Hans and Micah in Uganda

The following story is from the Jore Family Blog called:  “Under the Mango Tree”.  Click here to view other posts.

Hans Tanner and Micah Berger, recent AFLBS graduates, have been with us since June 22nd. They are here as short-term assistants for a year to help out with the work and gain practical experience in missions. Their partnership in the work has been a great encouragement and I have really been refreshed by their fellowship.

They have been dividing their time between Jinja and the village. While in the village, they are immersed in village life as they live alongside the locals. They have been learning the local language, agriculture, and culture while building relationships. They also are involved in the Butagaya class and have been mentoring the Ugandan teacher of the class. While in town, they have been assisting me with teaching the Jinja class and building relationships with the students, as well as getting caught up on personal correspondence, and giving Rhoda and I the chance to go out on dates by baby sitting the kids.

They've even found the time to make our family a few delicious meals, build the kids a tree fort and step in as the boys' science teacher (thanks, Micah!). The kids have really loved having two "uncles" around. Hannah tells each of them at least 10 times a day, "I love you SO much!" We're blessed to have them around!

The Jore Family

Unreached People Groups in India

by Rev. Luther Dasari

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am very happy whenever I hear about the news from our pastors working among unreached groups.  Recently I too have participated in this work and encouraged our workers to go forward.  We are having good results in the Pileru area.  Each worker has been working among many villages in addition to their own congregations.

I have an opportunity to work with them for 10 days.  The door for Gospel is opened in this area  and we see are seeing good fruit in this ministry for unreached.  We did street preaching (see picture) and visited some Hindu houses who invited us.

Please continue to pray for this ministry for unreached people groups.

The Kingdom Belongs to Such as These

Here is October’s Missions Devotional written by Lyle Mattson:

“Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:13-14

I haven’t taught Sunday School full time for a couple of years. For some reason, after morning services in late August, I asked the Sunday School Leader if she needed any help. She said, “Yes, as a matter of fact, we need one more teacher.” I confidently told her to sign me up. She looked surprised and said, “Aren’t you going to ask which class—it’s second graders—4 boys.” Still confident, I replied that I was certified at all ages after 4 of my own. 

I have had them for 2 Sundays now—or should I say they have had me for 2 Sundays. 4 boys—all high octane—all loving life—all not too willing to sit down for more then 30 seconds at a time. Did I tell you that we’re going through the 10 Commandments. It dawned on me after the first lesson, that they probably didn’t have a plugged in knowledge as to the meaning of the term commandment—so I decided to make the lesson more basic. Last Sunday, I came from the aspect that we all live under laws and that these laws of nature, as we call them, are laws that we must, willingly or not, live by. I held up an eraser and asked the question, “What happens when I drop the eraser?” “Duh, it falls,” was the reply. (Second graders have that ability to make you feel so smart.) My next question was equally obvious, “What if you drop the eraser?” They took turns and wouldn’t you know it, every time the eraser hit the floor—until it started hitting the boy next in line. 

At that point, I asked them if they wanted to go outside. There had been a fierce wind storm 6 weeks earlier that had dropped several 40 foot poplar trees on the church property—I wanted to use them to illustrate the law of gravity. As we stepped out, the first thing they noticed was the swings. “Let’s swing!” all four called out in unison. They were on the swings in a moment, swinging with full
contentment—with the law of gravity bringing them routinely back to the pusher (me). After 5 minutes on the swings, we went back to the room and attacked the lesson on Moses bringing the Commandments down the mountain. What do these characters learn during that ½ hour class Sunday morning? I’m not sure; but to be certain, I am learning—my goal is to follow God’s leading—to bring them to Jesus and not to hinder that pathway. I come with a lesson plan every Sunday. I realize that with that plan, I need a pair of listening ears for if, as Jesus says, the kingdom
belongs to such as these, I need to listen as much as I teach.

News from the Coyles-October

Hello! We hope this finds you doing well and enjoying the beauty of autumn. We pray you are encouraged today as you seek the Lord and His strength (1 Chronicles 16:11). This verse from Colossians has been a blessing to me (Monica) lately and I hope that it is to you, too!

Col. 1:28-29, "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

In Jesus' Love,
Andy & Monica, Moriah, Isaiah & Josiah

Editor’s note:  You can download the Coyle’s October newsletter here to see a list of their prayer requests.  You can also visit their blog here.

Thoughts on Eternity

Dear friends,
We've really enjoyed getting to visit with many friends and making new ones as we have traveled over these last few months sharing about the ministry in Mexico.  The two young girls whose mother recently died continue to be doing well for which we are so grateful to God.   This past week we were in North Dakota visiting several churches and hearing about all the changes in some of the cities in the western part of the state because of the oil rush.  We heard about the traffic congestion and lots of big trucks on the roads.  And then as we were heading back to Valley City on the highway between Jamestown and Minot  . . . all of a sudden we came upon a van on the side of the road that just burst into flames as we slowed down hard to a stop.  It couldn't have been more than 30 seconds before we drove up that there was a terrible head-on collision.  It was a desparately helpless feeling that Barb, Megan and I had along with a number of others who continued to stop as several men tried to get the unconscious driver in the burning van out to no avail.   The other minivan in the accident was badly damaged but the dear elderly lady in the passenger seat was amazingly alive.  I opened the door and held her hand while it rained lightly; and talked to her about the Prince of Peace and her family until First Responders arrived.  I don't believe her husband survived.

 
It's hard not to think about eternity and how, in the blink of an eye, our destinies are sealed and we either meet Christ or face a Christ-less eternity.  It was rather sobering to think of how close we ourselves came to being in the accident.  We're so grateful for God's travel mercies to us today and we are so thank for all those who continue to pray for us and our safety even as we travel during this time of deputation; so grateful for so many who have helped us over the years to take the life-giving Word of God to people in Mexico so they can face death with confidence and hope because of a Savior who conquered sin, death and the devil.   We continue to be prayerfully planning on going back to Mexico by next September and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for Mexico and her leaders as they battle the violence there.  Please continue to pray for our church in Jerez, that the Spirit of God would glorify His name during this time and cause them to grow in faith and unity in Christ.  And please pray with us for the families of the two who died today in the terrible accident and for God's healing of the one survivor; that their hearts would be comforted at the cross.

Todd and Barb Schierkolk
Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico

Family-A Gift from God

In the last year you have heard a lot about two precious babies with very difficult names (Altieres and Thavilidy). They came to the Miriam home, not because of many congenital health problems (premature, fetal alcohol syndrome, heart murmur) but because their mother’s drinking kept her from meeting even their most basic needs. The fact is they arrived barely alive.

From the time they arrived the twins won the hearts of everyone who met them, fist because of their zeal; with almost no strength, they held on and never gave up. They fought for the simplest things, like rolling over, sitting up and learning to walk. Though the babies had a slow start they have grown, developed and shown that they are bright, creative little ones. They are also joyful, loving babies, whose smiles and laughter captures every heart. It is easy to see why they brought joy to the hearts, not just of the adults that work with them but of every other child that came to the Miriam Home! These little ones remind the other children of their little brothers and sisters and gave them a real feeling of home.

One of our goals for Altieres and Thavilidy has been to see them in a godly family, who would be able to provide the special healthcare needs they have, and much more, meet their emotional and spiritual needs so that they can grow up to be the man and woman of God they are meant to be. For quite a time this goal was frustrated by the fact that their mother would not release them to be adopted, but did not make the life changes needed to allow the children to return to her (specifically, to stop drinking). The juvenile judge felt he couldn’t permanently remove them from their mother against her will without giving her one more chance and in May of this year he decided that the children’s health was strong enough that they should be returned to their mother to see if she could and would care for them. The attempt lasted less than a month. During this time the children (now nearly two years old) spent the day outside in a single crib (because there was no safe place in the house or yard for them to play), and at night slept on a mattress on the floor.

Read the exciting new for these beautiful twins here as well as read the rest of Jonni’s newsletter.

TJAbel Journal: September

Recent News:

After a crazy time of packing all our things up and moving out of our house we finally made it back to the US in May for a year furlough. Summer seems to be slipping away so quickly, but we have been blessed to meet many of you, friends, at different
conferences and camps, retreats and churches.  Both Tamba & I have especially enjoyed being ministered to. Four years on the mission field one is mostly giving out, so it is good to have the opportunity to sit under some good teaching again.
I am also trying to read as much as possible. This year I read four books, two of them were a great blessing to my life: "A Place of Healing" by Joni Eareckson Tada and "The Hammer of God" by Bo Giertz. Besides being refreshed in our souls, we will try to refresh our financial scenario in order to be able to return to the field. Then, and only then will we be heading back to the work for which we are involved in Brazil (the church planting in Maringa, teaching at the Seminary in Campo Mourao, being on the Board of the Miriam Infant Home, running Bible Camps, etc).

Our Family:

This summer April enjoyed traveling with the Majesty Team and now is at AFLBS for her second year. Tom had the opportunity to work in the kitchen at the ARC while getting his driver's license. Now he is starting his first year at AFLBS
and his roommate is his cousin, Jed Gill from Brazil. Both April & Tom are looking for jobs. Michelle really liked all the camps and activities this summer, especially hanging out with her big sister's friends. We are homeschooling her as we
travel the US. She misses her friends in Brazil so every chance she gets, she tries to Skype with them.

Presently we are traveling to the Pacific Northwest visiting our churches and WMF rallies.  Every fourth Sunday each month we have a service meeting via Skype with our church family in Brazil.  Modern technology is a wonderful tool to keep us united and in touch! 

To see some wonderful pictures and the Abels’ prayer requests, visit their newsletter here.

Kvale Connection: What Happens While They Wait?

Often times, we refer to Bibleless peoples still waiting for God’s written word in their heart language and we explain the many years that translation can take. What is being done in the meantime? Wycliffe Bible Translators with One Story, as well as partner organizations such as Faith Comes By Hearing with listening devices, and Campus Crusade for Christ with the “JESUS” film, work to communicate God’s truth to those who will learn best by oral means while the written word is being translated and printed, and literacy programs are being developed.

In the fall of 2008, disastrous floods swept through part of India, killing thousands and affecting 30 million people. Not long before this, The Seed Company (a Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate) partnered with New India Evangelistic Association (NIEA), to craft oral Bible stories into nine spoken-only languages in the hard storm-hit regions of India.  During relief operations for the flood victims, oral Bible stories brought hope and salvation to many. In December, again the Word of God was shared and the “JESUS” film shown in the local language. That evening, 800 people became followers of Jesus.  Over the course of 2011, NIEA workers tramped footpaths into remote villages, bringing with them digital audio players with recorded Bible stories.  Groups gathered to listen, much
discussion took place and there were many wonderful questions to answer. Thus, the digital players become a strategic tool to explain, discuss and share with oral cultures. By September 2010, among the 8,800 people listening to the Gospel on the devices, there were 1,052 commitments to Christ. May the message be heard before the storms.

To read the rest of the Kvale’s Newsletter and know how to pray for them, please click here.

Hello from Odessa

Here is an excerpt from Andy and Monica Coyle’s latest newsletter.  To read about the exciting plans for the Bible School and meet one of Andy’s co-workers, please visit this site to download a PDF copy.

In many ways, the similarities of this time of year remind us of home. It has started to get cooler, there is a marked presence of farm machinery outside the city, and everyone in our house is “back to school” (well, maybe not Josiah!).

Our main focus these days is learning Russian. Making plans for the Bible School has been a growing priority as well. We are thankful for opportunities to get to know new people and for the new friends made.

Yesterday I returned from Kiev where I participated in my first seminar. It was a wonderful weekend of fellowship and learning for me. My seminar was a textual study of Romans 12:1-2. These congregational seminars are a large part of the ministry of the Youth Center, and are vital for the Church here in Ukraine (as well as other countries). Please pray for open doors and open hearts as we teach God’s Word across this land.

You can find the Coyle’s blog here:  Life with the Coyle’s.

AFLC of India Medical Camps

Mr.Raju is a medical doctor in Chirala who helps at Free Lutheran Medical Camps.      Irrespective of caste and creed, the AFLCI conducts free camps in many villages where there are Free Lutheran Congregations.  Many villages do not have hospitals so villagers have many problem when they are sick.  These mobile clinics help them to sustain their health.
 
These camps  provide medicines to poor sick people in villages freely.  AFLCI is always thankful to her sister organization AFLC in Canada for supporting these mobile medical camps and also thankful to AFLC US World Missions for supporting Dr.Raju so that he is able to conduct camps in many villages.

These photos were recently taken when Dr. Raju conducted camps.  Dr.Raju works for AFLCI for a full 20 days each month and the rest of the month he spends in his own clinic and with his family.  Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

New Faces, Old Hearts

Here is a teaser from Jonni’s September newsletter.  To read the whole letter, please click here.

September - right in the middle of the year, is really a time of beginnings. Summer slips away as a new season enters. School starts up again with all kinds of excitement and challenges. Here in the Miriam Home it is a time for change too. The weather is starting to warm up (it’s sad to say but I will probably be complaining about the heat in no time), the children are able to run and play almost to their hearts content (they have school too) because the rains have passed, and we have some new friends in the house!

Samuel has actually been with us for several weeks, but it is the first chance I have had to introduce him. This precious young man is eight years old and has won the hearts of everyone in the house. He is a typical little boy; he chases the older girls in the house with worms, loves to tell riddles (most of which make no sense to an adult gringa) and gives and receives hugs and cuddles from his “aunties” all day. Visiting with Samuel it is hard to imagine why he is in The Miriam Home. I would love to tell you that our little boy is here because of a temporary situation in his family, but the reality is much sadder. Samuel is the oldest of three children, and the “dad” in the family today is not the father of any of the children. Samuel’s mother loves her children but has little control of her own life. She recently found out that she is HIV+ (praise the Lord, none of her children are). She has moved frequently and always seems to be on the edge of falling apart. In an attempt to provide an opportunity for her son, Samuel’s mother sent him to live with her sister so he could go to school. It sounded good at the time, but during a period of six months the child was abused twice; once at the school he was going to, once by a neighbor of the aunt. The juvenile court is investigating the case. For something like this to happen once is awful, for it to happen twice in a short amount of time requires serious questions.

In the mean time Samuel is in a safe place where he knows he can sleep in peace and play without worrying about who is watching him!

Missions Devotional

The following devotional was written by Scott Erickson:

Romans 3:10,11 “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who seek for God.”

Growing up in a loving Christian home we had family devotions regularly. A death of a classmate (9 year old) and his uncle made a big impact in our community and many families. We made some life important changes. Bible camps, bible schools, special meetings, and many more gatherings became of much more importance. I really didn’t grasp it at the time, but as the next few years came and as I grew older more was revealed. One year at bible camp a summer team from the Bible School was doing a skit about Jesus hanging on the Cross. Different individuals would come up and mock Him. It was at this time I truly realized--‘That was me!--doing this to my Lord and Savior.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

I always had thought highly of myself and seemed to be a very good person. It came easy to justify myself when I could point out others faults and shortcomings. God grabbed a hold of me by using my parents and examples of young believers to point out where I stood. It isn’t about me. It’s all about Him. No more trying to impress others, but instead laying down my sins at His feet and allowing Him to work in my life so He could be seen.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through or Lord Jesus Christ.”

The road became narrow and much more difficult. Satan doesn’t like it when someone comes to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Knowing God is in charge is a wonderful thing. He is faithful to be with us through tough and easy times. He keeps His promises in His Word even when I am not faithful. The daily battle can only be victorious when we have a strong personal relationship with Him.

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Emergency in East Africa–World Relief

World Relief is the aid agency that the AFLC works with.  Donations can be made through AFLC World Missions or directly to World Relief. 

If you’re donating online with the button at the left be indicate that it is for “Africa Emergency-WR.”

Foreigners

I Corinthians 14:11   “If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker and he is a foreigner to me.”

This verse took on a literal meaning when we traveled to Czech Republic this summer. The hotel we stayed at was within five blocks of the country of Poland. We enjoyed taking walks on each side of the river. Crossing the bridge meant you were entering a different country, each with its own currency and language. Whether in Czech Republic or Poland, the languages were foreign to us and that created some interesting challenges with simple tasks such as ordering a meal. Picture menus are priceless!

As we traveled, we found most of the younger generation could speak some English and we found relief in that as I have not yet begun to comprehend the foreign languages I encounter. I had been invited to speak at the annual youth conference in Smilovice, Czech Republic.

Tuesday morning Sherry and I participated in a breakout session presented by a pastor from Sweden. It was one of very few times

Schierkolk August Newsletter

 Editor’s note:  Adri is the woman in the middle of the photo.

This past February Adri was diagnosed with cancer.  Originally from Venezuela, she’d had a hard life full of sad circumstances, bad decisions and their tragic
consequences. In God’s love and providence the next two months following the diagnosis served to force her to confront some of the faith and life issues that she had been content to let linger. As the possibility of death grew more real, the reality of who her Savior was and what He had done for her grew more precious.

Throughout those months we had many special times of prayer and reading from God's word with Adri and her girls before we left for our time of deputation. It was very hard to say good-bye. The news that I received just two weeks after arriving in the United States was not good and yet God was still doing good things. There had been many things we'd heard from the doctors, some very hopeful and some very bad. We had been forcefully keeping our eyes on Jesus remembering that even if the doctors are right in their diagnosis, God always has the last word and that if He has the power to raise a dead man from his tomb (Lazarus) he also has the power to cleanse a body
from cancer no matter how bad it looks. Then we
received the news that Adri's cancer had spread into her lungs. She had been in great pain. She made it through two chemotherapy sessions but one doctor said there really wasn’t any point in attempting a third. By that point Adri just wanted to go to heaven.

To read how Adri’s story ends, please click here to read the entire story!

Video of Cassie Nash in Haiti

Short Term Missionary Cassie Nash

Short term missions assistant Cassie Nash has been working in Haiti.  She has been in the US for the Summer.  Right now she is back in Haiti for a short time of planning.  Please be in prayer for Cassie.

Jonni’s August Newsletter

Last month I presented Adriana and Deborah to you; lovely girls who have had far too many hurtful experiences in their young lives. It isn’t surprising that these experiences have shaped the way the girls see the world and their behavior. One of Adriana’s struggles is that she has a very poor moral standard. That is pretty common when girls are abused as children. They don’t see them-selves as valuable and don’t see why they shouldn’t give themselves away. It has been a challenge to minister truth into Adriana’s life and at the same time to protect the boys that are in the house from her advances. This means that we spend a lot of time talking and praying with both the boys and the girls and watching all the time for signs of trouble.

This last week-end the Free Lutheran Church had a youth retreat. 80 young people from 13 to 20 participated,
coming from 4 cities and 6 churches. It was wonderful! The three oldest Miriam Home kids (Josivaldo, Adriana and Maria) took part and it was so exciting to see God move. The theme was “Warm my Heart, Lord” and the subject that was taught was purity! Pastor Antonio, the Free Lutheran pastor from a neighboring city, was the speaker and he was both very direct and very challenging, helping all of these young people understand their personal value, the importance of walking in purity in a sex crazed world and that God has the power to support us if we are willing to walk with Him!

I was so blessed by what I saw as God’s provision specifically for one wounded child. Pr Antonio spoke over and over to Adriana’s situation, giving examples that came right from her life, though he had no way of knowing. When he declared that God could bring healing to lives of young people who had already lost their purity, Adriana was blessed with hope this week-end. In so many ways we have seen changes and growth in Adriana life and we are very excited to see God’s victory in this area also!

There is much more to read about in Jonni’s newsletter, so click here to read all about it!

Update on Uganda Struggles

This is an update on the young girl, Talitha, who was demon-possessed.  If you have not read the first part of her story, check out the Jore’s blog here.

From an August 4th post:  This past Monday, six days after Jowali and his family professed their faith in Christ, Talitha became demon-possessed again. It was a blow to all of us. How could this happen? Was she not now under Christ’s protection? Was her faith not genuine? We couldn’t make sense of it.

The demons first attacked Talitha at her school two weeks ago. When she was re-possessed, it also happened at her school, along with 4 other students. Tuesday, Wednesday and today there were more students attacked at the school. Tomorrow we will be going to the school with a group of intercessors we have organized from here in Jinja to pray over the school.

From an August 6th post:  Thank you all who have been in prayer for us during the past couple of days.  We have seen the Lord at work. I’d like to update you on our trip to the village yesterday.

We gathered a team of intercessors who would come with us to pray over the school.  There were thirteen in total.  Among them was a man named Gerald.  When I met him and thanked him for his willingness to come, he simply said, “This is what I am called to do.”  Praise the Lord! Another in the group was Jeremiah, a converted witchdoctor.  He said that as a former witchdoctor he specializes in finding and burning witchcraft.

Early in the morning we set off for the village in a van.  Jowali, Talitha’s father, had requested that we begin at his home and then go to the school afterwards.  When we arrived, Talitha was inside the house.  We gathered chairs in a circle and a mat in the middle.

As she was brought out of the house, she was crying loudly, hitting, kicking and gnawing her tongue. The demons were attacking her again.  Her suffering touched me deeply.  The team immediately started praying over her as they held her on the mat.  I observed that one of the team members, Pastor Joseph, did not join in the praying immediately, but stood back and observed.

After about ten minutes of praying, he stood up and told everyone to stop. He said, “There is a reason the demon is not going.  It has authority to remain.”

To read the rest of the story…and it is an amazing story, please check out the Jores’ blog post here.

Greetings from the Ukraine

Since we last wrote after our arrival, we have been getting settled in our new home, an apartment in downtown Odessa. It has been fun to do some exploring around town and to try out our Russian. We have managed to find some neat markets and grocery stores, and were able to bike together on a few excursions.

The children seem to be adjusting well, covered by His grace. Thank you all for your prayers for them. While they miss friends and family at times, they are enjoying the new adventures and are making a few new friends. I guess the same is true for Andy and I! We are so thankful for the relationships being built here and the ways God so visibly has cared for us. There have been countless answers to prayer. Thank you for holding us up!

We joined EEMN's short-term team for the English Bible Camp for our first two weeks. Andy and Ann, my cousin, co-taught a class of 6-7 year olds. It was an excellent week of ministry- check out our blog for the full update. Following that, we hosted a team of four short-term missionaries for a week. It was a joy to have them, and they were a big blessing as they cared for the kids while Andy and I were able to go out.

We just returned from attending an 8-day family camp with the Lutheran Church, which was a wonderful time to get to know our co-workers and the broader ministry of the Youth Center. Check out our blog update for the full report. The camp was located on the shore of the Black Sea, which was so beautiful! Though it was a hot week, it was a good time for our family.

As we look forward to the month ahead, we are eager to get into new routines at home. We are thankful for new doors opening for: language study, a preschool/kindergarten program for Moriah and Isaiah, and ministry opportunities to help us acclimate and practice our Russian. Later this month, after the youth camps end, Andy will be joining with others in planning some of the fall ministry events and Bible School planning.

We hope this finds you doing well, and we pray God's abundant grace to meet you in each day in the month ahead.

Prayer Needed for Struggles in Uganda

There have been spiritual struggles in Uganda recently.  You can read about them on Nate Jore’s and Han’s Tanner/Micah Berger’s blog.

Click here for:

Nate Jore’s Blog

Han’s Tanner/Micah Berger’s Blog