My Precious Grandmom

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know that my grandmom is very fragile and often very sick.  Two weeks ago, she had a check-up with the doctor regarding a serious illness and surgery she endured in May. The next day, the doctor called my mom with grandmom's terminal diagnosis - fast-growing cancer in her liver and one lung.

She is truly a woman of the Word, of prayer, and admired by many! Grandmom was once a missionary in the bushes of Sierra Leone, Africa and although her two feet haven't been outside a few home states since her return from Africa, her influence has circled the globe, and her prayers have touched every nation. For many, many years she has financially supported almost as many missionaries and ministries as I have books on my shelf, including Samaritan's Purse, World Missionary Press, missionaries from the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, World Gospel Mission, the Wesleyan Church, and more.

I'm selfish to want her here any longer, enduring more. She wants to be with Jesus! She told me on the night of her diagnosis "my suffering will be short, but eternity will be long!"

For more than 10 years, Grandmom has been writing her testimony and life story in book form.  We praise the Lord that He gave her the strength and sight to finish her final revisions!!!  Once in printed form, this book will certainly be a gem for our family - a book to be cherished long after Grandmom is gone.  In it, she talks about life as a missionary, a pastor's wife, a mother, precious moments with Jesus, and life since Granddad passed away almost 20 years ago. I can't wait to read it and I pray that I will never take her written words for granted. 

Thank you for continuing to pray for Grandmom and that she will be with the Lord before she suffers much more.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Cherishing her legacy,
Jewel

Romdenhs in America: December Update and Specific Prayer Requests for Upcoming Trip

Carpe Diem

I HATE that few things in life cause me reflect on "today" as death and the fear of death.  I HATE that I am so guilty of taking TODAY for granted and not taking advantage of each moment in time.   Today, I am again facing this paradox of life and death - of living abundantly and of abruptly reaching the end.


“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” -Henry David Thoreau
Below, I have shared my friend Jason Helm's facebook status.  Jason and I attended the same middle school, high school, and university; but because he was a number of years ahead of me, our paths never crossed until May 2010, halfway across the globe on the coast of Mozambique, Africa.  During the two months that I was a missionary intern until his watch, Jason really challenged and strengthened me in a lot of ways.  The news that Jason has cancer has made me... simply put: Sad. And reflective.

Carpe Diem... We all know that two word phrase. Latin for “Seize the Day”. It’s always has been in the back of my mind throughout my life. I believe that because of this I haven’t always fit into the mold that life and people have tried to fit me in. I have always tried to follow after Christ and do what I know is right even if it has meant being misunderstood or unaccepted by others. One of
the biggest decisions in my life was to take my new wife and move to Africa to serve as teachers and missionaries in Mozambique. The ones closest to us understood but many did not. We have been in Mozambique full time now for 7 years and have seen some truly amazing things and would not give up that experience for anything. Among many things we have received two of the most wonderful and amazing blessings in our lives, which are our children. Two truly African - American blessings whom we love dearly. I know at this point that I am rambling and everyone wants to know how my biopsy came out. With every ounce of strength and courage I tell you that my results did not come out as hoped. I have been diagnosed with cancer. This has been shocking and almost numbing to hear the results today from both the pathologist and oncologist that I do indeed have cancer. We will not know the exact type until Tuesday next week, but it is most likely cancer of the Pancreas that has spread into the liver. I will continue to update all of you as I receive info but I want leave you with a couple questions. Are you going through life on Cruise Control? What have you done today to make and eternal difference?
~Jason

Life… is fragile, is precious, is short!!
Every day is one more page in your life.
Every moment is an opportunity.
Smile and say hello to strangers.
Don’t take your friends or family for granted.
Don’t worry so much over the little things and don’t fight over the little irritations of life.
Say I love you to the people you love.
Enjoy your time where ever you are, at work, at the gym,at the library, resting at your house, in a park …just enjoy every moment.

Please join me in praying for my friend, Jason!

Serving Him,

Jewel

The TOEFL

Please pray for Titus as he is preparing to take the TOEFL test tomorrow. The TOEFL test is a requirement for him, as a speaker of English as a second language, to begin taking classes at Indiana Wesleyan University. It will evaluate his listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in English. The test will begin at 9:00am and the estimated length is 4 long hours. We’re really coveting your prayers for the test – as this is very important for Titus and he is pretty nervous. Please pray for: clarity, confidence, and concentration. We will receive his results two weeks after the test.  The waiting game never ends!

Serving Him,

Jewel & Titus

and here I am, honest

I have some very dear friends on their way home from a missions trip in Uganda.  They will come home with incredible stories, testimonies of God's goodness and power, and changed hearts; and HERE I am.

Here I am.
Yearning to GO.
Yearning to SHARE.
Yearning to BE USED.
"...Understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here..." (Romans 13:11, 12). Christ is coming back and only 1.3% of Cambodia’s population knows Christ as Lord and Savior.


"You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God!'"
Isaiah 40:9

the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:2,3; 10:1-3; 11:13,14:

"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers... Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness... Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them."

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?..."
Romans 10:14,15


Yet,
Trying to patiently WAIT for the door to open.
Looking for His PLAN for us here.
HOLDING FAST to His spoken Word in Jeremiah 29:4-7,

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.'"

I'm happy for my friends; proud of them, actually. I'm glad that all 12 ladies had the opportunity to go.  I'm excited to see them and to hear their stories and see their pictures. I'm anxious to hear how God used them and spoke to them, and what He's calling them to next.



Rachael at the orphanage where the team lived for a week


A few of the ladies on the team with Uthman, an orphaned, Ugandan boy that a family in our church is in the process of adopting; Uthman has not yet been blessed to meet his new family , but he knows each of them by name.


"Painting the Kwagala Prjoect’s salon today and through God’s provision blessing them with a business loan, aprons, capes, and supplies for their salon. Loved hearing from the director that because of God’s provision they will now be up at running at full force by the end of the week! All glory to God!" - Jade, women's team leader to Uganda 


Joy in receiving [their own copy of] God's Written Word!

...but I'm anxious for my turn.  Lord HERE I am, use me.

Love, love, love,
Jewel

Marriage, Missional Living, and Mountains

Friends, Family, and Supporters,

     Much has happened since that last time I officially wrote to you all. Some of you have been a part of our life’s most recent happenings, others of you may be wondering where in the world we are and what we are doing. We have decided to pursue American citizenship. This will allow Titus to freely leave and enter the United States without hassle; it removes the threat of being denied a visa to enter the United States; it waves all further increasing visa/paperwork fees; etc. Obtaining citizenship is a long (~3-5 years!) and expensive process, and the decision has been very difficult to make; however, God has been speaking to our hearts, reminding us (I especially need this reminder!) that "…my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Yes, there are still days when I yearn for 'peace which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7,) but I rest in Him and listen to my husband’s confident/encouraging word. I do not know what the next 3-5 years will look like. I just know that right now we are waiting, preparing, training, and seeking.

     Through prayer and fundraising efforts, we continue to be distant partners in the ministry in Cambodia that Titus started before he came to America in October. We wish that we could do more; we wish that we could be there now. Romans 10:14 says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" We are happy to announce that the University Students Fellowship has received funding to rent a house and open a girls’ dorm. More than four students have gotten saved and are being discipled, and the leaders are currently preparing for a Valentine’s outreach this Sunday, at which they will talk about God’s love. Our prayer is that God will continue to bless the ministry that our friends are carrying on in Cambodia, and that He will continue to teach and strengthen us to do His work, wherever we are.
     February is ‘Missions Month’ at our church and we have already enjoyed hearing two powerful missionary testimonies. In a January preview to Missions Month, Pastor Bob preached a sermon entitled ‘Missional Living’ - a lifestyle of adopting the posture, thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to engage others with the Gospel message. I had been thinking about this very idea for weeks prior to Pastor Bob’s sermon, and I have felt much conviction. I have a heart for the world – for international missions – but I am embarrassed to admit that I’m a little uncomfortable trying to find my place being a missionary at home. I ask you to join us in prayer that God will direct us, opening our eyes to opportunities to share His love and to evangelize, and especially strengthening us to be obedient. We are grateful for His conviction… and His patience. :)
“No one can say: ‘Since I’m not called to be a missionary, I do not have to evangelize my friends and neighbors.’ There is no difference, in spiritual terms, between a missionary witnessing in his home town and a missionary witnessing in Katmandu, Nepal. We are all called to go—even if it is only to the next room, or the next block.”(On Being a Missionary by Thomas Hale
     Other highlights from life together in America thus far:

On October 29th, Titus and I stood in front of God and almost 300 witnesses to commit our lives to each other and our marriage to Him. We were blessed to have a wonderful wedding party of family and friends who traveled from New York, Maryland, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas to support us. To those of you who were able to come, thank you again so much for celebrating with us. It was a beautiful day – one that I have recollected many, many times – that was enhanced by the presence of friends and family who love us and have invested in our lives. Although no members from Titus’ family were able to attend, we were blessed by the presence of Cambodian friends, ministry partners, former and present missionaries to Cambodia, and others who represent a love for/knowledge of Cambodia.
     Since Titus arrived in America four months ago, he has grown to love my family and my family has grown to love him. It is a blessing to me that – although the adjustment to food, weather, church, language, streets, customs, etc. have been very, very challenging and uncomfortable – He has genuinely found himself “at home” with my family. Many and sincere THANKS are due to our family and friends who have reached out to him and tried to welcome him to America and into their lives. Thank you also to those who have given furniture, kitchenware, and other household items to help make our little block apartment our home.
     After five months of working 50+ hours/week at three jobs (Cracker Barrel, Lakeview Christian Pre-School, and “janitoring” at Brookhaven,) the Lord has blessed me with a full-time position in the School of Business and Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University – a job with health insurance, a more-than-sufficient salary, paid vacation days, free tuition, and more. Titus and I both plan on taking advantage of the blessing of FREE TUITION, and while Titus is still praying about which direction to take, I am already looking forward to starting Biblical Literature classes this summer.


     In conclusion, I want to ask for your prayers for two requests that have been on my heart. First: Last week, our friend Soklai– a faithful member of one of the Wesleyan churches in Cambodia’s capital city – died suddenly and unexpectedly. When he died, Soklai was sitting in a chair, playing with his young daughter. Second: My sister and her Filipino fiancé have begun the process of applying for a fiancé visa to America. Titus and I saw God move big mountains during our application period, and I pray that Jessie and Aldean’s testimony will be the same: that their faith will increase.
     As always, thank you. Thank you for reading, for supporting, for praying, for loving, and for giving. We pray that this message finds you happy, healthy, and strong in the Lord.

Serving Him,
Titus & Jewel

August 2011: An Update on What God is Doing Here and There

Friends, Family, and Supporters,

Greetings from a freshly-rained-upon Central Indiana. Praise the Lord for rain!! This past week I attended the Indiana North District of the Wesleyan Church’s Family Camp for at least my 15th summer-in-a-row. “What did you do at Family Camp?” I settled down two- and three-year-olds

in the nursery during the evenings, made special memories with friends around a campfire until
midnight, worshipped the Lord under a tent in the morning, heard the Word preached by powerful evangelists, helped organize a carnival, and joined 300+ others for meals in the dinning hall. Oh, and I dressed like Batman and rode a tandem bicycle with Superwoman in the children’s bike parade! At Family Camp, I have been reminded of all the ways that God has been faithful since this week last year. God has been overwhelmingly good to me in NUMEROUS ways. In the past few weeks my twin sister and best friend (Jessie) has moved to New York for grad school, Grandmom has been so sick and hospitalized since late June, and my fiancé remains 10,000+ miles away… but God has been faithfully present and real to me, especially during my loneliest times.

In July, Titus hosted a short-term missions team from a Wesleyan church in Rochester, New York. He translated for them, traveled with them, and assisted them in their ministry in various

churches, villages, and at an orphanage. He also enjoyed spending time with old friends, and meeting new friends. Thank you to Phalkun and Janell and their team for their willingness to deliver some packages to Cambodia for me, and for their willingness to shop for Cambodian attire for our ring bearer and flower girls. ☺ Their kindness has been a blessing to me! Last week, Titus had a medical exam at an international clinic to meet the visa requirements before his interview. He received the results from the exam yesterday and we are praising the Lord that Titus is healthy, strong, and able to travel. Please join us in praising the Lord for a good health report. There are three remaining documents needing to be processed by the Commune Chief, and we are presently waiting [and checking the website every hour] on the embassy to post Titus’ interview date and time online. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join us in praying that he will be given an early date!

Despite not knowing when Titus will be granted his visa, I have p.r.o.g.r.e.s.s.e.d in planning our wedding, confident that God will bring him here soon enough. It has been very stressful, but I have enjoyed preparing for our special day because – while we have been separated by MANY miles for MANY days – the wedding brings the promise that we will spend the rest of our days together, as husband and wife, as partners in the ministry He has called us to. Throughout this time of waiting and preparation for Titus’ MUCH-ANTICIPATED arrival, I have been reminded of the privilege and mandate to prepare myself to be the Bride of Christ. In the New Testament, Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the Church - those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal savior and have received eternal life - to be His bride (Eph 5:25-27). Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated, so is the Bride of Christ separate from her Bridegroom during the Church Age. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:24). At the Second Coming of Christ, the Church will be united with the Bridegroom, the official "wedding ceremony" will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Rev 19:7-9; 21:1-2). Oh how I greatly anticipate BOTH of my weddings!

Again, until our YWAM application is complete, processed, and approved, giving to our future ministry is limited to personal donations at this time. If interested, there is a PayPal giving button on this blog. If your church or any church you know would be interested in allowing us to come and share, please share their contact information with us. As always, thank you. Thank you for reading, for supporting, for praying, for loving, and for giving. The knowledge that you are simply behind us gives me confidence to pursue God’s will and the visions that He has given us.

Praying and Believing, 
Jewel (and Romdenh Chamnol)

A Speaking Engagement

Satan knows that God has been doing awesome things in the hearts of the people of Cambodia, and he has been fighting against it; however, GOD IS STILL VICTORIOUS, and He continues to send encouragement and reveal His goodness.

This Sunday morning I have my first official speaking engagement as a future long-term missionary in Cambodia, and I am feeling pretty nervous. I have never been to the church, nor the town. I know only the pastor, his wife, and their three children. Saturday evening I am also preparing a Cambodian meal for the congregation, and I am feeling equally nervous about that.

Please join me in praying that God will communicate through me His love for the people of Cambodia, and engage the church community to feel a sense of urgency to reach the lost. I have a lot to say, but I pray that my words would be put aside so that God's message can be shared.
Thank you for your prayers and support!

Serving Him,
Jewel

The Power of Prayer

Let me know if you would like one of our prayer cards to keep in a place that you will see frequently and be reminded to pray for us during this long and grueling wait.

Use it as a marker in your Bible.

Frame in next to your computer.

Hang it on your fridge for all your company to admire see.

Tape it to your bathroom mirror.

How can you pray? Thanks for asking! LET ME TELL YOU:
*Sunday: For Titus, as he anticipates transitioning out of his current ministry position (pastoring in Kampong Spue) and training another to take his place.

*Monday: That I will remain focused as I try to finish out the school year and look towards graduation in April. That Titus will be encouraged and energized in/by His ministry.

*Tuesday: That the government will be accountable to approve Titus' visa within a timely manner, allowing us to get married at my home church on October 22, 2011.

*Wednesday: That Titus and I will continue to be faithful in praying, fasting, and seeking the Lord's will.

*Thursday: Especially: For a peace that transcends all understanding, as we trust that the Lord's will WILL BE DONE.

*Friday: That God will continue to prepare us - in every aspect - for future long-term ministry as husband and wife in Cambodia.

*Saturday: That our relationship will continue to be strengthened during this time of separation.

*AND EVERY DAY: Praise the Lord for the awesome things that He has already done in our lives and relationship - opening the door for me to visit Cambodia last Dec. and Jan.; providing the finances necessary for us to apply for the visa; blessing us with an incredible support system of friends and family; giving us the same dream, passion, and vision for ministry; and strengthening us with His sustaining power.

I know you love getting mail, and I love certainly appreciate your prayers. Leave a comment or mail your address to jewel.reed at student.indwes.edu . Seriously, I will mail it the next day! Thank you for your prayers

Love love love, Jewel
[and Titus]

Swept away...

I cannot get the recent catastrophe in Japan off my mind.

For more than two terrifying, seemingly endless minutes Friday, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan shook apart homes and buildings, cracked open highways and unnerved even those who have learned to live with swaying skyscrapers. Then came a devastating tsunami that slammed into coastal Japan, killing hundreds of people. The violent wall of water swept away houses, cars and ships. Fires burned out of control. Power to a cooling system at a nuclear power plant was knocked out, forcing thousands to flee in fear of deadly radiation. A boat carrying 100 persons was caught in the vortex of a whirlpool at sea.

According to Yahoo News, it was the fifth-largest earthquake in the world since the 1800s and was nearly 8,000 times stronger than one that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month.

While the official death toll rose to nearly 1,900, the discovery of the washed-up bodies and other reports of deaths suggest the true number is much much much higher. In Miyagi, the police chief has estimated 10,000 deaths in his province alone.

This afternoon, from the Washington Post:

"Hundreds of dead have washed ashore on Japan’s devastated northeast coast since last week’s earthquake and tsunami. Others were dug out of the debris Monday by firefighters using pickaxes and chain saws."

Can you even imagine?

How can we respond to this? I was struck when I read Psalm 46 this morning,

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Praying for Japan, Jewel

Urgent Prayers for Lily

I ask for your urgent prayers for two-year-old Lily, the daughter of Pastor Rotha and Elizabeth. A week ago, Lily was admitted into the hospital due to breathing complications. After only two days, the doctors saw improvement in her condition, she could breath on her own and was stronger; however, an underlying cause had not been found.

On Sunday, the results of Lily's blood test brought bad news. The results showed that her white blood cells are attacking her red blood cells, a possible diagnosis of anemia or another autoimmune disease. This is quite possibly the underlying cause of her original symptoms, and the doctors fear that the prognosis could be fatal.

Please pray that God...
...provides wisdom to the doctors at the hospital to give the proper treatment.
...would place His hand upon Lily, performing a special miracle of healing.
...brings strength and hope to Pastor Rotha and Elizabeth to endure this difficult and heart-wrenching time of waiting.
...allows the Body of Christ in Cambodia to minister and be a blessing to Lily and her family.

Nekru Chariya

My dear friend Chariya is pregnant and due very soon. Please pray for a safe delivery and also for their financial needs for the said delivery. Please pray for the whole family's readiness for the arrival of the baby, as Pastor Arun [husband] is now busy preparing for his class lessons in January, and as they juggle a new son and their 1-year-old adopted son Ruben [Ben Ben].

Arun and Chariya live in Cambodia, and recently accepted positions as teachers at the Wesleyan Bible Institute. I've taught many English lessons alongside Arun and Chariya in their churches in Kampong Speu and Siem Reap.

Jayden Adriel Tejeda

Pray for Jayden, born very premature to my friends Gerson and Betsy.

Gerson, Betsy, & a Gersonito

Please pray for my friend Betsy. She is having complications with pregnancy, and may be forced to induce at only thirty-one weeks. God has already worked miracles in her life, providing a way to the States (from Bolivia) for optimum medical care. God then provided her husband, Gerson, with an American visa - so the two are together! Please remember Betsy and Gerson, their little baby boy, and the doctors. Here is a link to her blog if you want to read more: http://gersonybetsy.blogspot.com/