December 2003 Hallowell Highlights

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=120 BGCOLOR="#FFCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0443f781egdyul.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B>Proclaim His Praise in the Islands - the Hallowells</B></FONT> <B> </B><B>|    </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Proclaim His Praise in the Islands the "><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=360 BGCOLOR="#CCFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> December 2003 Hallowell Highlights</div> <bR> <div> J<A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="0312nlPhotos"><U>ust let me see the photos...</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#dear_friend" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>Main Letter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#reflections_on_53_years" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>Reflections on 53 Years!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#looking_ahead_to_2004" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>Looking ahead to 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#a_prayer_guide" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>A prayer guide</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#christmas_greetings" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>Christmas Greetings</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#thank_you" TITLE="December 2003 Hallowell Highlights"><U>Thank you</U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Hallowell Highlights</I></div> <div> The Newsletter of Jay and Amor Hallowell</div> <div> Members of OMF-International in the Philippines</div> <div> Address: c/o BSOP, 77-B Karuhatan Road  P.O. Box 11  1469 Valenzuela, Metro Manila  Philippines</div> <bR> <bR> <div> December 4, 2003</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="dear_friend"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Dear Friend,</div> <bR> <div> One of the great joys of teaching and mentoring seminary students is being inspired by them!  Few of the students here found it easy to make the decision to come to study at the seminary.  It was difficult for most to overcome the family, economic, cultural, and political pressures that stood in their way.  It is humbling, challenging, and inspiring to be allowed to teach and mentor people who pay such a big price to follow the Lord's call.</div> <bR> <div> For example, last week Jay met a Chinese married couple from outside of the Philippines.  They come from a city of five million people with just two official open churches, though this city also has a number of underground (house) churches.  But, the average person in that city knows little or nothing about God or his son, Jesus.  Through an amazing series of coincidences, this couple accepted Christ.  They want to share Jesus in their city, but realize that they need more training in order to do.  </div> <bR> <div> Getting training to minister is not easy or simple for them.  For one thing, they both have good jobs, difficult to give up.  They have a son whose education is important, of course.  They were able to visit the Philippines and to visit our  seminary.  We cannot share many of the details of their lives due to very real possibilities of persecution for them.  It looks like it may be possible for the husband to resign from his job and study at our seminary, which he very much wants to do.  The wife may need to stay in her own country and work.  This is obviously not an ideal solution, but there are few other options open for them.  Please pray for this couple and others like them whom God is calling to ministry.  Pray that the Lord will open the way for them to be able to study and serve!  Pray for God to continue to reach the Chinese, both in the Philippines and in other countries itself.</div> <bR> <div> It has been a great year!  While it is usual in a Christmas letter to recount the high points of the past year, inside we are going to summarize the last 53 years.  Intrigued?  Please see below.  </div> <bR> <div> Jesus paid the price so that we may celebrate Christmas!</div> <bR> <div> Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,</div> <div> Jay and Amor</div> <bR> <bR> <div> [<A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="0312nlPhotos"><U>Click here to see photo: "Some of our students at dinner in our apartment."</U></A>]</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="reflections_on_53_years"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Reflections on 53 Years!</B></div> <bR> <div> In September this year a significant mile-stone quietly passed in Jay's life.  This was the completion of 25 years in full-time Christian ministry.  Combined, we have invested 53 years in full time Christian service.  Wow!</div> <bR> <div> We say "Wow!" because we don't feel that much older (or wiser?), though our bodies do remind us we are not as young as we used to be.  The years have gone really quickly. </div> <bR> <div> Our greatest joy has been to be involved in the lives of many different people in many different places.  Our ministry has not been only about growing organizations or  churches, but about reaching and discipling different people in different places.  God has mostly used us in teaching, training, and discipling young Christians. </div> <div>  </div> <div> There is so much joy in ministry.  We now have friends from all over the world!  Life is never dull or boring.  There are always interesting and challenging problems and opportunities to face.  There is always so much to learn.  And, there is joy in knowing that we are serving the largest purpose possible-being in God's family working to help others join the family and enjoy God.  There is something difficult to articulate about God's presence and God's word.  It gets into your blood.  It is a quiet thing.  But it is also irresistible.  </div> <bR> <div> As missionaries in OMF, we are challenged to be scaffolding used to build a church or ministry, then to be taken down and used somewhere else.  We do not like the temporary feeling of being scaffolding.  It is certainly not the role of every Christian.  But, as missionaries, we are very aware that this is part of God's call in our lives.  So, only God knows how long he will leave us here and when He will call us to the next thing.  [photo of scaffolding removed]</div> <bR> <div> It is great after more than a quarter century of ministry to still be in love with God.  The fire is still there.  That in itself may be an accomplishment.  </div> <bR> <div> We have also been blessed with a good and a thrilling marriage (we celebrated our 15th anniversary last August and feel more in love than we felt as newlyweds).  </div> <bR> <div> We continue to be amazed that the Lord has used us to reach and/or to train or teach or disciple or mentor so many people who are serving the Lord in different ways in many places.   </div> <bR> <div> God is wonderful, our partnership as a married couple is delightful, and the kingdom of God is advancing because God is at work in us.  It seems amazing to us, but we are very grateful to God for calling us and using us.  It's about Him!</div> <bR> <div> "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."  Luke 17:10b NIV</div> <bR> <div> [<A HREF="id84_care___share_top.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="0312nlPhotos"><U>Click here for Photo: "Every Thursday Jays leads this group of BSOP students as a Care and Share Group."</U></A>]</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="looking_ahead_to_2004"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Looking ahead to 2004</B></div> <bR> <div> January 5 to March 26 - Third (and last) Quarter of the Academic year.  Jay teaches three classes - New Testament 3 (Pauline Epistles); Urban Mission; and Acts (extension class)</div> <bR> <div> February 24-25 - BSOP Faculty and Student Retreat</div> <bR> <div> March 28 - BSOP Graduation Day - Please pray for the graduates to adjust well to their ministries!</div> <bR> <div> April 7-11 - We speak at the Easter Family Camp of Jesus Christ Church of Calapan</div> <bR> <div> April 15 to 21 - We team-teach a summer class on "Spiritual Formation" at BSOP</div> <bR> <div> April - May - We both continue our Doctoral studies</div> <bR> <div> June 14 - The new school year begins at BSOP.  Our teaching loads and other details have not yet been determined…</div> <bR> <div> December 27, 2004 to January 1, 2005 - OMF-Philippines Field Conference.  150 OMF missionaries plan to meet for spiritual refreshment, planning, etc.  Jay is the chairman of the planning committee for this. He, therefore, has much to do during all of 2004 to prepare for the conference.  Please pray for him!</div> <bR> <div> [<A HREF="id84_sksk.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="0312nlPhotos"><U>Click here to see photo: "Preaching as a team in November at a nearby church, using PowerPoint."</U></A>]</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="a_prayer_guide"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>A prayer guide</B></div> <bR> <div> Monday - Please pray for the prayer and spiritual life of all faculty and students.</div> <bR> <div> Tuesday - Pray for Jay to be an effective teacher, to be able to choose the right material, and to teach it well to his classes.</div> <bR> <div> Wednesday - Pray for Amor as she mentors several different young ladies.  May she be able to encourage and challenge each one in just the right way!</div> <bR> <div> Thursday - In the morning we have a Faculty and Staff Prayer Meeting, then a Faculty Meeting.  May God use us to relate to and encourage the faculty appropriately.</div> <bR> <div> Friday - Pray for new students to enroll at the seminary.  Pray for the overcoming of difficulties (financial and family needs, visas and government permission) so that the ones God is calling from both other countries and the Philippines may be able to come and study.</div> <bR> <div> Saturday - Please pray for our relationships with family, friends, godchildren, neighbors, students, faculty, etc.  May we truly love each and point each to Jesus as is needed!</div> <bR> <div> Sunday - We are often preaching in different churches on Sunday.  Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit on our preparation and preaching, and in the application to the lives of the hearers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="christmas_greetings"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Christmas Greetings</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="12c87bc0.gif" border=0 width="135" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I>Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</I></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="thank_you"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Thank You!</B></div> <bR> <div> Thank you very much for listening to the Lord and letting Him use you as partners in our ministry.  Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your gifts, your support, and your cards, letters, e-mails, etc.  </div> <bR> <div> If you sense the Lord leading you to support us,  please contact us, our church, or:  </div> <div> OMF, 10 W. Dry Creek Circle</div> <div> Littleton, CO  80120-4424</div> <div> www.us.omf.org, 1-800-422-5330</div> <bR> <div> Any gifts designated for our ministry are tax-deductible.  Personal gifts (such as for birthdays or Christmas) may also be channeled through OMF at the address above, clearly marked as a personal gift.  Personal gifts are not tax-deductible.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> by Jay and Amor Hallowell</div> <div> Last update: December 6, 2003</div> <div> --------------------------------- end of Hallowell content ----------------------------------------------</div> </td> </tr></table></body>