“It was a great experience to serve with you and the guys there in India.  I hope you will think of me again when you go back.  Lord willing I would like to join in . . .  It was so hard to say goodbye to India.  It's hard to be home.  After being there so long and really have mixed emotions this time . . . I really appreciate that you see the need and are doing what you can to help.  It's very insightful on your part.  Training of pastors and ministry people will having lasting value for the followers of Jesus in the long run.  The festivals are good, but as for the discipleship of believers it is lacking.  There is a lot of need in that area.  So thanks you for what you are doing.  And thank you again for including us, we had a great time.” Linda G :)

India 2006
"man what a trip. i have told every body i know about it and can't stop talking about it. its impact is still being felt. I thank you for the invite and the opportunity . . . i am so excited about the years to come. lets take that Gospel from here to Kingdom come. keep me posted on what you up to so i can invite myself to the next one. thanks again for the life changing trip." love wade

"Greetings to you in the Precious Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. It gives me great joy and pleasure to write to you what's happening in India. We had a wonderful time of ministering together for the Glory of God! I felt that I was able to experience God's blessings and His encouragement through your ministry and help. It has been a real blessing of God who made me to work with you all for the Glory of God. It is my sincere prayer that in the days to come God will open a way to work with you again. I love you so much for the pains taking risk you had for the people of India. I deeply appreciate your sacrificial contribution towards our churches and pastors. We will be all thankful and grateful to you and all the team members who came with you to spend some days with us. I will never forget the good time we had together. It was a fun and time of great encouragement. Each one of your team members especially you BROTHER JEFF has a special place in my heart. Send all our greetings and best wishes to all our friends and the team members. I am glad that what the Lord is doing after your ministry in India. Souls have been added to the churches, pastors getting encouraged and able to love, have fellowship with one another which we never experienced before. My self, my family, my church will all be praying for you, your family and for your ministry. Convey my best wishes and sincere thanks to all our friends and family members. Looking forward to hear from you. We love you and we miss you." Yours sincerely, Pastor. Raj.

"I am still getting the feed back from the students and it really changed them the words and the testimonies of every sessions. Also I contacted few pastors down south and they had really blessed by the word of GOD and it really admonished and lifted them up really. Many were had a different experience at the pastors/leaders seminars, GOD really touched them. Praise be to the LORD and I was so encouraged that I was able to be a vessel used of the LORD. Susannah and myself we thanked the LORD for he has done and all he has given to us as a family. Last couple of days I was reading all the books you have given to me, it really blessed me, Particularly the mission magazine, taughted me a lot about the way we do things here. So thank you for the magazines and books."
Reverend Sam Apollos, New Covenant Bible School

"Thank you for your encouragement through Rom. 8:28. Jer. 29:11 is what i often look upon. Thats the promise God has given to me. My regards to your family. Regards from Paushali to and your family. Take care and I'll keep in touch."
In Christ, Candy

May 18, 2005
For over three years now Jeff Valdes has been a partner in the international ministry of BLEA. As a brother in Christ and a close friend, his maturity and knowledge of the scriptures has been invaluable. Whether we were in India, Africa, or Madagascar, Jeff brought the Word of God alive to pastors and lay people alike. His straightforward, and animated style always brought people a greater appreciation for the life that is found in the Bible.

As a two-part team, Jeff is half of our puzzle for reaching the world with the good news of Christ. At night we have festivals and during the day, Jeff teaches and exhorts the people to a greater love of God through the Word. I cannot stress how important his piece in the equation is. Yes people need an opportunity to respond to Christ, but equally important is their further development as a disciple, and this is what Jeff brings.

Numerous times I heard pastors and their congregations alike comment “I have never heard God’s Word taught so clearly as you have done.” “I really liked your illustration…I will use that in my sermon.” These are simple, but pointed examples of Jeff’s appeal to all different types of people across many different cultural backgrounds.

In our travels, we have met so many who are so excited by God’s call on their lives to be pastors and disciples, but so few have any training in the use of God’s Word. Jeff has brought, and will continue to bring understanding and equipping to people who desperately love God and need help. He is a gifted man of the Word and a great asset to the work of the kingdom! Brian Luse, Evangelist

International Partners
“On behalf of the organization committee for Kayunga Gospel Festival. We also have, special in our possession, our friends Jeffrey and Brian (Luse) for the great work they have done. They have been a blessing to the churches, a blessing to this district, a blessing to the children, a blessing to we the pastors.” Pr. Isaiah, Chairman of the Kayunga Gospel Festival, Africa

“I have come to know that the American people love my country. God has used them. We have come to see people getting saved, we have come to see my people being touched, unchained from bondage. God has used them in different corners. They moved to villages, people got saved. They moved to prisons, people have got saved. People have given their life to Christ.” Barbara Okaba, Uganda

“Also we went with you to a certain church where you preached and the pastor of this church, pastor Kalisa says most of the people you prayed for got well, even all the ten adults and two young girls all twelve people who accepted the Lord after your preaching are still attending.” Pr. John Mayanja, India

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sorry for the late reply but i've also been busy with the ministry. Pr. Jeff am so much touched and blessed about your ministry and i believe God is taking you somewhere in Jesus name. I would love you to stand with me in prayer for our nation Uganda as we're heading to presidential election. Brother Ronnie Mukalazi

“Praise God. My name is Peter Mgaruka. I am a pastor working with Gabaka Church and ToSaM . . . I want to say thank you to praise Him for USA . . . a lot of people are being saved because of you . . .” Pr. Peter Mgaruka, Uganda Africa

“When Jeff and Brian were preaching in Kasawo, he (Mohammed) decided to take the Lord as His personal Savior . . . but your going to Kasawa, that was really the work of the Lord. Many people got saved, but really I feel that it was for my father. The Lord planned everything for me.” [Note: Mohammed was a Muslim leader, a prince, and a descendant from the Lugandan royal line.] Carolyn Kabala, ToSoM, Africa

“The Lord has been enlarging your heart to bless many people in the world. Surely he is a good GOD and he will lead you all the way. We pray for the completion of the work and Let GOD would establish a good foundation in the country of Uganda.” Rev. Sam Apollos, New Covenant Bible School, India

Uganda 2005

June 13, 2005
Missionary work (or any other sort of volunteer work) is new to me. I only started exploring this when I went to New York with Faith Carter’s group 2 years ago. That was eye-opening and inspiring and it “primed the pump” so that when the opportunity arose to go to Uganda with Brian and Jeff, I was ready to say, “Hey, why not?”

My trip to Uganda last summer took me way beyond eye opening and inspiring. The stretch (of going to Africa instead of just across the US) began a fresh and ever-deepening relationship with God. I was able to see Him at work in the lives of the people of Soroti, and in turn to be personally shaped into something new.

I’m not chomping at the bit to go overseas (although if an opportunity presented itself, I wouldn’t hesitate to agree) but I do have a heart for the community around me that I hadn’t had before the trip. In the past, I would see volunteer opportunities advertised and think one or all of the following: 1) Do I really have the time for that? 2) Am I going to feel uncomfortable? 3) Do I have the skills or talents to offer in this opportunity? After God put me to work in Uganda and taught me things about Him, myself and our relationship, none of those doubts or insecurities present themselves anymore. If something is posted in the church service folder, my only question is “Can my son come with me to do this???”

We have “stretched” ourselves by helping out with the yard work parties at the church, volunteering at Wildhorse Canyon for both the men’s retreat and the high school youth retreat, taken a day out at Crystal Springs Youth Ranch to build decks, etc., delivered food boxes during the 40 Days of Community campaign, and served food at the Good Neighbor Center (Tigard’s homeless shelter). Again, prior to my trip to Uganda, I would have chosen to miss these opportunities without hesitation. Being taken out of my comfort zone in Uganda has encouraged me to continue to look for new ways to become involved in my own community.

I would like to encourage anyone and everyone to experience God by going on a Mission trip. I almost feel selfish for having gained so much personally while on my trip to Uganda, but part of the reason for this growth spurt is due to the fact that I saw God use ME in the lives of the people of Soroti. He’s so big and so amazing that He can use me, who is so small and ill-prepared, to make a difference. That’s why I’m ready to make a difference here with my family, friends, coworkers and community. Sincerely - Deb Tate

Hey Jeff,
I just want to let you know in writing what I've already expressed to you before. God gave me a spectacular picture of who He is during my trip to Soroti. Venturing as far away as Africa was HUGE to me, but it made the world real to me. That may sound odd, but the trip and the opportunity to get to know and associate with the local people truly helped me to realize how vast God really is. He is there for everyone, not just you and me. I went so far away from home, not just physically, but mentally as well. Spiritually, I know now that God had been preparing me for that trip for a while. Working through the unfamiliar territory of speaking to a crowd and teaching about things that were usually right where I needed to focus personally was a great growing experience for me.

I am so glad I didn't give in to fear. Thanks for encouraging me and continuing to believe in me despite my inexperience. I can't wait to go again! I mean that, and I would love to go on any trip that you lead.

May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

Serving together with you - Linda Jodoin

June 13, 2005
Each mission trip that I experience has a profound impact on my spiritual growth. God allows me to catch a heaven's eye view of our lost and hurting world. My heart was touched and opened by my sisters in Africa and their children. I was most changed by the conditions of the camps we visited and two women in particular. One came to me to ask me to pray for her child who was covered with sores and very ill, the other was a woman dressed in rags, who asked me for clothes. All she had was what was on her back. I am organizing a collection of clothing to send back with Dr. Val in December when she returns. Every time I look at the clothes I wore to Africa, I wish I had done what you did and left it all behind. I did leave one dress from my riche--if only it had been more. This summer while I am off from teaching, I am planning to clean out my closet and those of my friends so that we can help those women.
Something else that I felt led to do after getting home was to support a child in Uganda monthly through World Vision. His name is Amiru. While these things seem small, it is what God has asked me to do. I am so excited to get letters from this little boy and know that he would not even be in school, if it were not for the way my heart had been moved during my trip. - Betty Rickard

June 5, 2005
Dear Jeff:

There are some things in life that words cannot explain. The experience of a mission trip is one of those things. The presence of God is unavoidable in these times. Our views are transformed as we see the hand of God work around us, and even through us. We see that God is truly alive. Surely we serve a God that defies the impossible. He takes even the lowliest of people and raises them up as a vessel by which He receives the glory that is due His great name!

The first time I got home from a mission, I was left anxiously waiting for the summer to roll around so I could go again. The intimate communion experienced with God during these missions is what draws me back. I have not been able to find greater intimacy with Him than when I was serving Him while on the mission field. I believe everywhere we go, it is a mission field, but there is something about committing every part of your day to impacting the kingdom of God. While at home, there are so many things calling out for our time, money, and energy. When you are giving all you have to things that are of eternal significance we receive great joy.

Since being at college, I have been leading a campus ministry. One of my desires for the ministry is to expose college students to serving God in another country, namely Mexico. I have been able to lead one trip so far, and for all that went, it was life-changing. (And we only went for a weekend!) I look forward to exposing more people next year and seeing how God changes their lives. I know He has changed mine, and has given me a great passion to reach the nations for Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. Serving the King, Grady Guy

The Huddle Men’s Bible Study

“The year of classes with you and the group were great. It was a wonderful spiritual growth time for me.” - Brent F.

“‘The Huddle’ is informative, interesting, and (if you do the work) it is thought provoking. Can be a real heart and brain exercise. Small, intimate group of guys, terrific leading and discussion. There isn't a session where I haven't learned something brand new. Thursday's after our "Huddle" at work are always the best day of the week.” - Vince M.

“I appreciate what you do and how hard you study. It is rare to see that kind of diligence and enthusiasm for the Word.” - Stan K.

“I am not a morning person but getting up at 5:00 am and commuting across town from North Portland is definitely worth attending this great study. I really enjoy the study methods used in this class and the teaching style. Jeff is very knowledgeable. The Huddle has really helped me advance in my comfort level with the inductive style of study.” - John D.

“Thanks for taking the time to meet with us every morning. You are quite a pillar to make it such a priority. At the same time I am real glad to be in a group that is centered around learning about the Bible and applying it to our lives. So many small groups are turned into "counseling sessions" for the same two people in the group week after week. However, I did fully appreciate the prayer in our group this morning. Thank you so much for the group that you head up for the Lord. It is exactly what I have been wanting to be a part of.” Tight Lines - Eliot S.