A New Year and New Semester of College

 The new semester started on January 12. I am teaching an English writing class and cooking the meals for the students. Because some students are graduating, we now have a smaller number. I believe God gave us the students He wanted here, and I look forward to serving them over the next few months. Please pray that God will do a work in the hearts of these students. 

 Due to the schedule I had last semester making me exhausted, I requested to be removed from the college payroll and to lessen my duties. I made this request in December. My hours with my foster care job had already been cut from 40 to 32. After my three week vacation, my client base dropped to five. My hours have now been cut to 20. I know God is testing my trust, and perhaps Satan is testing it too. Please pray that I can find online work to compensate for my personal needs for now, and please pray that God will allow more churches to take me on so that I can raise full-time support.

I am pursuing a home loan pre-approval to see what I can be approved for. I am praying for a monthly payment of $300. Finding a home that would meet that low of a payment is proving difficult. Please pray that God will reveal whether He wants me to purchase a home at this time or wait a while longer.

 I still have some difficulties to work through over the next few months. Please pray that I have wisdom in what I say and do. Please pray that those who listen to me will have spiritual discernment.

I plan to leave for England sometime between June 1and 3. I have a friend who also wants to travel with me to experience what I do. Please pray that God will provide a round trip flight for her for about $800. 

God is moving and working in my life in some mysterious ways. I cannot go into detail, but please pray that I will have wisdom and discernment in some personal decisions which I will need to make. Please pray God opens the doors I am to go through and closes those I should not go through.

I am so thankful for all who pray for me, support me, and encourage me. Were it not for my prayer warriors over the last few months, I do not know where I would be right now. 

Finally Christmas and a New College Semester

 We finished up the fall semester at Harvest Baptist Bible College with a Christmas banquet, finals, and Christmas parties. The beginning of December was busy for me with several other Christmas get togethers. 

On December 19, I left on a three week trip to visit family and share my missions ministry.  I was able to speak in two new churches where I encouraged others to step out and do what I do helping families overseas or small churches in the US. I was able to give an update in one of my supporting churches. I met two different missionary wives who for health reasons had to leave the field.  They were so thankful to meet someone who understands and has a burden to fill the needs of the wives. 

During my time away, I have been able to get a lot of rest after a very busy and stressful last six months. I was also able to.prepare my English class for the coming semester. Please pray that God will use me to help these students to become great communicators for Christ and to know the love and care I have for them to grow in Christ and reach their fullest potential. 

I will be very busy finishing up my foster care work by the end of April. Please pray that I have opportunity to witness to my clients. Please pray that I can speak to more churches and raise the fulltime support I need to be able to travel more and stay longer with families. 

Please pray also as we watch Iran and Venezuela open. I am already in touch with some people to try to enter Iran if it opens and is safe to enter. Jesus is coming soon, and I believe God is using President Trump  to be the tool that allows freedom in many closed countries. Will you join in supporting or going yourself to spread the Gospel when the doors open?

I have a goal of leaving by the end of May to travel to England. I plan to book refundable tickets due to my nephew having major heart surgery with a 4-6 week recovery just before I would leave. If he has any complications, I would plan to reschedule my trip so that I can help my sister who is due with her eighth baby at the same time as my nephew's surgery.

Please.pray that I will have wisdom as I consider the best option for housing or at least storage of my belongings when I leave in May. I am alao getting some health checkups done due to the stress I was under for the last few months causing me some concerns. Pray that all is well.

One last request is for my sending church pastor's oldest son, Luis Martinez, jr. He has some major health concerns and is going through a lot of tests. Please pray for wisdom on treatments and choice of doctors...