Recently, I received this picture of grandma Bouenseng and a text from my buddy Vannak in Cambodia. For nearly two years he was my faithful soul-winning partner, and for close to 18 months I spent time with him and his brother Man in discipleship sessions. With the picture was a brief text that simply said, “She said hello and pray for her spiritual and physical health.”

Vannak and I had the opportunity to lead grandma to Christ about 18 months ago. I am so thankful for those who are willing to leave the comforts of home to bring the Gospel to folks like grandma who have very little, if any, chance of hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ!

PLEASE PRAY FOR GRANDMA’S SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITION AND FOR GOD TO CONTINUE TO USE OUR TEAM IN CAMBODIA TO REACH MANY MORE GRANDMA’S FOR JESUS!

The month of December was a busy one to say the least. We were in six different churches. My wife was in the Emergency Room twice, a Medical Clinic once, and we both had a few doctor’s appointments.  Regrettably, because my wife and I were in the Emergency Room we had to cancel our preaching at Liberty Baptist Church in Newport Beach. Thankfully, our dear friend Pastor Ryan Thompson understood and was ready to preach. I was told God moved in a special way as he preached from the life of Job. That’s what you call the providence of God right there. Also, grateful that we were able to reschedule for next month!

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY WIFE’S HEALTH AS THEY CONTINUE TO DO TESTS TO FIND OUT THE EXACT PROBLEM!

We just passed the three month mark of being back in the States. It seems like it’s been an eternity since arriving back here. While we definitely miss being on the field, it has been nice to spend time with family during the Christmas season. It has been a while (three years to be exact) since we have been with our children, grandchildren, my siblings, and their families, during this time of the year. Needless to say, it was a very special time for us.

Over the past three weeks we were able to preach for Pacific Baptist Church of Long Beach (Pastor Meyers) twice, Pacific Baptist Church of Monterey Park (Pastor Kyle Beck), as well as preach for the Pacific Baptist Grade School Chapel twice and the High School chapel once. During the High school chapel service at Pacific, I asked Brother Adrian Torres to give a brief testimony about serving on the field. He did a wonderful job. Adrian is a graduate of our high school and college. He has served faithfully in Cambodia now for about four years. He is on a brief trip to the States and returns to Cambodia in a about two weeks!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THE MESSAGES THAT I PREACHED, ADRIAN’S TESTIMONY, AND THE REFUGEE VIDEO TO STIR HEARTS FOR CHRIST AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AROUND THE WORLD!

During the high school chapel service, I also showed a brief video that my wife recently put together dealing with the Refugee Crisis in the Middle East. As you well know, the Refugee Crisis is heartbreaking and deserves our prayer and attention at the least. I believe God really used the video to speak to many of our young people’s hearts. You can check it out below.

Syrian Refugee Crisis from carrithelight on Vimeo.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REFUGEES AND FOR GOD TO USE THIS TRAGEDY TO BRING MANY OF THEM TO A SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST! 

I also had the privilege of presenting and preaching for Berean Bible Baptist Church (Pastor Feisco) of East Los Angeles and Berean Bible Baptist Church (Pastor Reinosa) of El Monte. Both of these churches were planted over the past few years by Berean Bible Baptist Church of Duarte (Pastor Stokes). You’ll remember we were with that church family last month. I also reported at First Baptist Church of Long Beach (Pastor Delaney). It’s always a joy and a blessing to be at First Baptist Church. All of these men are doing a great job for Jesus!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING FORTH FRUIT FROM  OUR TIMES WITH THESE CHURCHES AND THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THEM AS THEY LABOR IN THEIR PART OF THE HARVEST OF GOD!

While here in the States, along with reporting to many of our supporting churches and attempting to raise some additional support for our next move with Christ in the 1040 Window, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be used by God, in preaching and counseling, to enlist, encourage, and help others who are “wrestling with God” about the mission field. In just the past few weeks I have had quite a few sit down meetings with folks who are considering going to Guatemala, Cambodia, China, and other countries of the world. One of the meetings that I was privileged to have was with eight young people from Pacific Baptist Church who are seriously considering giving their lives to serve in the country of China. I am praying that God will have His way in each of these young people’s lives!

I gave a copy of the book Keep the Dream Alive to one of the men (not pictured) who I had the opportunity to sit down with for a time of fellowship and some counseling about his future. He read the entire book that evening. Here is an excerpt from a text message I received from him the next day:

“I finished Keep the Dream Alive last night. And to be honest, I hate it! I hate it when God prods and pricks my heart. That burning sensation that convicts me, but I am so inspired and motivated to GO! Please pray for me … I truly believe God is laying the groundwork for me to GO.”

If God could use our trip to the States and the books I have written to inspire one young person to give their life to Christ and the cause of Christ it will be worth it all.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TIME IN THE STATES TO BE FRUITFUL FOR GOD!

I am looking forward to a brief trip to Missouri and Texas in January. I definitely covet your prayers as I will be preaching and teaching at a few churches, two Bible colleges, and a Boy’s and Girl’s Home. No doubt, there will be a lot of young people and a lot of potential in these few meetings. On this trip, I will be giving away many copies of the book Keep the Dream Alive to young people. We will be praying that God will stir hearts for Christ and the cause of Christ. Please pray with us!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS TRIP!

My wife and I sincerely appreciate your prayers and faithful support.

Johnny and Denise Esposito

PS If you haven’t checked out our new website, Peeking Through the 1040 Window recently, I encourage you to check it out. Just click the link below.  

https://peekingthroughthe1040window.wordpress.com/