted that we actually had our hands in, but you’ll hear this many people were trained. And by training them we believe that our efforts will be multiplied for God’s glory. We may never know the impact of those we’ve trained until we are sitting around in Heaven and I’m OK with that. Because, after all, it’s not about me, it’s about God.

For the latest updates stay tuned to http://www.jessenfamily.info/

December video update from the field

If you do not see the video above the click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1uL4S6q-cU&feature=player_embedded

A New Year…New Challenges!

Dearest Ones,
May God richly bless you each with His presence and His in the upcoming year. We are learning how to “do life,” here in this upside down world day-by-day, and are seeing His hand at work in all the details. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Praises:
• Praise God that Scarlet had a better week with much more peace.
• Praise God that we are adjusting to an Asian way of life.
• Oh, and in case you missed it last week, we got our WORK PERMIT!!! This will allow us to work here legally and get visas a year at a time.

Prayer:
• Pray for the “Catamount” people of East Asia still unreached with His grace and peace. Pray for what role each of us has in reaching them.
• We continue to search for a safe and reasonably priced vehicle.
• 2 out of 3 of our computers crashed over Christmas break and both have to have new hard drives. Pray for Kelly as he wrestles with fixing them.
• For wisdom and guidance as we research and survey the Chinese refugees in northern Thailand and how we can serve them
• Lastly, please continue to pray for our students. We hope to see them before the end of the month.

As always, you all are in our hearts and prayers.
In His Grip,
Jenni for the family

Stay tuned to http://www.jessenfamily.info/ for more updates and videos.