Ambassador Institute: Kamuli Update

We praise the Lord that on February 4^th a new Ambassador Institute class was begun in Kamuli (see previous post on the Jore’s blog “Pray for Kamuli” for the background). Four churches joined together to invite Godfrey to come and train their members. Thirty-five students have been faithfully coming, which makes this the largest AI class we have seen so far. Godfrey reports that they are very interested in understanding the Bible and growing in their faith. Godfrey himself is very excited when he thinks of the impact that this will have in his home area. Thank you so much for your prayers.

I want to share a story that parallels what is going on in Kamuli. As you know, our vision for the Ambassador Institute is that the training be self-sufficient, that is, that it does not rely on outside funding for its continuation. That means that each of the teachers are teaching out of a sense of calling from God, and they are looking to him to provide for their needs. For most of them, the commitment entails about 1 full day a week away from their usual work, as well as transporting themselves to and from the training.

In Godfrey's case, the cost to travel to Kamuli and back is 10,000 Ugandan Shillings (about $5). Assuming a salary of 200,000 / month, (about $100, which is average for this area) and traveling to Kamuli 4 times in a month, that means one fifth of his salary would be spent on transportation to carry the training to Kamuli. Could you spend a fifth of your pay check to go and teach people the Word of God?

Well, we serve an awesome God. At the exact time that Godfrey was preparing to go to Kamuli to train, trusting God to meet his needs, God provided in a miraculous way. Godfrey got a contract from a hotel in Jinja to deliver 280 chickens to their kitchen one day a week. After buying the chickens from the chicken projects and selling them, Godfrey was getting a 2,000 shilling profit on each bird! Do the math! Instead of blessing Godfrey with the needed 10,000/week for transportation, he blessed him with 560,000!

Now there are many people who would become unfaithful when entrusted with such money, but Godfrey sees it as a provision from God to enable him to carry the Gospel to others. I am thrilled to see the floodgates of heaven opened and His blessing being poured out on His servant who trusted Him and yielded himself to His service. It also thrills me that the supply came in a way that is self-sustaining.

Check out the Jore’s blog here.

Brandon Marschner–Missionary Candidate

The World Mission Committee has approved Brandon Marschner as a missionary candidate.  Brandon, from Dickinson, ND has felt a call to world missions for a number of years.  He graduated from AFLBS and Northwestern Collage and is now enrolled in AFLTS. 

Please pray for Brandon as he completes his educations in preparation to serve on the mission field.

Did You Know Cassie Nash is Married?

Our short term assistant Cassie Nash who works at an orphanage in Haiti was married and is now Cassie Jean Louis.  She and Almando Jean Louis were engaged last October and were married in Haiti on February 11. 

You can read all about it in her blog.

Date Set for Pillmans’ Departure

The World Missions Committee has announced that the Pillmans can depart to following the AFLC Annual Conference in Thief River Falls, MN.

Please pray for the Pillmans as they have a number of things to accomplish before their departure.  Also pray for Patricia as she has been hoarse for a number of months.  She will be seeing a specialist in the next few days.

Traveling in Mexico

Missionary Todd Schierkolk and World Mission Director Del Palmer are traveling in Mexico.  They will be visiting pastors and people in churches.  Todd needs to renew his visa at this time.

Please pray for them as they travel.

The Next New Thing

Almost everything new is exciting—and sometimes scary. That is most certainly true for the children of the Miriam Home! Today we have nine young people and only one of them was with us when school ended for the year, that means eight children are facing a lot of new situations.

Nearly all of the children in the Miriam Home today are 10 years old or over. All of them come from situations where they had to take care of themselves; now they have what probably seems like so many “aunties”. To begin with that is pretty hard all by itself - it feels less like being cared for and more like being bossed around, by everyone! The rules that keep the Miriam Home from falling apart feel very restrictive during the first few weeks. But the loving hearts of our house moms are quickly winning over the children.

The next new factor in the kids lives is a new school year! Soon classes will begin again and, believe it or not, the children are looking forward to it! Many are going to new schools and all in new grades and though summer vacation is fun for a while it is nice to get back to the rhythm of classes, sports and "normal" life.

The biggest “new” in the lives of all the children is the simple unknown. Every child arrives not knowing how long they will stay with us; most have no idea where they will go when they leave. This isn’t an easy “new” to deal with, even as adults. Imagine for a child be they 5, 10 or 17years old! One of the goals of the Miriam Home is to make this stressful time as easy as possible in the lives of the children. Your prayers make a huge difference! The precious gifts so many of you have sent, have eternal impact! We recently received a boxes of mini-quilts. We are in the middle of summer right now and no one needs help staying warm but the children, even the oldest, love these mini quilts! They hold them when they watch a DVD at night, or a TV program, and they feel loved. Sheets and used tennis shoes, Tootsie Rolls and stickers have all been amazing ways for kids to feel hugs from thousands of miles away! Bless you and thank you!

Editor’s note:  To read more about the new school year starting and meet some of the new children you can read Jonni’s entire newsletter here.

AFLC Jubilee–50 Years Slideshow

AFLC Jubilee 50 Years from Karen Floan on Vimeo.

This is the 50th anniversary of the AFLC. Watch the slideshow of all that God has done. Click on the arrows to make it full screen.

Happy New Year from Ukraine

The holiday season here was nice and long as both East and West calendars were celebrated, which means that we were able to celebrate Christmas twice. In many ways, this whole country shuts down during these days. During that time, we had the joy of hosting Monica’s parents for 10 days.

We are finding a new rhythm to life and ministry here in Ukraine, including some new opportunities. Among them is Moriah's new adventure, which begins today, in a Ukrainian elementary school. God has opened the door for her to to attend the only Christian school here in Odessa. Isaiah will also be spending a few mornings a week at a local preschool-type program at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We are thankful for these provisions as they are comfortable places for our kids to learn language and interact with Ukrainian children. We ask for your prayers, especially for Moriah. She is really excited about this, yet nervous as well. She has been memorizing Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Experiencing new culture, language, and situations has been a wonderful opportunity for us to help our children trust in God’s strength, grace, and power in the midst of fear.

January has also been an important month for Bible School planning. We will be presenting our formal Bible School presentation to church leadership very soon. This planning has taken much time as there are so many issues to discuss. Please pray that there would be unity and fruitful conversation for our group and church leadership as we focus on this very important ministry. These next few months will also present numerous strategic opportunities to share this school with very important people. For example, in a few weeks, all the bishops serving Lutheran synods from across the former Soviet Union will be gathering in Odessa for a conference. We will be presenting the Bible School vision, as well as facilities, to them. We pray that they would be interested in this work and bring this vision back to their home churches.

Editor’s note:  To learn more about the Coyle’s Russian Language study, Youth Center Ministry and how you can pray for them, click here.

January Update from Paul and Becky Abel

There really is no greater joy than to know that our children are walking in the truth and serving God.  This is our prayer for all our spiritual children as well.  We rejoice exceedingly for the blessed privilege of having the whole family together for a couple of weeks to welcome in a new year and celebrate our great heritage as a family.  We each serve God in different capacities and in different places but we find strength and encouragement through our times together.

The past three months have been loaded with activities.  In both the Bateias and Mighty Fortress churches we formed an adult choir and a children's choir.  We practiced separately and then joined together for the Christmas programs in both churches.  I like trying to make Christmas special for others and always emphasize that our greatest desire is to honor and praise God for his great Gift to us - Jesus!

Editor’s Note:  For more information on the Abel Family Christmas, Bible Camp, Children’s Camps, please read the rest of the newsletter here.

A Visit from Kevin and Pam Olson

We loved having Kevin and Pam with us for 10 days this month. What a blast of encouragement they brought with them!

While they were here, a special event was held in Butagaya with all 8 Ambassador Institute classes in attendance. Kevin and Nate both shared with the students (about 80 in attendance, along with many family members), and each of the classes shared a drama and/or a song. At the end of the day, we shared a meal together. What a fun day it was.

Pam taught a Bible class for kids on two separate mornings at a nearby apartment building. Both times there were about 60 kids that showed up, many of them Muslims. Pam was able to share the message of Christ with the kids in a very clear way, and at the end of the 1st class 10 kids prayed to receive Him as their Savior. We are praising God for these new believers! Please pray for them with us that they would be able to grow in their young faith, and remain strong in their commitment to following Christ. A few of them come from Muslim families.

Kevin and Nate took 8 of the Ambassador Institute teachers, along with Hans and Micah, on a 3-day trip to Sipi Falls, a beautiful area up on a mountain a few hours from our home. They enjoyed times of relaxing together (playing Dutch Blitz, eating good food, hiking up waterfalls), as well as times of teaching and prayer. We are grateful for the commitment of these men to teach the Word of God in their villages. Please pray for them - that they would grow in their love for Christ and they would stay strong in their desire to bring glory to Him alone.

Kevin and Pam not only blessed all of those they met with and taught, but they blessed our family in a great way. All of the time they spent playing and laughing with our kids was a sweet gift. And all of the time they spent encouraging our hearts as they asked us questions and listened and shared their wisdom while washing dishes or eating a meal together or sitting by candlelight... thank you, Kevin and Pam. We love you dearly.

Editor’s Note:  You can view a slideshow of their visit on the Jore’s blog here.

January Mission Devotional

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not”  (Is. 53:3)

Respect, Obedience, and Honor – words that seem to be lacking in our lives and those around us.  Jesus Christ, our creator, who gave us life, and loved us so much that He suffered the most horrific death so we could have eternal life with Him deserves them.  It should pain us greatly when there is sin in our lives, yet quite often it is made light of and excuses are made.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:5-8)

He bore it all, He understands, and He gave His life through humbling Himself and becoming man.  He lived among us as a perfect example on how to live.

While reading through more of Isaiah 53 we see how Christ was treated even though He did no wrong.  He was despised and treated badly, yet He still loved us and continued with His Father’s plan to save us from our sin and iniquities.   “For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Is 53:12) Jesus knew that He would have to suffer and die yet He still went through with it.

When times come to stand up and suffer for our Lord, do we go through with it or chose the easy way out?  There may be rejection, but if we are right in the Lord and leave it with Him we shouldn’t worry.  Let’s stand up for what is right even if it means a little uneasiness and discomfort.  It may even cause us physical pain or death.  What better cause is there than to die for our Lord and Savior and join Him in heaven!

Let us not forget the love Jesus has for us and the importance is He desires all to be saved and come to Him.   Jesus – the perfect example.

Respectively,

scott f. erickson

Pray for Kamuli

This past Christmas Godfrey was among the many Ugandans who head back to their home village to celebrate with their extended families. When the pastor of Godfrey's home church in Kamuli heard that he was coming, he asked him to preach on Christmas morning.

In his youth, Godfrey had been a member of a notorious gang who had robbed and even killed many people from his village and the surrounding area. In fact, the transformation that has taken place in Godfrey's life all happened after he left the village. Many in the congregation were surprised to hear that Godfrey was the visitor who was going to preach that morning. He shared his testimony with them of how God had brought him out of the life he once lived to a new life of walking with Christ. He likened himself to Zacchaues who had been a wicked man but had been transformed after his encounter with Jesus. He went on to preach for 4 hours, sharing several of the Bible stories he had learned in our Ambassador Institute training. Following his message, he asked if anyone wanted to receive the gift of salvation and leave their lives of sin. Two young men responded to the invitation!

Following the Christmas service, the pastors in the area requested Godfrey to come back again the following week to preach for the final night of a 4-day Crusade they were holding to bring in the New Year. Godfrey did not preach as long this time. He focused his message on the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. He warned the people that those who do not repent of their wicked behavior and turn to Christ will hear those same words, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). Following his preaching, people were invited to come forward to receive salvation. 150 people responded and the next day they were baptized. Praise His Name!

Godfrey testified that many of those who were saved were delivered from demons. He told us the story of one of them. “Frederick” had been ordained by his clan members to keep the clan witchcraft at his home. He had been repeatedly disturbed by the demons and wanted to be free. He converted to Islam after being promised that he would be freed from his demons if he did, but the demons stayed. After Frederick got saved, Godfrey and others went to his home to burn the witchcraft. When the clan members discovered why they had come, they pleaded with them not to burn it. “If you burn it, the demons will attack our children,” they said. Godfrey told them that the one who had been keeping the witchcraft wanted to be free from it. He asked whether anyone else was willing to keep the witchcraft at their home. They all declined and in the end, they burned it and the man was delivered. Praise Jesus for those in Kamuli who have been delivered from darkness to light.

The story is not over. After hearing Godfrey's preaching, the church leaders and members asked him how he knew the Bible so well and how he learned to teach that way. He told them about the Ambassador Institute training that he is taking. After much dialogue,Godfrey was invited to come and train the believers of his home area. The Spirit of God is at work in this area (about 45 miles north of Jinja). Please join us in prayer for the new believers and for the new class that will begin there in the near future.

A New Baby…A New Year

Dear Family and Friends,

How excited we are to welcome in year 201 2, and we anticipate that this year will be as exciting, blessed, and stretching as 2011 was! We hope you enjoyed celebrating the gift of our Savior this season along with spending time with family and friends.  We certainly appreciated the opportunity to slow down and reflect on God’s goodness to us, demonstrated in so many tangible ways.

As Patricia’s due date neared, we took some time off for some much needed rest and preparation at home in December. On December 19, we welcomed into the world our precious, healthy baby boy, Nathanael Paul. The labor was difficult, lasting close to two days and nights, but God gave Patricia (and everyone else!) endurance and strength for the entire labor.  What joy we felt when we could finally hold our baby and gaze into his chubby face!  We find ourselves blessed indeed to be given the charge of such a special bundle, and we look forward to the lessons we will learn along the way as we begin to train Nathanael in the ways of the Lord.

To read the rest of the Pillman’s newsletter and find out how you can pray for them, please click here.

Infinitely More

What are you expecting this year? What are you hoping for? For many of us, the answer to those two questions would not be the same! The chaos in the world around us leads our minds to expect the worst; our hearts hope for better things. This internal tug of war isn’t new; Jesus actually promised it—”In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” It is because of God’s grace we are able to look to 2012 with excitement, knowing that God is faithful to do infinitely more than we can ask or think!

Last month I asked prayer for two special and precious young people in the Miriam Home, Maria and Josivaldo. Here is the next chapter in their stories.

You already know that Maria has had several opportunities to join new families, but real bonds never developed. Well, just a week before Christmas Maria received a wonderful gift; a home. Recently Maria had made friends with Jacira and had actually visited her home several times; just day trips, little get-aways. Then, less than a month ago, Jacira asked Maria if she wanted to join their family. For the first time, Maria said yes, and before Christmas all the documents were filed with the Juvenile Courts and Maria had her own room, brothers and sisters, mom and dad, even grandparents. One important element for Maria was that her new family understand her concern for her father. Before the holidays they went with her to visit him and bring him Christmas presents. Maria’s dreams are coming true, but adjusting to being part of a new family is challenging. Please pray that Maria will see herself more and more as a “daughter” and not a “visitor” in the family.

Editor’s note:  To hear the next chapter of Josivaldo’s story, click here to read Jonni’s entire newsletter.

Happy New Year from the Jores

Thank you for all of the Christmas cards and greetings. We loved getting them!

We are all feeling fully refreshed after these past few weeks of extended family time. We were able to get away with another missionary family to the coast of Kenya for a week-long holiday the week before Christmas. The house we stayed in was on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each day we'd run down our stone staircase, open up the wooden door at the bottom and be met by the warm, salty ocean air. The kids collected bags of shells and coral, and enjoyed seeing so many new things - starfish, jellyfish, puffer fish, and crabs (they were delicious). The beauty around us was incredible. Our God is an amazing Creator.

We are eagerly anticipating what the year of 2012 will bring. A baby, for one! Our little one is due the end of April, and we are hopeful that we can acquire the necessary paperwork (birth certificate, special pass and passport) in time to fly back to the U.S. the end of May for our 6-month furlough. Would you pray with us that that will happen? Paperwork can be a nightmare here in Uganda.

The first half of December Nate spent wrapping up each of the Bible classes, giving out final exams, meeting with individual students and grading. Most of the students were able to finish off the term strong and are ready for the next term, beginning next week. There are currently about 80 students in 8 different classes. Nate is teaching one of the classes with the help of our interns, Hans and Micah, and is mentoring 8 Ugandan teachers who teach the other 7 classes. It is a 2-year program and most of the classes are beginning their 2nd year. It is a great commitment for these men and women, many of whom are farmers or day laborers, each of them working hard to make ends meet. For them to take a 1/2 day off of work each week to attend classes speaks strongly of their desire to learn and grow. We are so grateful for your prayers for these students, as they study the Word of God each week and take it home to their families and communities. Please continue to pray for them - that they would grow in their love for the Lord and in their understanding of His Word.

Elijah and Jude will also be starting up school again next week. I (Rhoda) spent the day yesterday planning out their last term before we head back to the U.S. I always love having a fresh start with them, changing things up a bit and beginning new books. I was reminded yesterday as I was praying for wisdom and creativity, feeling overwhelmed at all of the different subjects I'd like to teach them, what my ultimate goals are - first, to provide an environment where they can grow in their love for the Lord, for each other and for those around them and second, to instill in them a love for learning. I'd also be thrilled if their love for writing grows, if they learn to persevere and work hard at something that is difficult, if they finish up their Math books, if they wouldn't get so silly and hyper when we do projects, if they... Would you pray for them with me, keeping my goals in mind, as well as for me, that I would be completely dependent on the Lord each day?

Hannah and Jeremiah, little sidekicks, are learning to play so well together, which is a great answer to prayer. They can now play with each other for longer stints before the screaming breaks out, and aren't so inclined to get into mischief while I'm teaching. A huge reason for that is that we have a lot of entertainment in our backyard these days - 5 adorable little puppies, an annoyingly loud little pig (Hannah's much-desired Christmas gift) and a tree house, built by Micah for the kids for Christmas.

We feel really blessed to have such a strong support base. Your prayers, emails, letters, packages and gifts are an incredible source of encouragement to us. Thank you! It is a privilege to be partners with you in this journey of sharing Christ to the world around us.

Editor’s note:  You can view the Jore’s blog here.

Border Crossings

Editor’s note:  This is an excerpt from the Schierkolk’s newsletter.  To read the entire document please click here.

“‘. . . and they shall call His name Immanuel’ which means, God with us.”
                    -Gospel of Matthew 1:28

Advent and Christmas bring some paradoxical feelings for us.   On one hand, we are really enjoying being with our daughter Rachel, seeing snow, being with family, experiencing the joy of the many events of the Christmas season, and touching base with friends.  We enjoyed the Christmas concert at the Bible School (AFLBS) so much we went twice!
 
On the other hand, this is the first Christmas that the kids in the clubs in Jerez won’t have us “with” them and we won’t be having a Christmas party where they’ll be getting a present and they won’t get to watch the traditional showing of “Red Boots for Christmas” in Spanish.  No tamales made by Adri (who passed away in May) enjoyed with all of the people from the church in Jerez.  No watching the serious excitement of a young person in church lighting the Advent candle.  So we feel a significant paradox (or as we often say in our family, “pair of ducks”).  But God is “with” us and He is “with” them…

Todd, Barb, Rachel, Megan and Kirstie Schierkolk

A New Life This Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is a time to celebrate God's gift of His only begotten Son to the world. This year, we are also celebrating God's gift of a son for our family! We are so thankful for His good and perfect gifts. May your celebrations this Christmas season always be focused on Jesus!

Because of Him,

Justo, Patricia and Nathanael

pillmanfamily@gmail.com

Kvale Connection: Christmas Edition

Editor’s note:  Please access the PDF copy of the entire newsletter here where you can read their prayer requests and praises.

Imagine knowing about Christ and desiring to live according to His word without having the word of God in your own language to clarify God’s precepts.   

John 15, verses 4-8, reveal to us things that are missed in our understanding without God’s word for us to study and know Christ more personally.  Bible-less people are deceived by the enemy to believe that “God must not speak my language”, “He does not care about me”, or “This God, He is not with me.” But when Scripture is heard for the first time, they are moved to tears to find out that God cared about them from the beginning of time, that He does know their language and is making a way for them to have the word themselves, or that He has always known the exact places where they were born and where they live today. 

…and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:26b, NIV).

We pray God’s word may truly be for everyone!

Christmas Lights

We knew this single mother of three who was struggling to make ends meet. One night before Christmas, she was walking with her little boy  looking at some houses that were decorated with Christmas lights for the Holiday. Wonder filled the little boy’s eyes as he contemplated the sight, then he  turned to his mother and said, “I know why Santa never comes to our house on Christmas, we don’t put any lights up so he can find us”.  How often we are like that little boy, especially at Christmas. We want God to see our good works (as little lights) and bless us (the naughty and nice syndrome) instead of being lights to dispense His goodness to others. Daniel 12:3 reminds us, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”  Let us pray that this Christmas we would be a light that shows God’s goodness and glory to mankind.             

Wow! Another year is coming to an end. What a year! It seems to me like two years in one. The first half being in Brazil with what seemed like a million things to do before leaving for the US. Then the other half here spending much time on the road, but really enjoy visiting with so many experienced (not to say “old”) friends and enjoying the Bible Camps, Conferences, Conventions, and Rallies along with all the churches and pastors we have visited. Now we will slow down from the road a bit to spend some time with family over the Christmas Holidays. We will have Mom and Dad, April, Thomas and Jed (our nephew) with us in Wisconsin at the Mission home for some 14 days.  The little house will be jam packed with people and activity, but it will be fun. After that Mom and Dad will head south, all the way to Brazil, the kids will return to AFLBS and we will hit the road again. We are really looking forward to all the great things God is going to do in 2012 if Jesus doesn’t come back first.

Things on the home front (Brazil) are going well. Though there are always many challenges, our church seems to be encouraged and moving forward. The Seminary and Miriam Infant home are finishing a good year. We praise the Lord for His goodness!

Jonathan, Tamba, April, Tom & Michelle Abel

To access the PDF form of this greeting, go here.

Where is Home This Christmas?

“There are many homes up there where my father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly.”   John 14:2-3

Jesus left His Home in glory at Christmas to dwell among us.

This was the greatest gift (of salvation) ever given to all the world. Millions are still waiting to hear the good news, yet there are many who’ve heard the gospel and are still rejecting that great gift of salvation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful at this time of the year to lovingly admonish your unsaved loved ones to come home to Jesus this Christmas.

Read the rest of Connely Dyrud’s Christmas greeting here.