PJ in 4 South American countries this January and February!

Please pray for my January travel schedule.  
January 6 - Depart LAX
January 7 - Arrive in São Paulo, Brazil
January 9 - 12 – Conduct missions team training in São José dos Campos
January 13 - 26 - Lead Brazilian missions team to Argentina
January 26 – Return to São Paulo, Brazil
January 29 - February 3 - Mission trip to Asuncion, Paraguay
February 3 - Return to São Paulo
February 5 - 8  Visit Maringá, Brazil
February 10 - 15 Visit Presidente Prudente, Brazil
February 19 - Leave São Paulo for Lima, Peru
February 19 - 24 - Conduct exploratory missions trip in Lima
February 25 - Return to Los Angeles

Argentina Team

In January 2014, Pastor John will be leading a third international JEMS team to serve the Lord in Argentina.  Pastor John has recruited a group from a Brazilian Nikkei church to serve with him in and around the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires from January 13 to 26.  There we will work with two Nikkei churches, with a Brazilian mission group serving the underprivileged, and at a campground for children living in a nearby low-income area.  

Our team as confirmed on Sunday, December 8th.
L-R:  Isaías, Milca, Carol, William, baby Kevin, Pr Elias and Cibele
Click photo to enlarge

Since this team photo was taken, another two people have volunteered to accompany the Argentina missions team, Rubem (also from SJC) and Pastor Maki (from Holiness Church, Santo André. pictured with PJ):

     

Please pray for us as we train and build teamwork together from January 9 to 12.  Ask God to protect us as we work and serve together for the following two weeks in Argentina.  

Overcoming doubts and fears
Most people do not know what happens on the mission field.  And this uncertainty keeps them from taking a step of faith to test God's provision and faithfulness in missions.  

I'm grateful for this Brazilian group which has responded to God's Great Commission.  One of the tools we used to encourage them to pray and participate in this Argentina cross-cultural ministry was the following video.  This video used the experiences of the July 2013 JEMS USA team:

 

JEMS South America missions department has shifted its strategy, inviting Brazilian and Brazilian Nikkei believers to respond to the Great Commission by serving their South American neighbors.  

Through contacts made by Pastor John in Paraguay and in Argentina, JEMS is creating partnerships and bridges of contact where Brazilian young (and older) people can experience what it means to serve in another culture, sharing God's love with another people.  

US Recruiting for Summer Mission 2014 has begun!
Recruitment for US participants in JEMS South America summer mission program begins immediately.  Mission dates are flexibly tailored for a minimum three week period (recommended) during the months of June, July or August.

A JEMS invitation video for potential mission volunteers is available for viewing at Youtube:  Watch it here!

For more information, please contact our JEMS Missions Coordinator, Rianna Wong, via the JEMS office.