Shannon here: Contemporary romance author, Jennifer Rogers Spinola was my guest back in February, but her book wasn’t out then. I asked her to come back when it released. So revisit Jenny’s story and this time, we have a hot off the presses copy of her debut novel, Southern Fried Sushi up for grabs. Comment on any post dated Oct 3- 8 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: Oct 8, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jennifer:
The story of how I met my husband, Athos, goes back farther than our meeting place. Farther, even, than my missionary service in Japan. If I wagered a guess, I think it goes all the way back to the summer of 2000—a full year before I even knew of Athos’ existence, or he of mine.
I climbed off a plane into the sweaty heat of Corumbá, a small wetland city in southwestern Brazil along the Bolivian border, to write news feature stories for the International Mission Board. There in the heart of jungle trees, swampland, and red dirt roads, Baptist volunteers—including doctors, dentists, medical specialists, and builders—had come to treat the physical needs of displaced people formed into groups called “alianças.” Thousands of the people had come west when the Brazilian government opened up free land, but they lived now in wooden shacks nailed with crooked cardboard and corrugated metal, with little access to amenities like medical care, plumbing, and running water.
While interviewing the American Baptist volunteers and speaking to Brazilians through interpreters, I felt something come alive in my heart. Something amazing, bold, beautiful that I’d only hinted at in my dreams. What if? What if? I began to wonder, as I put down my notebook scribbled with notes and interviews, and linked dirt-smudged hands with settlers’ brown-skinned children. What it would be like to say yes? To take a step further? To leave my job and comfortable American surroundings behind and set foot in foreign soil, committing years of my life to serving God through international missions?
I went out on the flat hotel roof, overlooking orange adobe tile roofs and houses fading in the twinkling golden sunset, and sat with God. His presence heavy, like blue twilight. So close I felt, as I looked up into the glimmering hints of stars, that I could almost see Him. The open roof was still warm from the sun, like fresh-baked flatbread, and I pressed my hand into the brick and concrete, wanting this heavy “God-ness” that descended over me to stay. To linger, and not to leave when I boarded the plane for Virginia.
“Yes?” I felt Him whisper.
“Yes,” I said back in my silence.
No words spoken. Just an understanding passed from one heart to another.
#
When I got back to Richmond, Virginia, my next few months flew into chaos as I traveled to Australia for the International Mission Board. Went forward, heart bursting with fear and dread and joy, at a missionary commissioning ceremony. And spilled the news of my job resignation to serve as a missionary to my beloved boss and editor, Anita. She cried.
As I began to sort through the now-open boxes in my life, packing and questioning and praying and saying good-bye, the tables shifted suddenly. Instead of sending me back to Brazil as I’d hoped, God seemed to be opening the way to… Japan? Yes, Japan. Through past relationships, coincidences, thoughts, and prayers. Chance meetings with Japanese Christians who urged me to tell the Japanese people about Christ.
So instead of boarding the plane for Brazil, I waited anxiously in the cold terminal of Newark Airport for a plane bound for Tokyo. Shivering with fear and nerves, and wondering if I’d ever find my way back to the country of my dreams. The country where God called me. Where smiles ran in our veins like blood. Hand clasps and kisses and hugs and tears.
In Tokyo I marveled at skyscrapers and udon noodle shops and millions of people crossing the street under concrete high-rises that stretched into a million sparkling lights, and then after orientation I flew to cold, snowy Sapporo in the north—where I’d spend my two-year term. Leaving behind the internationals and merged countries of urban Japan.
I buckled into work in Sapporo, unpacking my suitcases and my books. My Bible and photos from home. My green-yellow-and-blue Brazilian flag, which I hung on the back of my bedroom door with a pang—right over the verse from Job: “I know that You can do all things. No one plan of Yours can be thwarted.”
If God wanted to send me back to Brazil, He could do it. As certainly as He parted the Red Sea and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice, He could part my impossible way and consume my hidden longings with His glorious provision.
#
I’ll never forget the day I sat there at my computer, staring at a blinking row of text: “I want you to meet someone there in Sapporo,” an acquaintance from Tokyo had written, knowing nothing about my past or my secret plans. “He’s a really wonderful Christian! You’ll like him. And he’s from Brazil! I’ve told him about you, and he’s waiting for you to call!”
My heart stood still.
About Jennifer: Jennifer Rogers Spinola lives in Brasilia, Brazil with her Brazilian husband, Athos, and two-year-old son, Ethan. She teaches ESL private classes and is the author of Barbour Books’ “Southern Fried Sushi” series (first book released in October!) and an upcoming romance novella collection based on Yellowstone National Park (also with Barbour Books). www.jenniferrogersspinola.com.
Jenny is an advocate for adoption and loves the outdoors, photography, writing, and camping. She has previously served as a missionary to Japan, a middle- and high-school teacher, and National Park Service volunteer. Jenny has a B.A. in English/journalism from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina and has worked as assistant copyeditor for OnSat Satellite & TV Guide and as a staff writer for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and two other Baptist newspapers.
Come back Oct 5th for part 2 of Jennifer’s story.
Shannon, thank you so much for posting my story! As always, I love your blog, and love you, too! The more I get to know you, the sweeter and more amazing you are. Thanks for celebrating this release with me!
Hey Jennifer,
I’m thrilled to celebrate the release of your book. It’s like sending your baby out into the world for approval. Congrats!!!!
What a wonderful blog today!! I couldn’t even imagine doing what she has done.. but it is all in the name of love… very risky and very daring … can’t wait to hear more from Jennifer
Shannon, thanks! You’ve made it so special!
And Julie, thank you! 😀 It has been a wild ride – especially from somebody coming from a small town like mine, with double-wide trailers and my high school in the middle of a cow pasture… Ha ha! But God’s been good to me, as He is to us all, and I’m so grateful for these experiences now!
Oh, I cannot wait to read this book. I absolutely loved reading Jennifer’s story when it was posted awhile back.
Shannon, I picked up a copy of White Pearls the other day and look forward to reading it when I get the opportunity! 🙂
I’ll be reading my copy of Southern Fried Sushi soon.
Sylvia,
Let me know what you think.
So excited that Southern Fried Sushi is out! =)
Jenny, it’s so fun to get to know you better with all of these interviews and blog posts. Congratulations on your new book – look forward to reading it someday.
Guys, thanks so much for stopping by! Mandy and Erin, so excited to see your posts here! And thanks for being a part of all the fun!
Shannon, I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for your feedback!
Sylvia – thanks so much for your kind words! Thank you so much for reading my posts (both of them) and for being excited about the book! I really hope you like it. I’ve so enjoyed hearing from you!
Jenny – I can’t tell you how exciting it is to finally hold your book in my hands! I cried and smiled through the dedication page!! I can’t wait for my day off to sit back and lose myself in your story.
This real life romance story gave me chills! It is so amazing how God works in our lives! It would be a blessing to be used by Him in such a way.
Hey, Cathy, and thanks for joining me again here! Can’t wait until you actually have a chance to read it – and let me know what you think! 🙂
Patricia, thank you!!! It truly IS amazing how God works in our lives when we least expect it and least deserve it. He’s an amazing God! Thanks so much for reading!