Country Info
I work for Message of Life in Ahwahnee, CA and print Christian educational materials for the Spanish speaking world.
Background
In 1983, two years after becoming a Christian, the Holy Spirit started working in our hearts, giving us a strong sense that we weren't going to be in Auburn much longer. I felt I was willing and ready to go where the Lord wanted, but Sandy said she had just gotten comfortable in our new home surroundings and church and wasn't willing to move.
Six months later at a mission's conference we were attending, one of the speakers spoke on Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." The Lord used this message to speak to Sandy's heart. At the end of the message we went forward to dedicate our lives over to whatever the Lord wanted. At that point our church got excited for us, giving their prayers, support and encouragement to seek the Lord's will.
A few months later I received an application from Intercristo (a Christian organization that helps match your talents in service for the Lord.) After submitting the application I received a list of Christian organizations looking for a printer. Among many organizations we contacted, Message of Life was the only door that was left open. A few months more passed and we were led by the Spirit to arrange a visit to Message of Life. Prior to our visit, our two primary concerns were deputation and housing. After spending the weekend with the directors, Joe and Virginia Sanders, all of our concerns for support and housing were answered, even to the extent that housing was available. So after touring Message of Life and the surrounding area, we were clearly convicted that this is where the Lord wanted us.
Three months later we returned to attend a Message of Life board meeting, where I was interviewed and accepted on staff at Message of Life. However, I couldn't come on board to start working until all of our monthly support had been pledged. So, for the next several months we returned to life as usual until all our support could be pledged.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
God made this verse very real to us a month before we arrived at Message of Life on August 15, 1985. On July 1st we had only half of our support pledged, when the Lord strongly laid it on our hearts to leave for Message of Life. The "problem" was that being allowed to start working at Message of Life was contingent on having full support. I called Joe Sanders and informed him I I was giving my two weeks' notice at work and would be there the first of August. He reminded me of the need to be fully supported prior to coming on board. After rethinking the situation we chose to move forward trusting the Lord to bring the balance of our support.
At our commissioning service Joe Sanders shared that they knew Jesse was the Lord's answer for a printer and also shared that in the last two weeks the balance of our support was pledged. We later learned that Message of Life started praying for a printer at the same time the Holy Spirit started moving in our lives.
Ministry Description
I operate, maintain and repair three printing presses, a die cutting press, and a paper cutter. While operating the printing presses, I must maintain registration and maintain an even color with a minimum of waste. In addition, I also operate a process camera and a plate maker and order paper and supplies.