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I enjoyed a recent trip to Asia. There I was able to be a part of the 25^th anniversary of the Asian Baptist Clearinghouse that was started by Lloyd Baker and now run by Paul Byars. They have now approved over 180 family units to foreign countries. The anniversary celebration was good as God was given the glory for it all. Then, I went over to Bangkok, Thailand. I got to spend some time with the Salmons, Suttons, Speights and Lu May. They are all doing incredible work reaching the Thais and Pakistanis in a variety of ways. It was a blessing to be a part of the church services and meeting those wonderful people who have been saved. Thailand is a very difficult place for ministry, but these missionaries are giving a valiant effort and God’s power is upon them.

I just want to remind you of two upcoming events that I hope you will consider participating in.

The first is the annual Missionary Reunion. We always have such a great time with a lot of fun, laughter and fellowship together. This year it will be the week of June 10-14, 2019. If you are going to be in the States on furlough, whether long or short, I hope you will plan on coming. Pastor Bob Stephenson of Grace Baptist Church will be our main speaker this year. Pastor Stephenson loves missionaries and has led his church in doing so much for world missions. He has been a great friend and support to me, and I believe he will be a blessing to all of us. Bring your kids and teens. We always have a lot planned for them and they will love those few days with other MKs and we have activities set up just for them. If you are interested and need to set up your reservations you can visit www.bbfimissions.com/reunion to register or feel free to contact my assistant, Carole, at Carole@bbfimissions.com. Funds from the Missionary Care Offering are used to help ease the financial burden and make this time together much more affordable for our missionaries. I hope you will take advantage of it.

The other event I would like to mention is the Costa Rica Global Meeting in 2020. This is going to be a great event like the past ones but in another region of the world. Already we have lined up a great set of speakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America and others. I have sent official letters to various leaders in several countries. If you would like for me to send you a letter to share with the pastors you work with, please let me know. The Costa Rican pastors that work with John Barnes and other church leaders are already planning and preparing to host this meeting. From what I already know they are going to do an amazing job—I know you will enjoy it immensely. Let me know if you have a pastor that you would like to attend, and I will see if we can obtain the funds to help with their transportation cost. The past few Global Meetings have been successful in helping leaders from many countries see that they are really part of a large movement of Baptist churches being used by God in tremendous ways. It helps them see that they can do the same. In fact, we have had a number of countries now sending missionaries from their churches because they attended a past meeting and saw and heard how God is working in so many ways around the globe. Please promote this meeting among your people and churches and encourage them to attend. You will be blessed!

Finally, read these encouraging words:

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20).

Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us all the spiritual power we will ever need to live the missionary life in whatever country we live and serve in. Paul had a personal understanding of the Spirit’s infinite power supply. Even when he was stretched to the limit physically and spiritually, he said in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” We can’t attribute his inner determination to any source other than the Holy Spirit.

No matter how difficult or discouraging our own circumstances become, we have the very same Spirit. If we’re hindered, we don’t have to be frustrated. If we’re puzzled, we don’t have to be in despair. If we’re persecuted, we don’t have to face it alone. If we’re struggling from a physical disease, we can be alive in heart and spirit. Our outer person might be exhausted and hard-pressed, but we have the assurance of being renewed with fresh strength daily from the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 4:16 he says, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

As I think of this, my mind begins to list so many of you who are facing at least one of these difficulties. I pray for you and so do many others. Don’t give up, rely upon the power of God who gives strength to us all through the Holy Spirit. Stay determined as Paul did–no matter what comes. Thank God today that even before your life encounters a crisis, you have the Holy Spirit as a source of strength and power to help meet that challenge. Isn’t God good?!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup

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