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JENSEN NEWSRichard and Cheryl Jensen
Much is happening here in the Northwoods and I am glad to share it with you. February was busy with me cooking something each Tuesday to take to the senior meal. The diabetic meal was five tables full. Thanks to Lindy from Faith Community in Gambrills MD, everyone had a wonderful valentine with a Bible verse inside. These were also given out at our church and the mission food pantry.
I had been teaching about Joseph in Junior church and concluded in March. Rick and I took an over night trip away and sent a big box of treats for the kids deep in Viking territory known as Minnesota.
We said ‘hello’ to March and with it warm weather and ‘goodbye’ to the snow. Our dinner went well, the numbers were down, the food was great. I did more cooking and baking on Tuesdays. This was the month that I felt the Holy Spirit’s urging to try a ladies Bible study. Two of the ladies mentioned that they missed the Bible study we had before (no one came for two months!). What to do. Should I try? Pray, plan, pray harder, be scared, get braver! Rick challenged me with a quote he posted on facebook (we both are on facebook). ‘God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.’ Me? Tired, sometimes in pain, scared. Me! Empowered by the Holy Spirit, brave with the sword of the Spirit in hand. Now in April we have started the ladies’ Bible study every Tuesday after lunch for about and hour. We are
studying the Gospel of John. I like to bring an object to each study that they can take home with them to remind them of the main idea taught by the chapter. Please pray for wisdom as I study, learn, and share.
Easter was a wonderful time to focus on the greatness of the resurrection. If you want to get a strange look at WalMart, wish someone a ‘happy resurrection Sunday’ instead of ‘happy Easter’. Stephen and Jenna came home from Oak Hills Christian College for Easter break. Jenna was a good sport and joined every one to find their Easter baskets hidden outside. I was afraid that our large retriever, Duke, would lead everyone to their stash. He just enjoyed chasing everyone. Josiah and Krystle got their box of treats later. We are seeing many doors open in Mole Lake. Rick has a Native Christian man who goes door to door with him to do evangelism. I have a Native Christian lady who heads up the health department, who works with me, and now God has given me this Bible study.
We are looking to having new windows put in the mission house this summer. We will need help and good weather to get it done.
The mission food pantry continues to fill needs. I work there on Wednesday mornings and Rick works there on Wednesday afternoons. Rick took pity on me for the April diabetic dinner and worked my hours and cleaned the kitchen. What a man! God knew what he was doing when He caused us to meet and fall in love. The mission also recently had an opportunity receive and distribute 32,000 lbs of bread. It took two days but all the bread was distributed to help people in need.
As I look over the past few months I am filled with awe at who God is, at watching Him opening doors and seeing Him melting hearts. Our deep need is for the courage to continue speaking and walking in the truth. We want to look at what God has done in the past and let it strengthen our faith for the future.
Our kids are doing well. We are not sure who will be with us for this summer. School is coming to the end and we rejoice in the warmer weather. Thank you for your care and love for us.
Prayer requests: Visitation, that those we speak to each week will respond to the conviction of the Spirit, make a commitment to Christ, and become part of a local church. So far people listen, but are not willing to receive Christ.
Cheryl’s Bible study, that the Spirit will work in and through her as she teaches (as well as through me when I teach on Sunday and witness during the week) and that the believers in her study will grow and the unbelievers will come to know Christ. That the friendships we are building at the elderly center, diabetic dinners, and food pantry will lead to our friends coming to Christ.
For the Family,
Cheryl Jensen