Dear Friends, A little over one year ago, I signed up to travel with a group from Southwest Baptist University

to the Philippines. While I completely expected God to do great things when my team travelled to the region this past January, I had no idea that God was planning to rock my entire world and change my life forever. As many of you likely know, I am an Marketing and Economics/Finance major a business student. Prior to January, I had an entire plan for life after graduation. I had in mind the typical American dream: a thriving career, financial independence, and the material possessions that indicate success in the eyes of our culture. I only briefly consulted God about these plans thankful for His great provision and blessings, but mostly uninterested in earnestly seeking His plan for my life. When I arrived in the Philippines, I experienced complete and total culture shock. Not only was the warm and humid Philippine air a sharp contrast to the Missouri climate in midJanuary literally everything was different there. From the differences language and dress to an immediately-evident socioeconomic divide between the Philippines and the United States, it was completely obvious that the experience I was about to have would challenge my ability to adapt and function in a completely foreign environment. Thanks to a well-prepared and dedicated team and the grace of a perfect and loving God, our trip to the Philippines was immeasurably productive. Through our work, we empowered local churches in remote areas of the Quezon province to expand their outreach. We distributed Bibles in the native language of the Philippines (Tagalog) to individuals who had since never had access to the gospel in their language. We taught English on several college campuses, using this inroad as a means of sharing Christ with these students. Most importantly, though, all of our activities advanced the long-term vision of a missionary, Greg Harvell, who serves on the mission field in the Philippines. Through spending time with the Filipino people and meeting them where they are (something few Americans take the time to do), our group was able to forge relationships that the Harvell family can use to advance their ministry to the people of the Quezon province in the Philippines. Like many mission trip experiences, this one opened my eyes and touched my heart. However, unlike most mission trips, my trip to the Philippines has revolutionized my values and set my life on a different course.

After observing the receptiveness and hunger of the Filipino people for the gospel, there is no way I can find fulfillment in the business success I had envisioned for myself. In the months since my last trip to the Philippines, I felt and surrendered to a call from God to return to that region after I graduate from SBU. I will also be returning to the Philippines this January with another group from the Office of Global Connections at SBU to do work similar to what our team did last January - continuing to reach the lost in Quezon, empower the local churches and missionaries there, and strengthen SBUs relationship with the Harvell family. Please remember myself and my team in your prayers as we ready ourselves for this trip to the Philippines. Pray that our relationships internally will be strong so we can demonstrate unity to those we encounter. Pray for safe and timely travel. Pray for productivity and longevity as we work on the field and for the ongoing work of the Harvell family. But most of all, please pray that the hearts of the Filipino people will be stirred - even now - and that we will be prepared to minister to them where they are. Prayer is really and truly the most important thing I can ask of you. However, if you feel led and are able to support my trip financially, I would be extremely grateful. Your gift is fully taxdeductible and will greatly help me to meet my personal financial obligation of almost $3,000 that go along with this endeavor. Please mail any gifts to the address at the end of this letter. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. -Matthew 28:19-20 In Christ,

Jordan Taylor 1520 S Pike Street - Rm 308 Bolivar, MO 65613 email: jordanleetaylor@gmail.com phone: 417.839.3406