Dear Friend,

First, let me state the obvious. Those of you who know me know that:

A)    It´s very rare for me to write a letter (ask yourself when is the last time you received one from me, if at all.)

B)    When I finally do write one it usually means something radical is happening. Okaaaay!!

C)    If it´s reached your hands then there is something in it for you (I promise, stay tuned).

D)    All of the above are true (Read on)

My Background:

Throughout these last few years God has blessed me with the opportunity to take part in sharing the gospel in 3^rd world countries where the name of Jesus falls onto ears and hearts of people for the first time. “And He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) The reason for this letter is that God has given me another chance to be “sent out” to share the gospel of Christ in India & throughout Asia.

This is not a new desire but a part of how God has wired me and what makes my heart beat. There is nothing more fulfilling than serving in the trenches of countries that are abundant in spirit but lacking truth. As I reflect on previous experiences they continue to fuel my fire to go to the outer most parts.

• Showering with baby wipes while in a fishing village deep in Mexico with no running water due to a 3-year drought. The children, not use to smelling something so wonderful, thought of them as perfume and a luxury.

• Traveling in the mountains of Chihuahua, with native Missionaries who wear bulletproof vests when entering the territory of warlords and drug dealers to offer Bibles and evangelism tracks.

• Staring into sad eyes of a starving little boy in Africa trying to convince him to surrender his lifestyle of sniffing glue bottles in exchange for a temporary hamburger. I couldn´t promise him that he will never hunger again but I could promise that by accepting Jesus in his heart he will live for eternity where there will never be a shortage of food, the pain of hunger and the streets will be paved with gold. Never again can I carelessly say, I´m starving.

• Witnessing to teenage girls who sell their bodies for $2 American dollars to purchase a cell phone or afford email to reach any Americans they meet in hopes of one day escaping their living conditions.

• Remembering two stories told by a missionary from India: When he asked a shopkeeper at the market if he knew Jesus the shopkeeper thought for a moment and replied, “Sir, I know everyone in our village. There is no one by that name who lives here. Why don´t you go to the next village, he may live there.” This same missionary later encountered a woman down by the river weeping. As he put his hand on her shoulder he simply said, “Do you know that Jesus loves you and died on the cross to forgive you of all your sins?” The lady replied while holding a helpless child in her arms, “Sir, I wish you would have come sooner, I am so full of sin and I just drowned my only son in this river as a sacrifice hoping to be forgiven.”

The Mission:

I´ve learned the answer to these problems lies in the basic understanding of what mission work is all about. Meeting physical needs alone does not get people to follow God. While there is nothing wrong with feeding the hungry, providing medical aid for the sick, building houses for the homeless to make this temporary life more comfortable it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can save a soul. I´ve seen firsthand that whether hungry or full, rich or poor, human beings remain in rebellion against God without the power of the Gospel. These windows of exposure to the mission field have burdened my heart for people who are only surviving hour-by-hour, day-by-day. I know God's work, done in God´s way will always bear God´s fruit.

I know I didn´t get to choose where I was born but neither did the children on the streets of Africa, in the ditches in Mexico, or on the banks of the river in India. This realization has opened my eyes to the vast wealth of the country to which I was born and has confirmed for me that I am to go to India. “To whom much is given, much is required.” Instead of taking paragraphs to explain why I´m leaving my job of 4 years at the Rock Church to go, I would rather explain what I´ll be doing there.

I´M GOING TO SERVE ON THE MISSION FIELD IN INDIA AND THROUGHOUT ASIA FOR 9 MONTHS FROM JULY 12, 2004 THROUGH APRIL 2005. The first 5 months will be spent in India with a group of 10 people from SEND Ministries (Serving & Evangelizing Nations in Despair). Then, myself and one other person will continue a 4-month journey throughout Asia teaming up with various organizations and churches. We hope to be traveling to Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and wherever else the Lord chooses to send us. “A man´s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his way.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Why India?

• India´s population passed the one billion mark in 2001 and within 5 years will surpass China as the world´s most populous nation.

• India is part of the 10/40 Window, which is made up of 97% of the world that is unreached by the Gospel. This window is a rectangular shaped area on our globe extending from West Africa to East Asia.

• Over 80, 000 people die a day in Asian countries.

• 82% (more than 820 million people) in India are Hindus only 3% of the population are Christians.

• Witchcraft, sorcery & idolatry are a way of life for many there.

God has called us all to play a different role in bringing the unreached people to Himself. I know by faith that He will make a way for this trip. I simply want to ask for your support. He may have you be a prayer warrior, financial supporter or maybe even send you to the mission field. Above all, I know I am in great need of your prayers and so are the people in India.

I would love if you would join me on this journey by following along. I will be sending current photos, praise reports, prayer requests and updated information as often as I can on my web site at www.servingtheking.com. God Bless you so much and I pray the Lord fills your storehouses to overflowing.

Sharing the message of salvation,

Octavia Jarmin

Agenda & Goals:

• We will be traveling with SEND Ministries (www.sendministries.com) throughout Bangalore, Karnataka, Gokak and the southern tip of India to plant 7 new churches and win 5,000 souls to God´s Kingdom. This will be done through door-to-door evangelism, children's ministry outreaches, working alongside local pastors and lots of prayer. This is a Jesus style ministry, as we will literally be living out the book of Acts. Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20)

Cost of the trip:

$4,000 needed by July 12, 2004 for India.

$4,000 needed December to April 2005 for Asia.

$60 Visa

$450 vaccinations

If led to support financially and/or pray for me while I am gone, please detach and return the bottom portion. If you have any questions please contact Karen Roller at (858) 672-4058.

______________________________________________________________________

All support can be mailed to this address throughout the duration of my Mission trip (April 2005).

Please make checks payable to Octavia Jarmin and write, ’Asia Mission’ on the memo line. Please detach and return to:

c/o Octavia Jarmin

11058 Madrigal Street

San Diego, CA 92129

(858) 967-2738

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