Weekly Messages

In the past, we haven't been as good at keeping you up to date on the things happening in our ministry. This is about to change. Beginning today, I am sending out a weekly email or FB message (however you'd prefer to receive it) with updates, praises, and prayer requests on a weekly basis.

If you are interested in receiving these emails, please send me a message on Facebook (Jenny Cox Gentry) or send me an email (jennygentry06@gmail.com), and I will include you on the list.

I've already sent out the first message detailing our schedule for this month. If you'd like to receive that, please let me know.

October Schedule

Weeks ago we asked you to pray about our October schedule. Well, you prayed, and God is answering!

PRAISES:

1. As of today, we have every Sunday morning and Wednesday night filled between October 16 and November 2!
2. Some dear friends of ours are hosting us in their home during this time in order to help us keep costs down!
3. We participated in World Communion Sunday at a church in South MS on October 2, serving communion in two of three services and sharing during the Sunday school hour as well. As it was our second time participating, the pastor shared with us that we will likely pick up some monthly support from the church!

God is GOOD!

There are a few things to pray about as well:

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. We need to fill 4 Sunday evenings, 1 more Sunday morning, and 1 more Wednesday.
2. We need to line up as many individual meetings as we can during the weekdays following each service.
3. Please pray that the Lord will break our hearts anew before each service for the Mexican people and help us to help others see the spiritual need of the people.
4. Please pray against attacks of the enemy during this time. He loves to deal in Discouragement, Despair, and Divisiveness. Please pray against these Ds of the devil.
5. Please pray for traveling mercies as we travel to North Carolina and as we travel to and from each of the services/meetings.


Thank you so much for all your continued prayers and support. We are praying that this month will be the jolt we need to get some momentum in our funding. Only God could've put all this together, and so we are trusting that He has something BIG planned for our family and the ministry He's called us to.

North Carolina in October

I've been working on putting together a plan of attack for what we hope to be a month jam-packed with church and individual meetings throughout western and central North Carolina.

Please pray with us for the following:

1. Filled Sunday and Wednesday night meetings.
2. Filled meetings each week with individuals in each region we visit.
3. Housing (hotels could get expensive)
4. Supportive pastors
5. No scheduling conflicts!

Thank you very much for your continued prayer and support. We seriously could not do this without you. God is the one who blesses, but you are the vessels He chooses to use.

Faith Promises and What They Are Not

Whenever we sit down with people, or share from the pulpit on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings, we always ask people to consider a faith promise gift. Unless that person has given to missionaries in the past, most often they are unfamiliar with that concept. A faith promise is a donation that an individual makes, trusting that God is going to be faithful to provide the needed money at the appointed time.


When I ask folks to consider a faith promise, I'm not asking them about their budgets. I don't want to know if they can afford to donate or not. Because, quite frankly, we often cannot. We are so overextended financially these days because we have gotten away from the concept of living within our means and saving for the things we want or need. Credit has become the norm. And so we are, many of us, deeply in debt. It is little wonder missionaries and other ministries are turned down or hurting for funding these days. Fewer and fewer folks are donating because they have fewer and fewer dollars to spend.


When we rely on ourselves and neglect to trust in God's provision for us, we miss out on a huge blessing. Recently, we were forced to rely on God to provide a mere $1.75 each to get back to Greenwood from downtown Indy. A mere $1.75! We didn't have it--all of our money had been stripped away prior to the field trip. But obviously, as I'm sitting here back at home in Mississippi, God provided. I cannot begin to tell you the blessing we received when we completely trusted God for His provision. How freeing to not have to "worry" where every penny was coming from!


If a missionary asks you to prayerfully consider supporting them with a faith promise pledge, they are not asking you to consult your checkbook. They are not asking you to pour over your budget to see if there's any wiggle room. They are not asking you to be the ones to support them. What they are asking you to do is to ask God how much He wants to donate through you. In other words, you're asking God how much extra money He is going to provide each month for you to in turn donate to those missionaries. In essence, even though you are the ones listed on paper as the givers, it is actually God who is the giver. You are merely the tool, the funnel, He uses to provide for His workers.


And when you have stepped out in faith and committed to the faith promise, if it is from God, He will provide in sometimes the most unexpected ways! A couple years ago, while at a camp meeting, both of us felt that we should donate to the camp. We came up with a number in our heads, according to what we thought we could afford, of course. But then, the Lord asked us to double it! We couldn't afford that! However, we felt very strongly that He was asking us to pledge that amount. And so we did with great trepidation. That very first month our pledge was due, someone hired Troy to do an odd job. They hadn't discussed pay ahead of time, but neither was Troy concerned about it. When the job was finished, he received a check from the man. In the exact amount needed for our first pledge payment! God had provided, just as He'd promised. And so it went.


Folks, if God is asking us to do something, He will provide the strength, ability, or resources to do it. We believe very strongly that He has called us to this ministry in Mexico City and know that He will provide. While He owns all the cattle on the hillsides, He provides for us most often through other people. But those people must be willing and obedient to His leading, just as Troy and I must be in our calling.


So the next time a missionary---possibly even Troy or I---asks you to consider a faith promise pledge, instead of answering with the automatic no (unless you've prayed about it ahead of time and sense God giving you that answer, of course), or mentally running through your checkbook or budget to see if there's room, pray and ask God how much He wants to give through you.


I promise you will not regret it.

Some Prayer Requests

We are working on our schedule now that Troy's time at WBS and our training session in Indy is completed. Troy will be leading a Sunday school class at a local church through September. The hope of ours (as well as the individual who helped us arrange this) is that we will receive some support from either the class and/or the individuals involved in the class. Please be praying with that the Lord will speak through Troy as he leads this class.

Some of you may have already heard, but we recently received a generous gift from a total stranger! While we have yet to meet this couple, I (Jenny) had been chatting with them in an Amazon forum about Christian books. Through the discussion, I was able to mention that we were missionaries raising support for our first term. The husband is an evangelist from Hawaii who felt that God was leading him to give us an encouragement blessing! Please be in prayer with us for Chuck as he is traveling today to Taiwan for a month of preaching and teaching. Pray for open hearts and safe traveling mercies.

Finally, we would like to spend the entire month of October in North Carolina. We'll be contacting some of the pastors there soon to schedule meetings. Our prayer is to fill each Sunday (morning and evening, when possible) and all but 1 Wednesday with meetings. What we hope to do is to spend a few days with each church. We'd have a meeting with the body and then invite individuals to meet with us one-on-one for more information about our ministry. Please be in prayer with us as we begin to schedule these meetings. Pray that the Lord will fill the month with both church meetings and individual meetings as well.

Thank you for all your continued prayers on our behalf. We greatly value them. As always, if there is something we can pray about for you, please let us know.

Excitement in the Mundane

Today we took our lunch break to open a savings account here in Greenwood, something that is a totally mundane occurrence. Until the woman setting up the account asked me (Jenny) where I work. I instantly blurted, "Nowhere," as that is what has customarily been my answer. Then the thought struck me that yes, I am employed. As a salary-receiving missionary candidate of One Mission Society, I most certainly am employed. Troy later remarked that he'd been able to respond to that question with, "I work at Wesley Biblical Seminary", but then, with a similar jolt, realized that was not true.

A mundane occurrence such as opening a savings account profoundly impacted us by serving as a stark reminder of our commitment to step out of the boat and trust God fully for our every needs---especially our funding needs.

Thank You, God, for the excitement in the mundane.

Field Trip of Faith

I want to warn you now, the following post is LONG. So please only read it when you have the time to really read it. Thanks!



When you see or hear the words “field trip”, what are you reminded of? That grade-school field trip you took to your state’s capitol building? How about the “insider’s” view tour you took of the back of a grocery store in early elementary (did this in either kindergarten or first grade and thought it was MAGICAL back there. Then, once I actually worked in a grocery store in high school, it somehow lost it’s magic)? Anyway, when I saw the words “field trip” on our schedule for today, I immediately was thinking of something soothing and relaxing--maybe a meal off-campus with the whole group (minus the children). And then, like working in a grocery store burst that bubble of how magical the back of a store was, Friday’s corporate Bible study had the same effect on my expectations of today’s field trip.

We looked at the passages of Jesus sending out the twelve and the seventy two, in pairs, and His very detailed instructions of what they could or could not bring. Almost immediately, little warning bells started sounding in my head. My heart sank as an idea took shape---they were going to pair us up and send us out into downtown Indy to do street evangelism. Was it too late to back out of this whole CROSS training experience? Maybe if I worked at it really hard, I could somehow develop a strangely rare, non-contagious disease that lasted only twenty-four hours, yet would prohibit me from participating. Some of you might be shocked right now. A missionary scared of doing street evangelism? I mean, is that even allowed??? Yes, it is, and the word should be “terrified”, not merely “scared”.

Fast-forward to today. Knowing that we would be fasting through lunch, our plan of action was to eat a good breakfast. At the appointed time, I noticed that my usual purposeful strides as I walked across campus toward the main building were somewhat lagging in their enthusiasm. And as the departure time kept drawing nearer and nearer, my heart rate kept increasing, and dread completely took up residence in my gut.

In an attempt to make a long story a tiny bit shorter, I’ll just lay it out. We were split into four groups of three, told to empty our pockets of all but our IDs (no credit cards, no cash, no phones---although we each did carry a bottle of water, as it was HOT today), given one baggie of change per group and some further directions, and dropped off at the bus stop. Each team had enough change to ride the bus from Greenwood to downtown Indy....and that’s all. We were to arrange our own rides back. Say, what???

My group arrived at our designated spot, a lovely park area with a fountain of scantily-clad women (not so lovely), directly across from the Indiana war memorial. During the long bus ride there, we had (reluctantly) agreed that we would not ask people for the return bus fare---we would simply pray that God would provide and then leave it in His hands. Once we’d written down some ideas, some immediate feelings (more terror, worry, panic, etc), and then figured out our plan of attack for the morning, we each set out individually to walk the perimeter and just pray. Knowing my tendency to worry things to death, and my tendency to have to know all the details ahead of time, I was really struggling with this whole idea. So during our short time of prayer away from each other, I had to give it all to God. This whole kind of thing is so out of my comfort zone, that it’s in a whole ‘nother state from my comfort zone, okay. And going up to people I don’t know and asking them about God? Same thing. Just because I am a missionary (well, a missionary candidate who hasn’t yet been to the field, anyway) doesn’t mean that I’m totally comfortable sharing my faith with strangers. You might ask how someone is to reach people for Christ if they aren’t willing to share with strangers, and that is a totally fair question. Today reinforced several things for me and one of them is that I need more boldness in order to be effective for Christ. I can’t let fear dictate what I will or will not do. It was also brought home to me the fact that there are many things in the Word I still do not know, and that is mainly because I’ve gotten lazy about reading my Bible and having my quiet time with God. Realizing that, it’s little wonder why I was so ill-equipped for today’s excursion.

As the morning went on, the realization came to me that I really had turned our return trip over to God. I wasn’t stewing over it. I wasn’t trying to figure out in my head how in the world we were going to come up with $5.25 and who we could ask for it. I was assured that God was going to provide somehow. There are no words to describe how freeing this was for me. I am the type of person who has to have everything all figured out. I need a plan. Living by faith is a foreign concept for me. Yeah, God recently asked Troy to leave his job and live on a smaller income as we fund-raise full time. But a smaller income is completely different than no income! Knowing that none of us had a dime in our pockets, nor any plastic with which to procure some cash could’ve been---should’ve been---a really frightening thing. And yet the assurance was there.

During the course of the day, through the boldness of one of our team members (who, I don’t believe met a stranger in the park the way he was able to converse with them), and through offering to take pictures for people and because of other people striking up conversations with us. we were able to speak with a Muslim family from Turkey, a Buddhist woman from the West Coast, a few homeless men, and several fellow Christians who were more of a blessing to us than we were to them. I was never bold enough to approach anyone and share Christ with them, but I did come out of my shell enough to approach people I didn’t know for the pictures. This is all a work in progress (not that I’d like to do this exercise again, mind, but I imagine God will continue to use this in teaching moments with me for a long time to come).

By 3 PM, we started making our way to our bus stop, knowing full well that we had no money to actually ride the bus home. We had no idea how God was going to provide. (But the fact that you’re able to read this proves that He did.) As we rounded the corner, we could see our bus coming down the street. Some panic set in, at least for me. Then, glancing up, we saw another team walking our way. They asked if we were ready to get on the bus, but when we admitted that we hadn’t gotten any money, they smiled at us and encouraged us to get on the bus anyway. When we objected, they smiled again and said, “We have enough for you.” Stunned, we raced to get on the bus, wondering how in the world---and where---they had gotten enough for both of our groups. But there was still more money left! A few bus stops down, we spotted another team. They’d found a free one-day bus pass that someone had taped to the bus stop shelter’s window, but still needed the money for two more people. Our fellow teammates had the money for them as well. They explained that, through the course of a conversation with someone, they’d shared their predicament, but had left it to talk of other things. At the end of the conversation, they’d walked away from this man only to have him chase them down and give them $20!! All told, there was enough money for 8 people to ride the bus---with $5 leftover! Back at our stop in Greenwood, one of the men was able to give the remaining money to two women who were getting on the bus as we got off, furthering the original giver’s blessing to include 10 people! We later discovered that the fourth team had met a group meeting for a Bible study (and were actually able to join in their Bible study!) and, through conversation with them, met someone who kindly gave the three of them a ride back to Greenwood from downtown Indy!

God faithfully provided a way home for all of us and taught us all many valuable lessons on faith in the mean time. For me, the lesson I will take home with me from the whole experience is that I don’t need to have it all figured out. I’ve always admired the faith of missionaries like Hudson Taylor, who prayed in their needs and didn’t worry about them. But until today, I didn’t really think that kind of faith was actually possible. Friends, I am sitting here at this computer because it IS possible! God knows what our needs are and He is more than able to provide them. He knew that we needed a way home from downtown and He provided. And not only provided, but provided abundantly!

The question is, do we have enough faith to let Him?

The End of an Era

As we wrap up the last weekend and last week of June, we realize that a very large chunk of our married lives is coming to a close at the end of this week. 9 years ago we were hastily packing up our house in Iowa and preparing to be separated for 6 weeks--after placing all of our belongings in temporary storage, Troy was to drive to Jackson where he would take a summer class and live in the dorm. Jenny, Tayler, and Clayton were to temporarily move into her mom's house in West Des Moines until a house in Jackson could be found and the rest of the family (and their belongings) could be brought to MS. We waited on the Lord to see what He would have for our family. And He most definitely provided abundantly. There were years when I know without doubt that the only way we were able to make those ends meet was because He had supplied our needs. We added two more precious children to our family during our time here. And we made so many wonderful friendships that will last for the rest of our lives. I am so grateful for our Wesley Biblical Seminary family, as family they have become.

Thursday is Troy's last day at the seminary. Tomorrow marks our final Sunday of full-involvement at Wesley Chapel. Such huge landmarks for our family. But landmarks that are, nonetheless, essential. It is time for us to focus all of our energies on doing our part to see this ministry funded. We realize--as recent posts remind us--that God is ultimately the One providing. But we also have to do our part. And so as hard as it is to say goodbye, it's something that must happen. Although we will still be in the Jackson area until (probably) December, we will be busy scheduling meetings in churches and with individuals.

We will be leaving in a week for a month-long training session at OMS headquarters in Greenwood, Indiana. At the end of July, we'll return to our house here in Jackson where we will "hit the ground running." We covet your prayers for the following items:

(1) That God will bless our time of training, not only for us but our fellow trainees and our trainers as well.

(2) As we return home, that God will enable Troy in a supernatural way to do what is needed to make and keep his meetings. Asking for money is not something that comes easily for him. I know he would covet your prayers in this matter.

(3) This will, hopefully, be our final semester of home-schooling for the children. It will be the busiest year yet with Cody starting Kindergarten, Tori in 2nd grade, Clayton in 5th grade, and Tayler in 6th grade. Please pray for me as I work very hard to keep all of us disciplined and on schedule. Please pray also for the kids, that they will do their best to make this the best semester yet, academically. I'm a little nervous to see how all of our work holds up, as when we arrive in Costa Rica, the kids will have to take placement tests in order to determine which grade they are placed in.

Thank you so much for all of your support of our family, both prayerfully and financially. For some of you, letting us go to do our work is difficult. Please don't think we're not sensitive to that. Leaving is never easy. But your support is a huge part of what enables us to do what needs to be done. Know that you will go with us in our hearts wherever God leads us.

We love you all!

Working On Our Behalf

If you've been around the Seminary during Commencement season, you know the great amount of work the maintenance department (ALL the departments, really) does each year to ensure that the building and grounds are in tip-top shape for the guests that arrive for the special events. This year, as the head of the entire department, Troy's had a larger burden on his shoulders during the last few weeks than in years past. And with the end of his time at the Seminary soon coming to an end, it has behooved us to focus our energies on finishing this race strongly. At the end of Cross-Training in July, there will be more than ample time to focus on fund-raising.

So, comfortable with this decision, it was to our great surprise and utter joy that we had not one, not two, but THREE people approach us last week about supporting our family, all within FOUR DAYS' time! We may not be in "funding mode", but that doesn't mean that God has taken a break as well. The events of the last few months have clearly shown us that Troy and Jenny are not funding this ministry at all. GOD is funding this ministry! He who has called us WILL provide....and IS providing!

PRAISE JESUS!

Shortly after posting our last blog entry about Troy's resignation from WBS, I received a phone call from a wonderful gentleman at HQ who has been such an encouragement to us both during this process. He had received our funding report for February and wanted to give me an update.

As of the end of February, WE ARE 52% FUNDED! PRAISE THE LORD! We have not had any meetings since last year, but the Lord has been working on our behalf! Once again, thank you so much for your support for this ministry. God has called us to Mexico....and He IS PROVIDING!

A Giant Leap of Faith

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:25-31 (NIV)


For the last two years, these verses have been in our minds as we have been involved with this funding process. Funding in itself is a difficult thing, not easy for most. Asking for money is never an easy thing, even when it is for the Lord's work. Time and time again, we have felt like Peter must have as he looked at the wind and waves around him and began to sink. Time and time again we have cried out to the Lord to save us from our fear and doubt. And time and time again, He has held out His hand to us and redirected us anew on the path He had set us on.

Up until now, Troy has been working full time at Wesley Biblical Seminary. We've struggled to schedule meetings with individuals here in Jackson, reserving the weekends for any long-distance travels that need to be made. Dividing our time between Troy's work demands and funding has not been as successful as we hoped. In three years of funding, we are only about 45% funded (give or take a few percentage points). However, God has asked us to make, what feels like, a giant leap of faith and end our time at the Seminary. In obedience to this, Troy has submitted his resignation effective June 30.

What does this mean for the Gentrys? Right now, we are unsure as to what our immediate future holds. Ultimately, we know that we will go to Costa Rica for a year of language school and then make the move to Mexico City. But what will we do in the mean time? Regardless of what happens this fall, we will be attending a training session at OMS headquarters in Indiana during the month of July. If we are fully funded (or if we are somehow miraculously released by HQ), we will return home long enough to put our belongings in storage before departing for Costa Rica. If, however, we are not released for language school in August, we will return to Jackson and look for temporary housing. We currently live in seminary housing, which would need to be made available for another seminary couple. Therefore, regardless of the outcome, we will be spending the next few months preparing for a move (not Jenny's favorite thing).

Obviously, our preference is to be in Costa Rica this fall. But above all, we want to be obedient to God's leading---even if His timing is not our own. Please pray with us that God will direct our steps in the coming months. Pray with us that the funds will come in, that we will receive some new contacts, and that He will give us the motivation and energy to get the packing done.

Thank you so much for all your continued prayers and support. We truly are blessed to have ministry partners like you!

Unexpected Blessings

Most of you know that we had planned to be in language school in Costa Rica by the end of April and were very disappointed when it didn't not work out. Since then we have come to see that the Lord knew better. He still has work for us to do before all of our funding is raised and we are released. That became imminently clear within the last couple weeks.

Right after Independence Day, we packed up the van and drove to Indian Springs Holiness Camp in Flovilla, Georgia for 10 days. Once again, we worked in the Children's Tabernacle each day, Troy as the leader on the Missions Porch and me as the Blue Team leader (or more appropriately, the Team Heavy or Bouncer). There were a few people we are able to share with about our ministry, new missionaries we were able to meet, and familiar faces to greet as well. There were times when some of the children or situations frustrated us. But then there were the rewards as well. For example, today, Troy and I are both sporting pink hair. Now, that's not necessarily a reward for US, but for the kids for exceeding our missionary offering goal. In the past the highest amount raised was around $700. This year the kids--with the added incentive of seeing 6 of their team leaders, three of them men, with pink hair--raised over $1,100.00 for a new Children's Center in Zambia, Africa! We were humbled and overcome to see these children go door to door every day in the heat--sacrificing their free time in order to raise more funds for the missions project. Humbling. On the Missions porch, there were several children who told Troy that they had made the commitment to God to go anywhere or do anything He wanted them to do--some even thought that might mission work! Awesome! Another reward was mine today. I got to pray with one little boy in particular who asked Jesus into his heart and life. How awesome to be the vessel used by God to reach this precious life. Again, how humbling.

Over the months we have been frustrated by our lack of progress, like we were as team leaders at camp. But then, also like at camp, God showers us with unexpected blessings that overwhelm and humble us--reminding us again and again of His faithfulness to us. We are at approximately 35% now. There is a long way to go, but we are resting in His promises that as HE HAS CALLED US, He WILL PROVIDE.

When you are facing times of frustration in your own lives, when things do not go according to your plans, think of our story, and remember that God is faithful to provide all our needs according to His riches and glory in HIS time.

Thank you for your prayer support, your financial support, and your friendship. We could not do this without you.

Weekly Update - June 19

Please keep Troy in your prayers today (Saturday) as he is flying to Montana with a group of men from the Jackson area to help do a build for a church there. They flew out of Jackson early this morning into Houston only to discover their flight from Houston on to Denver was cancelled due to mechanical issues with the plane. After some juggling, they were able to get a flight around 2 PM to Seattle where they will then fly (after a 4 hour layover) into Montana, arriving at their destination between 11 PM and midnight tonight. Please pray for safe travel for the men. Please pray that their luggage reaches the destination with them. Pray for Troy as he leads the men in daily devotions. Finally, please pray for safety as they work and for the Lord to minister to them as a group this week.

We have a date for our Mexican FIESTA here in Iowa. It will be Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 PM. Please pray for a good turn out and for the Lord to speak through Jenny as she shares with those who attend.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. This two week period of separation as a family has been kind of rough, but it's been really nice for Jenny and the kids to have this time with her family. Everyone will be thrilled to see Troy next week when he flies into Des Moines on Saturday.

Happy Father's Day to all of our friends and family members who are Daddies! We love you!

Weekly Update - June 12

PRAISES:
Jenny and the kids made it safely to Iowa despite the rain on Friday. Thank you for praying for their safe travel.

We had an awesome meeting in an Independent Methodist church on Wednesday night and were welcomed by the church members. Troy will be speaking again tomorrow morning without the family. Please pray for him as he speaks.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
Jenny is still working on putting together a Mexican Fiesta for our friends and family members in the Oskaloosa area while she and the kids are in Iowa. Please pray that they are able to secure a location, find a date and time that works for the majority of the people, and for a good turn out.

Pray for Troy as he is by himself this week in Mississippi. There is more calling for him to do, but 2 1/2 weeks without the family is a long time.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness in praying for our family. We love you!

Weekly Update - June 5

Thank you for your continued prayers. We truly could not do this without you!

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Continue to pray for Troy as he calls to make meeting appointments--both with individuals and in churches.

2. We will be speaking in a church this Wednesday (June 9) and Troy will be speaking in the same church again next Sunday (June 13). Pray that the Lord will speak through us and that those who hear His message will be receptive.

3. The kids and I will be traveling to Iowa on Thursday for a few weeks with family. The journey will take two days. Please pray for safe traveling mercies.

4. I am putting together a Fiesta for some friends of ours while we're in Iowa. Please pray that all of the details will come together and that we'll have a good turn out. It will be an evening of fun but also a chance to share with our friends what the Lord has been doing for our family these last few years.

We hope you have a great week!

Weekly Update - May 29

PRAISES -

1. We are officially out of the 20th percentile and into the 30s! We are so thankful to see some forward momentum.

2. We've already been able to schedule some meetings and have received some contributions as a result of our latest bulk mailing.

PRAYER REQUESTS -

1. Continue to pray as we continue calling for meetings with individuals.

2. Please continue to pray for our Mexican brothers and sisters as well as our teammates on the field as they mourn--and celebrate--Ernesto Rivera's Homegoing early Friday morning. Pray for his family, friends, church family, and all of our missionary friends who were close to him.

FUTURE REQUESTS -

Troy and Jenny will be traveling separately in June. Please pray that we each are able to set up meetings with individuals at each of our destinations.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We love you all!

Weekly Update - May 22

Thank you for lifting our family up in prayer list week! We NEEDED it! For those who don't already know, both of our boys came down with fevers on Thursday--Cody's spiking at almost 104 degrees! Praise the Lord, the fevers came down before bed time and were completely gone by Friday morning. Praise the Lord, no one else in the family got sick!

Another praise for the week was that we received a very significant check from some donors on Monday and received another pledge that will help boost our percentage out of the 20s once the paper work is finalized at HQ!

Prayer Requests for the week:

1. We have a meeting with a couple tomorrow night.

2. There are several people we are contacting about scheduling meetings with during this coming week. Please pray that we'll be able to make connections and that everyone's schedules will be accommodating.

3. At the suggestion of our wonderful funding coach (thank you, Robin!), we just sent out a large batch of letters to individuals. We send these letters to people making them aware of our intention to call them and request a meeting. The purpose of sending these letters out first is so that we are not necessarily making a "cold call", and to give the individuals an opportunity to look over their schedules before our call. Please pray with us that these letters are well received and that we are able to fill our schedule this summer.

Thank you! We hope you have a blessed week!

Weekly Update - May 15

While this is mostly a ministry blog, our family life is a very real part of our ministry. And so we want to take a minute to thank the Lord for 12 years of marriage together that we will be celebrating tomorrow (May 16). It has not always been easy, but Jesus never promised us "easy", did He? Over the last 12 years we have learned a lot about each other, about ourselves as individuals, and about what Jesus wants to do in and through our marriage.

We have one main prayer request this week. Following a suggestion made by our funding coach at OMS, we'll be sending out a batch of 20-25 letters this week to individuals, asking for a meeting. Our goal is to fill as much of the summer as possible as early as possible. Sending out a half dozen letters at a time generally leaves us with entire weeks not filled because schedules were not compatible. Please pray with us in advance for these letters and for the families who will receive them.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. God bless you!

Weekly Update - May 8

Once again, it seemed like the enemy was attacking our family earlier this week with health issues. Last Saturday night, Troy developed flu-like symptoms and then Sunday afternoon, Cody began running a fever. With such a busy week planned, we immediately sent out requests for prayer. PRAISE THE LORD, Cody's fever went away within hours and stayed away. PRAISE THE LORD that although Troy had to miss work on Monday, by Tuesday he was feeling much better. PRAISE THE LORD, no one else in the family got sick. PRAISE THE LORD, we were able to have one of our meetings that we've been trying to schedule on Wednesday evening before church.

Some requests for the week:

1. There are two couples in particular we're still trying to make contact with. Please pray we'll be able to get in touch with them and schedule meetings.

2. We sent out a new batch of letters this week and will begin calling to schedule meetings on Monday night. Please pray that those we contacted will be favorable to a meeting and that our schedules will mesh.

3. We have a meeting scheduled for Monday night. Please pray that the Lord will speak through us.

4. Please pray that the Lord will help us to know which churches to contact about meetings on weekends.

5. Please begin to pray with us that Jenny will know whom to contact to schedule meetings with while she and the kids are in Iowa next month.

Thank you again for all your prayers! We could not do this without your help! And to all of our readers who are mothers, Happy Mother's Day!

Weekly Updates

I realized today that we haven't done a very good job of keeping you, our faithful supporters, updated as to what is going on in our ministry. How can you pray for us if you do not know what the need is? So beginning this week, I will be posting weekly updates on how things are going or items that need prayer. I know we do not say it enough, but we are grateful for all of your support and prayer. We really could not do this without you!

I think I will try to update the blog on Saturdays, but since it's already Thursday, I'll go ahead and let you know what you can keep in prayer for the rest of this week and through the next as well.

1. There are about four couples we are trying to set up meetings with for next week. Please pray that everyone's schedules mesh and that we're able to meet with each of them at some point next week.

2. Our goal is to send out a batch of letters to six couples/individuals each week requesting meetings. This way, we have a consistent schedule of at least 3 meetings each week. So please pray each week as these letters go out that the Lord will speak to the hearts of those who receive them.

3. We are trying to fill as many weekends this month with church meetings as possible. Please pray for contacts and open schedules.

SOME PRAISES

This last weekend we were invited to participate in a missionary conference in Milton, Florida with three other missionaries. It was a privilege to hear the stories of these other workers called to God's ministry on foreign mission fields, and we were blessed with the chance to make new friends in the church as well. We left the conference Sunday morning to speak at a church in Mobile, Alabama (we were blessed to have both the morning and evening services in which to share) and made more new friends there as well. Upon arriving home, we had an encouraging meeting with some church members who shared their testimonies of God's provision in their lives. We both agree that the meeting was as much for us as it was for them (perhaps even more so). What a great blessing to have brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who can relate to the daunting task of relocating to another country and culture and the joys and issues that arrive from such a move.

As always, if there is something that you'd like us to pray for, please don't hesitate to let us know. You may email prayer requests to jennygentry06@gmail.com or troygentry4@hotmail.com. Have a blessed week and we'll see you next Saturday!