I pray this letter finds you well.

We have received very positive responses regarding our plans for the new building and retired missionary housing. The land has been purchased, plans are being drawn, and meetings with the county will soon be taking place for permits. We will keep you up to date as we move along.

The Missionary Family Reunion will be here before we know it. It is the week of June 13, 2022. We will begin check-in around noon on that Monday and we will all leave after breakfast on Friday. Bruce Garner will be the main speaker this year. A few others will be along during the week as well. The teens are going to have a fantastic time. Be sure to bring them along. Cherry Street Baptist will be working with the younger children, and they will be providing some fun sessions for them in the mornings and evenings. PLUS – the Price is Right! It is only $50 per family and $25 per single thanks to the generosity of our churches who give to the Missionary Care Offering. I sure hope you will come. If you need a time of refreshment, fun, and reuniting with other missionaries – this is the week to do so. Oh yes, you get to spend time with us from the Mission Office too. The registration deadline is May 26. You can register online, jotform.com, or feel free to contact my assistant, Carole Miller, cmiller@bbfimissions.com.

We recently held our World Mission Forum which is the missions emphasis time for BBC. The students all came over to our Boonstra Chapel for three hours in the morning. We had special challenges for them along with several missionary couples sharing their fields and recruiting more missionaries. Many expressed that they think this is the best week of the semester. Numerous students set up meeting times with Craig Stevenson as they consider missions. Also, some changed their major to missions. We keep praying and asking for more missionaries. Don’t forget to pray with us at 9:38 each day.

The May Fellowship Meeting is also very close. We have several couples who will be approved. We will also be presenting more details about the building project for the new office building and retirement housing. Tim Adrian will be encouraging all to get behind this with great anticipation. The missions morning on Thursday, May 5, is going to be a great morning. I hope you can join us. We also invite you to join us following the meeting for the Missionary Luncheon. Contact my assistant, Carole, if you plan to be there.

In July we have our annual Advanced Mission Training. It is the week of July 18, 2022. If you are interested in attending any of the sessions such as those that cover finances or security training, please let us know and we will get you the exact dates and times for those.

Here is a cool Google Sheets formula for language learning. When I was a new missionary, I created a list of spiritual words that I wanted to learn. This spreadsheet would make this much easier – in my opinion.

I’d like to remind you of Hebrews 13:5 which says:

…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

This is one of my favorite verses. Here God is reminding us that He is always with us to support our service to Him. When God called Moses to proclaim His message and lead Israel out of slavery, you remember how Moses made excuses about his lack of abilities. God said in Exodus 4:12:

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Also, Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19-20 to:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 is a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6. Read Deuteronomy 31:1-8. What was the basis for Moses’ admonition to “be strong and courageous”? I also want to encourage you to be strong and courageous as you face our ever-changing world. We endure these times because people are clearly in need of the Gospel. God has you where you are for those people to hear! So, be strong and courageous!

Your friend,

Jon