Jackie's Journey "Vitriolic Age!!"

There is a command that echo’s our personal destiny…if, we belong to Him.  We never know when our time has run out and the imperative is non-negociable.  There are no exceptions…all of us will be held accountable..  

 In this vitriolic age, “we face a world that is more accessible through technology, with a nation that is more ethnically diverse, with the interreligious dialogue more at our doorstep than ever, with our faith’s historic values under siege, Christians are being closely watched.” Biola Magazine We are one click from chip technology that will bring global access. 

 “The world outside is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity,

 it is waiting for a new demonstration of Christianity.”  Ravenhill

 This biblical directive is found in Matthew 28 and confirmed throughout the entire New Testament.  The charge is to make disciples… “you therefore, my son (and daughter), be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2

 We live in a world where our beliefs are questioned and our convictions are feeble, at best. We are living in a war zone and we can’t shelter warriors!  We train them to fight!  

We have two goals:

Save the lost in a darkening world and heal a broken world.

“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants.  The question is:

What are we busy about?” Henry David Thoreau

 Today is the day to live out the Great Commission. I’ve been told after women’s bible study groups that the word “discipleship” is offensive and the concept of “walking in brokenness” is antiquated. “Humility” is too negative. 

The command has not changed.  

The need is greater and

the resolve is pending our daily commitment…

 Will you fulfill your destiny?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Hope Reigns!"

This past fall I watched my once thriving garden fade away, the vibrant plants had languished… dry from the extreme weather.  The days were hot and the nights were cold.  Thanksgiving brought the bright orange leaves and pumpkins.  The wind and rain had brought death; the ground was parched and all that once lived now lay, limply on the barren ground.  Another season had come and gone.  It was time to grab the rake and pull the dead leaves and brush away.  

 As I cleared the garden floor, I was astonished to find underneath the mass of debris, sandwiched between two decorative stones, one tiny plant, standing tall, reaching up for the sun.  While the world was falling down in ruin all around this diminutive flower, she stood, stretching with determination to live.  Her leaves were bright green and her colorful face turned upward.  I carefully uncovered her and dug a small, shallow well around her, to ensure her water supply would be sufficient to catch the coming rains.

 As I contemplated this brave, yet seemingly insignificant plant, I, again, saw the truth of God’s plan to use His creation to teach us.  The birds had planted this one…she was a surprise!  Despite it all, she had not only survived, but she had thrived. She had weathered extremes and watched everything around her perish, yet she persevered!  She was not a quitter.  She was just who she was, carving life out of God’s time frame for her.  I was inspired by her.

 How often do I aspire to find satisfaction in “whatever”, other than my Creator and His plan for my life?  How do I face disappointment and trials? Is my face stretched upward? Am I found totally dependent on Him or am I running ahead, disregarding His leading?  Do I accept His timing in life’s situations (that little flower was found out of its expected season!) or do my expectations lead me astray?  Do I accept my uniqueness or aspire to be more or do more apart from Him?  How do I handle the challenges of life when the wind and rain are whipping about me?  Do I quit or do I accept the challenge and fearlessly “keep on, keeping on”?

 That glorious, petite flower that caught me unaware, has no idea how wonderfully she was used to cause me to stop, take a self-look and listen. We do not realize, Moms, that we are the flowers our children and others are watching.  They are reading us all the time and learning how to relate to God, us and the world.  

 Will you join me in these unsettling times… choosing to stand tall… 

face upward, courageously persevering…?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Do I Have To? Why??"

  I have seen and lived three-quarters of a century of life on this planet.  I have observed the ebb and flow of my culture and Christianity over the years.  While reading through the Bible again this year and rehearsing the walk of humanity, specifically the plight of the Jews in the earliest of centuries, I got to chapter 17 of II Kings.  I found myself lost in this verse:

 “Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.”

 This 17th Chapter is what I call a “summary” or review Chapter.  The Israelites had begged for a King.  God was their KING, but the people insisted on an earthly king.  God gave them their desire and what they deserved in Saul.  A man who proved that earthly kings are fallible and have a blindness to the reflection of our true God, as KING, perfect and infallible in comparison!  The evil heart of man revealed itself over and over as the kings came and went.  With few exceptions, these people were bent on their desires, they were unrighteous, disobedient, idol worshipers, murderers of their own children on heathen sacrifices to false gods of stone, rebellious to God’s will and ways, resistant to God’s purpose, His Wisdom…

 “…they have done evil in my eyes and have provoked

me to anger from the day their forefathers came out of Egypt

until this day.” (vs.14, Chapter 21)

 The nation divided and fought each other and the surrounding towns.  The kings were competitive and combative.  They strayed from God’s will, purpose, desires, wisdom, and righteousness.  They rejected the true God, lost the blessing of the covenant God had made with Abraham and David and in its place, experienced the penalty and its replacement…the curse of disobedience.  

 In Chapter 17 the culmination of many years of rejecting God and His ways are realized by the King of Assyria!  God sent lions to consume the rebellious generation… 

 “The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthuh, Avva, Hamath and

Sepharvaim (remember this group? They burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Drammach!!)

and settled them in the town of Samaria to 

replace the Isrealites.  They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.

When they first lived there, they did not worhip the Lord…

so HE (God) sent lions among them…” (vs. 25,26)

 When the report that the people were being killed by lions came to the King of Assyria, it was noted that “the people that had been deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE GOD OF THAT COUNTRY REQUIRES.”  The lions came because the people did NOT KNOW WHAT HE REQUIRES!  Sooo, what does this heathen king do?  

 “Have one of the Jewish priests who had been exiled from

Samaria come and live in Bethel and teach them how to worship the LORD!!” (vs. 28)

 We are that heathen nation that has forgotten 

how to worship and rejected our LORD God!

 When we gather with our family on Sunday nights or when we meet with couples or small groups, we are the old guard…the exiled priests, called by our living God to teach those in coming generation how to know and worship our GOD.

 We are a royal priesthood…called to be that beacon of truth so others 

“know what God requires” in a dark and needy world.

Are you busy living and teaching  your prince and princesses  

God’s will (not their own),

 God’s purpose for their life, 

God’s desires (no entitlement…only what is on HIS heart), 

God’s Wisdom

and Godly righteousness???

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Broken Pieces!"

It’s a New Year!  Where are you today?  Are you struggling in your life?  What about your family?  Are you broken because of family divisions and the pain that comes from having no answers?  Is there Covid-19 confusion and fear surrounding you?  What about addiction?  Do you or someone you know need to be set free? 

 I am currently reading a book called “Hearts of Fire”.  The stories of eight women who, despite circumstances, demonstrated incredible courage, conviction and love for Jesus Christ and His church.  They were called to stand against the harshest opposition and became leaders with boldness and tenacity, refusing to shrink from the needs and opportunities that faced them, regardless of the threat.  How they responded, when “muzzled” is a lesson we, moms, could all learn from.

We know that as mothers, molding character in the lives of those that follow us is imperative.  How we respond in these days of change, learning and life-application reveals our true character.  It is being observed and will reproduce itself.  What does opposition look like and are we prepared to embrace the promise that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”? 

 “Officials in different levels of governmental authority over us have in this past troubling year done everything they can to dampen our enthusiasm and limit how we are allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Ralph and I never suspected that we would ever live to see the kind of liberty and freedom being threatened here in the United States of America or that there would be a desperate need for an awakening of Conservative Americans.  We never dreamed that the American press and social media could be as biased as the press in Panama, USSR, Venezuela, or any Islamic nation. We can clearly see that government control here in the US is only going to get worse in the days ahead.” (edited and paraphrased prayer letter from Indonesian/China missionaries, Tom and Selva Kweder)

 While the world all around us, including our American culture, seems to be disintegrating before our eyes, we are called to respond with courage and boldness.  Our limitations become our opportunities.  Christians here in America have become fearful of meeting together, fearful of reading their bibles in public, fearful of reaching out to others and stating our Christian beliefs regarding moral issues (abortion, same sex marriage, immorality, and strange perversions that even our primitive people groups do not accept!).  Moms, these are being presented to our children as normal and even something they might want to consider!

 What should be our response?  Do you have an answer?  These little ones following us are listening.  They are bright-eyed and eager to learn.  Will they be prepared with truth? “Jesus said,”…see that ye be not troubled.”  We are not to be alarmed, frightened, or gripped by fear. We are to be seeing the threat and standing in the gap.   The darker the night, the brighter our light shines.” 

 Will you choose promise and opportunity 

Over fear, threats and despair?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "What Part Will You Play?"

“God has a purpose for your life

And no one else can take your place.

 God possesses infinite knowledge and an awareness which is uniquely HIS.  At all times, even in the midst of any type of suffering (or turmoil), I can realize that He knows, loves, watches, understands, and more than that…HE has a purpose.” (Billy Graham) We are facing an unprecedented time in the history of our great nation and how we respond to all that is going on around us, will determine our future.

 As a young high school student, I was exposed to the possibility of what we are seeing transpiring today. I never dreamed that in my life-time these current events would find their voice in our nation, states, communities, elections, homes and latest conversations.  As confounding as it may seem or appear, there is divine purpose and explanation.  “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

 We are standing on the threshold of a new year with all its promises and possibilities. With the lies and corruption swirling around us, we have an opportunity to be focused on the One who holds our future and to get in harmony with Him. There are two basic ideologies being tossed around and there is only one clear choice that will guarantee the future of our country and our heritage.  

My husband is a Veteran Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.  He stood in the gap to uphold the freedoms of this nation.  America needs to “clean the swamp” and preserve the God-given nation that we proclaim as patriots!

 I’ve been reading an interesting manuscript about an “entitled and ungrateful” group of people in the book of Exodus.  They were a people close to the heart of God.  They had purpose and a leadership (Moses and Aaron) that sought to follow what God asked of them.  They were participants in some of the most dynamic miracles, ever, to date. They were rescued from the heavy hand of an Egyptian Pharaoh that bound them into slavery.  They were supplied with light by night and shade by day and given food from the sky daily.  BUT…these people were continually demanding and thankless.  They couldn’t see the God of deliverance through Moses and rebelled.  

 Remind you of any people you know?

 Our nation is a republic that must be preserved for the generations that follow us.  We are being pressed to stand up and count for righteousness. Deception and stealing our voice (our vote) is not the way.  To roll over and do nothing will not solve what is happening to us.  Our freedom is dependent on those of us who hold it dear, to stand with a leader who will give us less government control and more individual initiative.  We vote for a leader with our values, not a personality.  We vote for a man who can overcome the unwarranted and immense abuse and still keep going…strong… for our benefit and for a nation that is being threatened with tyranny on every front.  

 Our votes have been cast…BUT…not all of them counted!

Some were tossed in trash cans.  I know it and so do you.

 What’s next for us?

What part will you play?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Got Purpose?!"

A New Year!   Another Opportunity!

 When you get to the end of this year, what do you want to look back on and say you accomplished…Personally? Professionally?  Spiritually? Relationally? 

 Would you like to make this year your most successful ever?

 How fruitful would you say you were this past year?  

Did you attain the goals you set? 

 How did you do with keeping Godly priorities?

 So often we think to be successful we need a sense that we are getting more out of life…more me time, vacation time, more quality time with our children, more opportunities to develop a more mature relationship with our husbands, more exercise, less weight…”its all about me”!  We are blinded by kids’ schedules (practices, meets, tournaments, tutors, recitals, award ceremonies and more).  We live in a maze of taxi driving (pick-ups and drop-offs), carpools, careers, vacations, parties, sleepovers, play dates, fears and circumstances that keep us from seeing the clarity of our designed purpose.  We are forever seeking balance…

 This is the opposite of what God envisions for us.  We are to live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility… not as (women) who do not know the meaning and purpose of life, but those who do…making the best use of our time, despite all the evils of these days…not being vague but grasping firmly what we know to be the will of the Lord.  Ephesians 5:15-17

 Fulfillment in life is not deciding what we want to do or become,

but discovering and completing the purpose for which God made us! (Gothard)

 True success in life is measuring what we are by what we could be (always seeking His purpose and meaning of life) and what we have done by what we could have done (by His grace).   “Faithful is He who calls us who (HE) will also do it (if we get out of the way, relinquish our will and yield to His!). It is achieving the full potential God planned for us. (ATIA)  We are destined with His purpose on our life. (Col. 1:28, 29)…”its not about me”!

 Are we focused on what God is focused on or are we hastily and thoughtlessly doing our own thing?  If we have not realized our life purpose and set eternal goals for this coming year, our present priorities to reach that goal are superfluous!  Our focus is blurred by the demands of the immediate on the altar of the permanent. 

 The key to a full and rich life is determined by our commitment

to pleasing God first! The alternative is failure…and I hate failure!

 When I was a young Christian I was challenged by Betty Scott Stams declaration of purpose.  She was a missionary to China and was martyred by Communists in 1949.

 “Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Your will for my life.  I give myself, my life, my all utterly to You to be Yours forever.  Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit.  Use me as You will, send me where You will, work out Your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.”

 While at the University, I stapled that statement of purpose inside the flap of my Bible and it is still there today…a reminder of my commitment to my God, who gave His ALL for me, to “die daily”.  “If anyone would come after me (Christ), he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

 Taken from Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die (to my will, rights, ambitions, entitlements, etc.) is gain.  It has carried me through life and has been my comfort while serving in the jungles of Panama until this day…

 Where is your heart fixed?

 What is your declaration of purpose?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "A Bright Star!"

There is a story of a little princess who anxiously waited for the day of the Christmas pageant.  She was so excited about her part that her parents thought she must be one of the main characters, though she had not told them what part she would play.  

 The day finally arrived and her parents enthusiastically entered the auditorium and watched as each of the children was called to take their place.  The shepherds nervously waited in the corner of the stage holding two sheep.  Mary and Joseph were placed near the manger.  In the back were the three Wise Men eagerly waiting with a small camel.  Each and every child was placed in position…except for the little princess.  She contentedly sat quietly.

 The music started and the director began the narrative.  “A long time ago, Joseph and Mary went up from Galilee to be taxed. It was there that Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him Jesus,” the narrator began.   “And when Jesus was born a bright star appeared over the stable.  That was her cue!  She quickly jumped up from her chair, picked up a large, sparkling star and walked behind the manger, holding the star up high for everyone to see.  It flickered in the lights and all eyes were drawn to baby Jesus in the manger.

 The story continues and finds the shepherds in the field with their sheep.  That was her cue…the little princess moved into position on stage, wiggling the shiny star to show the shepherds where to arrive at the manger.  When the director mentioned the Wise Men…the little princess quickly moved to meet them and lead the way to the Christ child.  Her face was beaming as bright as the star she was carrying!

 The play ended with a round of applause and a standing ovation.  In the car on the way home, the little princess was happily chattering, “I had the main part, did you see?”   “You did?” her mother questioned.  “Yes” she said enthusiastically,

 “I showed everybody how to find Jesus!”

 This could not have been truer!  Showing others how to find Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and to be the light that would draw them to Him has got to be the finest role we can play in life!

 May the Light of the Christ Child be your focus

this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "T'was the Week Before Christmas!"

Well, here we are again…but no snow…one week before Christmas Eve…in the throngs of chaos and deadlines!  The Nativity is center stage in every room, trees are dressed, the wreaths are hung, gifts are wrapped, the oven has not been turned off in days and music fills the house.  Friends and family are arriving from distant places, guest rooms have been readied and excitement is already in the air.  Expectations are high and time left is short and slipping precipitously by the nanoseconds.   The countdown has begun!  The blessing of fellowshipping with family and people we don’t have an opportunity to see all year makes it worth it all.

 With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, we become acutely aware of our limitations.  Opening our home and believing God to use us to make others successful is the goal of hospitality.  It has been our joy over the years to have a home that is available to those God would bring our way.  Christmas is a lonely time for many who have not experienced the joy of His Coming.  

 As moms, this time of year offers a multitude of opportunities to make ourselves accessible to others.   It starts in our homes with our husband and children.  The Christmas time of year brings the perfect training ground to introduce our children to the “real reason for the season”.  We, as parents, have the example of the One who left his home and dwelt among us.  He set the standard…

  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

 but also, to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ:

Who being in the very nature of God, did 

not consider equality with God to be something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing taking the very nature 

of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, 

he humbled himself and became obedient to death

Even death on the cross”!

Philippians 2: 4-8

 An open home means a heart that is wrapped in the needs of others before our own.  It is that life in opposition to comfort and convenience.  It is welcoming and finding joy in a life of servitude, humbly listening to His voice and instantly obeying.  It brings with it the blessing of experiencing His promise of grace with its power and the continual fascination of watching Him faithfully do it!  Philippians 2:13 and I Thessalonians 5: 24

 The dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of visitors or strangers providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are guests.  We are commanded in Scripture to be hospital women. To invite people into our homes is to respond with gratitude to our God who made a home for us!

 “Be hospitable to one another without complaint”.  I Peter 4: 9

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it”!  Hebrews 13: 2

 At our front door, we have the words “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  As a mom with young children, it was a challenge to keep it all in balance when the house was already full of noise, continual movement and the regular activities that keep the ship afloat!  The joy of youth is that there actually is enough energy to do it all, if the attitude is that of an obedient and humble servant! 

 From our house to yours,

 Have a Blessed Christmas!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Troubled Waters!!"

Troubled times? New Covid outbreaks?  This is all we hear!  

Fear everywhere!  What is the truth?  What can we believe?  

What can we tell our children? 

 I was raised a Lutheran and attended parochial school until the eighth grade.  I have wonderful memories growing up surrounded by pastors and teachers that opened up the Word every morning in class and introduced us to the simple principles of knowing God.  When it came to “faith”, I struggled to understand how it worked.

“Faith is not what some people think it is.  Their human dream is a delusion.  Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith.  ‘Faith is not enough’, they say. ‘You must do good work’s; you must be devout to be saved.’  They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ‘I believe.’  That is what they think true faith is.  But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it does nothing and rebirth doesn’t come from this ‘faith’, either.

 Instead, faith is God’s work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. Jn.1: 13 It kills the old Adam and makes us completely different people.  It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers.  It brings the Holy Spirit with it.  Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith.  Faith cannot help doing good works constantly.  It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing.  Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever.  He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith and good works are.  Yet, he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.

What will we tell them?

FAITH is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it!  Such confidence and knowledge of God’s grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures.  The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith.  Because of it, you freely, willingly, and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise God who has shown you such grace (no entitlements or expectations!).  Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire.  Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they’re smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools.”

Genesis 6:5 gives us a clear understanding of our desperate need for faith and regeneration.

“The Lord saw the the wickedness of man was great on the earth,

and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

 During this time of Thanksgiving and rehearsing the birth of our Lord and Savior,

will you ask God to work FAITH in you…?

(This text was translated for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith

and was written by Martin Luther and found in his German bible of 1522.)

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "A Promise and A Possibility!"

 Moms, have you thought about the culture our young children are growing into? Our faith is marginalized, immorality is expected and acceptable, socialism is fashionable, life is under attack, our Christian values and religious freedoms are deemed outdated and offensive. 

 “Time cannot be expanded, accumulated, mortgaged, hastened, or retarded.  It just keeps on…”

I usually begin my introspection regarding “time” after Christmas when facing the New Year! However, I can’t stop thinking about my seven grandchildren and how quickly time has passed from the day in the hospital when each one was placed in my arms until today when I look up (they are all way taller than I am!) and realize how adult they all are!

 They were tiny little ones not too long ago, just a blink, wrapped in a promise and a possibility not yet realized.  Time has flown and every call or contact is a special blessing, as they each find their own voice of influence.  They are the declaration for the next generation.  

They are our future.

 I am currently the grandmother of three university students.  Each one has been sent as a missionary to colleges around the country.  They are courageous and are standing alone for what they believe!  Our oldest granddaughter is at USC, our second granddaughter is at Biola and our third, my grandson is at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.  My fourth grandson will graduate high school in May and he, too, will be gone!  

I never dreamed that years ago in the jungles of Panama that I would have the opportunity to have lived locally with all my grandchildren. Our hearts desire was to serve the Kuna Tribe in the Darien until…forever!  God had a different plan for us and our time here in the states became planting Spanish-speaking churches and discipling leadership to move on to a different location and start another church.  We have seen God establish seven churches (Panama, Mexico, and in Southern California).  This has enabled us to be near our girls and their families.

 The challenge is to not drop the ball at this stage!

 Where are you in the growth of your family?

 Are they being prepared to face the culture 

that is clamoring for their souls?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.