Jones Journal e-Mailer for 2008-12

jonesjournal.org > newsletters > e-Mailer for 12/08

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If you'd like to read past issues, see Newsletters. This monthly e-Mailer includes updates on ministry, family, praise and prayer.

I'm writing this issue of our e-Mailer from Ohio, but this snowy picture was taken just north of here in Michigan. I love the snow--especially around Christmas! Forgive me if you are tired of it where you live, but it's been years since I've been in it. Special thanks to Calvary AG in Toledo for allowing me to "bach" it along with missionary Isaac Smythia for the week I'm here holding services and appointments.

These past couple of months our itineration travels took us from our temporary home on California's Central coast to the arid desert of Arizona, and to the thin fall air of the Rockies in Colorado. We got to see the sun rise over oil rigs in California's San Joaquin valley, and set over surfers at Pismo Beach pier (both pictured here). We got reacquainted with friends who are pastors and church members plus got to make new ones.

Yvonne shared in word and song at the ladies Fall Banquet for Neighborhood Church in Bishop, California and later we had a wonderful time in Sunday services and fellowship with the church family and Pastors Ben & Virginia Peavy. We also had the privilege of meeting for the first time Ida Williams, a long-time prayer supporter of our family and ministry. Please allow me to let her represent our deep appreciation for you dear saints and prayer warriors just like her who have stood with us in prayer for almost 20 years now.

We are still scheduling dates through July 2009. Feel free to contact me or visit our itineration page online to set up a visit. If you are on Facebook, we'd be happy to become "friends." Search for "Kirk Antonio Jones."

Thank you to all our friends, family and partners for your faithful prayers and financial support. We are here in the US trusting God and His people to help raise our budget to get us back to work with Panama's children where both He and we want us to be. Thanks for prayerfully considering a new commitment or an increase.

Chloe got to join other stateside college age missionary kids (MKs) for a super fun Thanksgiving retreat in Colorado, sponsored by the amazing AGWM MK office! It was her first experience snow skiing. She said she didn't even fall down the first day! She said the fellowship and ministry was great.

Tony is learning to play bass guitar and drum set. As you can see he's taking very good care of his new "baby."

Celina is seen here holding "Skales" a ball python snake. It belongs to her cousin Luke, sitting next to her.

Gracie has been riding her bike to school as often as Kirk has time to try and keep up running along behind her. It's great exercise especially because she's getting faster!

We actually did insert our new prayer card with the December issue of our quarterly print newsletter, arriving to mailboxes across the country any day now. You can see it on our Newsletter page right now if you'd like.

We appreciate you joining us in prayer for the following requests, plus anything else the Lord lays on your heart:

* For God to do His part and us to do our part in raising prayer and financial support to sustain us for next four-year term on the field

* For traveling mercies and grace (especially in traffic and crowded airports!)

* For friends and ministry partners continuing the work in Panamá

We're also very grateful to the Lord for the following:

* For Yvonne getting to go and surprise Chloe with a visit at college last month

* For being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with some of our family at our home

* For the first-coming of Jesus, Light of the world and Savior of the world

No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse.

This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.

John 1:18, The Message

We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard--God's glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.

2 Peter 1:19, The Message

Yours for Them,

Kirk for all