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George and Joy - The Jensens

Meet the Jensens - George, Joy, Julia, Jacob, Luke, and Lindsey. George and Joy were married in 1985. We have four children: Julia - age 21, Jacob - age 20, Luke - age 18, and Lindsey - age 16.

Our family has participated in numerous mission campaigns over the last ten years. In 2005, we had the great privilege of traveling together as a family to India, where we worked for one month. We began contemplating the idea of doing foreign mission work. In May of 2006, our whole family spent the month of May working in Malawi, Africa. During this trip, we observed the great need for more teachers and preachers in Africa. After much prayerful consideration, we made the commitment to move to Tanzania, Africa and work with a mission effort known as Tanzania 2000.

Our family arrived in Moshi, Tanzania April 17, 2007, where we have worked for two years. In April 2009, we relocated to the Arusha area, so that George could dedicate more of his time to the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. He is currently serving as the Dean of Academics. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have given so sacrificially to our work.

We are always mindful that we could not be here without your backing. Please continue to think of us and pray for us.

In Christian Love, George and Joy, Julia, Jacob, Luke, and Lindsey

Visit our website: www.jensenmissions.com

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Joined on: November 12th 2006
Last Login: June 28th 2009

Blog Entries: 66
Photos: 713
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Blogs & Travel Journals

by George and Joy, order by Date newest first.

By George and Joy
May 27th 2009

A New Christian Africa » Tanzania » North » Arusha

Abigail's Baptism

One of the greatest joys that parents experience is the obedience of their children to the gospel. Tuesday evening, our first offical campaign day, we witnessed the new birth of Abigail Gee. It was a very touching moment to witness her father, Jimmy Gee, baptize her into Christ. Abigail is a very sweet young lady, and we pray that the Lord will continue to bless her, as she begins her new life in Christ. Today, Wednesday, was another busy day. We accompanied the Northport group to the hotel where they were to catch a shuttle bus to Nairobi. We had lunch [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
May 24th 2009

Another Graduate Africa » Tanzania » North » Arusha

Luke Jensen

It's hard to believe that another one of our children is graduating. This time it's Luke's turn. It's a bit challenging for us to make this occasion a special event, here in Africa, since we are far away from family and friends. However, we just happened to have some family friends here with us who came to work with the campaigns, so it was good timing to celebrate Luke's graduation while they are here with us. Last night we had a party to celebrate Luke's graduation from high school. We had a dinner consisting of fajitas, with homemade salsa and guacamole, [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
May 17th 2009

So Much To Do, So Little Time Africa » Tanzania » North » Arusha

Beginning of Tower Construction

Campaign time has been rapidly approaching, and we have been working day and night, trying to get better situated to function efficiently. One of our major housing issues has been our water situation. We have not had enough water pressure to make the hot water flow, and have still been heating water on the stove if one wants hot water for bathing. One of the major projects over the past week, in an attempt to remedy this situation, has been the construction of a tower, on which there would be put a bigger water tank. In addition to more water pressure, [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
April 19th 2009

Transition Africa » Tanzania » North » Arusha

Hand in Hand

The last month or so has been quite hectic for our family. We realize that there haven't been many blog posts lately. We have been so busy just trying to keep our heads above water. Most of the month of March George spent going back and forth to Arusha, in between all of his other work, trying to get the house we are renting livable. Without actually living there, it was very difficult to do that, so we decided to go ahead and get moved. March 29th was our last services with the brethren in Moshi. There happened to be a [View Full Entry]

Julia and Lindsey with Hezron and family

By George and Joy
March 18th 2009

We're Shifting Africa » Tanzania » North » Moshi

Duka la Dawa: Store of Medicine

In Tanzania, when people move from one home to another, it is referred to as shifting. Over the past year, the size of the mission team has decreased considerably. George has desired to increase his teaching responsibilities at the school of preaching, and the distance from our present home has prevented that. After several months of prayerful deliberation and discussion, we have decided to relocate to Arusha. We are looking forward to getting relocated and settled into a new place. In view of relocating, we've spent much time going back and forth from Moshi to Arusha to hunt for a ho [View Full Entry]

CJ - Christopher and Julia's youngest child, who charms everyone!

By George and Joy
February 7th 2009

Happy Birthday, A Thank You, and an Update Africa » Tanzania » North » Moshi

Jacob Jensen
Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Happy Birthday, Jacob! We hope this finds you all doing well. Our family has been spending today celebrating Jacob's 20th birthday. It's hard to believe that two of our children are already out of their teen years, when it seems like only yesterday that our oldest became a teenager. Everyone made Jacob a card, and then we took turns telling what each of us thought was special about Jacob. Every one of us had the thought that Jacob's goodness and spirituality are very exemplary. We are very proud of the young man that he is today. A Thank you We want [View Full Entry]

Gifts from North Charleston Church of Christ

By George and Joy
January 24th 2009

A Close Call Africa » Tanzania » North » Arusha

Our Hardtop
This is what our vehicle looked like before the accident

The events of yesterday, the 23rd, are not likely to be erased from my mind anytime soon, and today our whole family is offering up prayer after prayer of thanks that we are all back together again, safe and with good health overall. Yesterday began with Dad, Lindsey and I traveling to Arusha early in the morning. We girls were dropped off at the Gee’s house for a visit, while Dad went to ACSOP and taught there for the day. Sometime around 4pm, Dad, Jacob and Todd Gee started driving the short distance from the school to the Gee’s house. As [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
January 8th 2009

Our Sunday in Magadini Africa » Tanzania » North » Moshi

Backtracking
...trying to find the church in Magadini

The church in Tanzania has grown tremendously over the past few years. Many congregations have been initially established, but one of the greatest needs in the mission work here has been a plan for follow-up teaching to ground new Christians in the faith. One of the goals that George and Christopher Mwakabanje have for this year is to visit some of the outlying congregations in our general area, and offer to come and teach some special classes to help them grown in Bible knowledge. The first visit of the year was planned for Magadini, which is located about an hour out [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
January 7th 2009

Girl's Seminar Africa » Tanzania » North » Moshi

Group Picture
Three little ones are in the photo who jumped in for the fun of it, but were not students. One is actually a boy - can you find him? :)

One of the great needs of many congregations is helping the youth develop a spiritual foundation. We have noticed a high falling away rate of young people, once they are able to be more independent. This is largely due to the lack of diligence on the part of the parents. Children are often left behind, to stay at home at times of worship, so it is no small wonder that the children absorb this attitude towards Christianity. We have decided to concentrate some of our efforts on the younger folks, to do what we can to change the tide. One of [View Full Entry]

By George and Joy
December 27th 2008

Big Game Hunting and a Youth Get-Together Africa » Tanzania » North » Moshi

George and His Impala

The last couple of weeks have included a wide variety of activities. One of the highlights for some folks in our family is the opportunity to go hunting here. Hunting season runs from July to December, and so George and the boys, along with another missionary, Cary Samford, have fit in a couple of hunting excursions. Unlike most foreigners who have to pay big bucks to have the opportunity, our resident status helps the affordability factor a great deal. One of the great benefits is the fresh meat that we've been able to have, which has helped out our freezer a [View Full Entry]

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George and Joy - The Jensens

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