Ambassador Inquiry Fall 2014

DEPENDENT

How would you describe missions?
We have missions in several countries, so it can be a location. People go on mission trips, so it describes something that we do. There are a growing number of missionaries, so it describes people and their occupation.
Recently, I have been reminded that mission is a description of surrender and a position of dependence. The missionary surrenders goals, dreams or desires to follow the Lord and His plan for their life. Missionaries seem like strong people, yet they are dependent on the Lord to work in lives of people.
In Psalm 62:7-8, David describes his dependence:  My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
This newsletter is not available online yet, but you can click here next week.  (Click here to see the Inquiry Newsletter)

INDIA

One hundred people attended a disciple-making convention in Chirala, India in August. The goal of that training was to create disciples who plant churches, the Ambassador Institute teaches pastors and leaders within churches so they understand God’s Word fully; both are needed to build God’s kingdom.
Pastor Del and Karen Palmer, John and Heidi Nelson, Glenn and Marge Espe and Pastor Kent Sperry have been in India recently. One facet of their trip was to prepare for the Ambassador Institute work this fall.
There are some aspects of ministry that do not happen in short 1-2 week mission trips. A lasting deep impact requires time. The next three months, Pastor Kevin and Pam will be dependent on the Lord during their time in India. Pastor Kevin will be teaching the teachers, setting up a structure for the Ambassador Institute, adding classes and working along side of those in India to apply God’s Word to the biblical role of pastors.
Pam will be working with the Bible Women, sharing her testimony with them, and helping with St. Paul’s School as a teaching assistant.
They will also depend on the Lord to use them and on others for translation and transportation.

Pastors Anil, Puneeth and Devasahayam
Pastors Devasahayam Dunna, Puneeth Kumar, Santhi Babu, Katti Anil Kumar and T Emmanuel continue to teach at Chirala, Karlapalem and Chituroo. These men are now completing the two-year curriculum with these three classes who hope to be finished by November. Some of the classes have fallen behind and there is a need to ensure that the classes meet regularly.
Devasahayam has been leading the training from the beginning. Anil recently joined the AFLC India. He comes with Bible School training and is strong in his English. Puneeth graduated at the top of the first class to be taught in India. Emmanuel is a short animated young man that has a heart for evangelism and speaks English well, and Santi Babu is a quite man whose father is also an AFLC pastor.

UGANDA
The work in Uganda continues to expand with new classes starting as other classes finish. Three classes of the third generation have completed their two-year study. The students depend on the Lord to keep up with the rigorous memorization and the passing of the tests. The Ambassador Institute is dependent on faithful students who in turn are willing to train future classes.
One of the new classes started near Kenya because of a student that returned to his home area and invited his community to learn the Word of God. There were 40 students at the first meeting! Pray that the Lord will continue to give these students strength as they invest in the Word of God.
With the expanding work, we are dependent on the ministry team to work with the teachers and to keep the classes learning together. The ministry team needs faithful teachers who will disciple the classes they have been given.
Micah Berger and Katelyn Gudim are both dependent on receiving support so that they can return to Uganda and continue developing the training. They are missed because all the short-term assistants have returned to the U.S.
Nate and Rhoda are also dependent on prayer for their work permits to be approved. The ministry in Uganda is difficult enough without these extra disturbances.

CURRICULUM
Pray for the ongoing work with the third year Romans curriculum. The seven students that are taking this class are about half way through the book and have memorized seven chapters. After the first fourteen lessons, we gave tests to these students who are also teachers for other oral classes. Two of them did quite well, but five of them struggled.
In the past, these seven were all at the top of their class, so that means that we need to consider how this training is being done or if changes need to be made to the process. There is not another oral study on the book of Romans, so this is new territory for those preparing the lessons as well as those taking the classes.

A NEW HOUSE
Musasizi Wilson and his wife have been living in a mud and stick house. He is a humble man and has often traveled to teach classes when his help may have been needed at home as well.

This past spring, the leadership team decided that they wanted to see him move into a cement block home. A church in the U.S. donated $2000 to purchase the supplies and the team worked together to construct the building for his family.
This was a large statement to the community. Sometimes the spiritual work needs to have a tangible aspect associated with it. Praise the Lord with them for this new home.

DEPENDENT PRAYER

Prayer starts with God. It is made possible because God sent His Son to atone for our sin. The sin-obstacle has been removed. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace.”
He has also given us His Holy Spirit who enables us to pray. We are helpless in terms of spiritual strength and we are ignorant in terms of spiritual insight. We desperately need the Holy Spirit’s help as we pray.
Prayer centers in God. More than merely seeking things from God, true prayer seeks God Himself, for when we have Him we have all that we need. Prayer at its best reveals a soul made thirsty for God, just God alone. We need a realization of God’s glory and then of God’s grace.
Prayer asks of God. Our Lord used the word ask when encouraging His disciples to pray. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the son. Do you and I really ask God for things when we pray? Too many of us are perhaps only window shopping when we pray. May God enable us to ask in prayer.
Prayer is work for God.  Perhaps we are prone to consider prayer somewhat incidental in our Christian life. We know that we should pray but we have not come to value prayer as a highly effective means of advancing Christ’s kingdom. The interest and attention so often is placed upon those “up front” who are really doing something.
May God help us to see that without Him we can do nothing. But with Him, abiding in Him in prayerful dependence, He promises to bring forth fruit, even much fruit.
This excerpt was taken from Dr. Monseth’s writing on prayer for the Lutheran Ambassador.

LIFE OF DEPENDENCE
The ministry of the Ambassador Institute is a dependent ministry. It is dependent on the Father to open doors, for Jesus to transform lives and the Holy Spirit to teach people God’s Word. It is dependent on your prayers, your support, and international partners who join us in this same vision.
Being dependent on the Lord is good, it is the best place to be, but it can be uncomfortable. It means surrendering control and trusting in God. That is how we feel as Pam and I go to India. He gets to determine when things move and what defines success. It is easy to trust God for the things that we understand, however, growing in trust happens when the only possible solution is in the Lord.  
Within this state of dependence, we have seen the Lord open the door for the AI curriculum in seven languages in 7 years. He has provided translators and leaders in each country that we have worked in. He has multiplied the number of classes and the number of students. We have also seen doors for countries close, thriving classes drop in attendance and teachers that needed to be removed from leadership.  
This ministry, in a position of dependence, has not always gone forward in a way that makes sense from a human perspective, but looking back it is obvious that the Lord is the One that has made it possible.
We cannot control what the Lord will do, but we can have confidence that He is in control and that He has good things in store for those that wait and depend on Him.

Serving Our Savior,                    kevino@aflc.org
Pastor Kevin Olson                     www.ambassadorinstitute.org

The Prayer Requests and Inquiry Newsletter should be online next week. The website is under some changes.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Inquiry Newsletter, facebook: Info, Photos, Videos, Classes

3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd.

Minneapolis, MN 55441
Ambassador Institute Department Head  763-412-2029

September 2014 Prayer Update from Paul and Becky

Volumes could be written about the last four months.  Lots of people, lots of activity, lots of ministry, lots of fun.  I suppose I could write a chapter a day (at least) but I know most people have difficulty in even getting through a newsletter.  Besides I really don't have the time and energy to put into it. (Aren't you glad?)  I have decided to highlight a few of the great things that have happened and let the photos give you a peek into our lives.

Short term missionaries came to have a missionary experience with us.  Quincy Koll from Nebraska spent June through mid-August.  His highlight was spending time at the Miriam Infant Home in Campo Mourão (pictured below).  Sarah Larson is still with us on a 3-month internship experience until mid-October.  Besides helping us she has been a great help at Lighthouse (Joanna's school) and has made a great friendship with a Brazilian family (pictured below at the annual Festival of Nations that the school puts on.

 

July and August were great months.  It was wonderful to have the AFLC Student Missions team with us for 16 days.  The 23 young people and their fearless leader Jon Nelson were a tremendous blessing!  It's fun to see young people who love the Lord and are willing to serve Him with a whole heart.  These kids did a great job at making friends with the Brazilians. We had Bible Camp the first weekend they were here and then we got busy on work projects.  Mafu and Paul kept busy organizing jobs for everyone.  We did lots of interesting things, including travels to Campo Mourão and Iguaçu Falls. They formed a beautiful choir and blessed us with their voices and testimonies.

     Two days after they left a group of 40 from Concordia University in Irvine, CA, joined us for another two weeks of non-stop action.  Adam Lee, son of Bob and Gloria Lee, is one of the teachers leading this group as they visit 10 countries around the world until Christmas time. Brazil was their first stop.  We kept them busy interacting with Brazilians and doing work projects.  They were a success at Language House (our daughter Christina's school).  We even had an English camp at the ARCA while the group was with us.

With groups that visit us we have a motto: "Work hard! Pray hard! Play hard!" We did all three and made lots of special memories. Try to imagine keeping clothes washed and tummies fed for upwards of 40 people for 30 days and you can imagine that we were pretty exhausted by the time it was over.  To add to the excitement, we had an unfortunate accident with our faithful bus.  Thankfully no one was hurt badly, and we are looking into the possibility of fixing the bus.  Also, Matthew's car was stolen one  night so we had a few losses, but many more blessings!

One of those blessings is the engagement of our son Matthew to Ednay!  So many miracles happened since July!  In mid-July we mentioned the idea of Ednay going to AFLBS to help her learn English and get to know some of Matthew's American reality.  God provided for everything in the midst of our crazy schedule and she was accepted at AFLBS, applied for a visa and was granted one, found a ticket with frequent flyer miles, and now is an official student at AFLBS.  Matthew also decided to return to the U.S. to work and consider the possibility of being an AFLC missionary.  To add to all the excitement he decided to cut his long locks after so many years of enjoying long hair!

Whew!  After all the commotion in July and August we decided to TAKE A BREAK!  Our sons and son-in-laws surprised Paul with a special trip to Alaska in September to celebrate his 60th birthday (October 18). These busy guys had a fantasic time enjoying the wonders of God's creation and the unforgettable privilege of spending time together.  My cousin, Dr. Tom Elton, and his wife Molli welcomed them graciously and helped them make the most of their 10 days in this gorgeous part of the world!  Since they were going to be gone I also planned a trip to visit my parents and take our oldest granddaughter Deborah on a trip to visit her great grandparents.  We had a special two weeks.  I helped Ednay get settled at AFLBS and was also able to have special moments with 13 nieces and nephews, plus time with my sister and sister-in-law.  God was so gracious in giving us this special time away.

Now we are back to work in Brazil.  As soon as we arrived we jumped back into ministry roles.  Our seminarians are with us again for ten days.  We have a wedding in Iguaçu Falls this weekend and a quick trip to Campo Mourão planned.  In October we look forward to a visit from Connely Dyrud and Brandon and Ashley Marschner.

Life goes on. Eternity in heaven approaches.  How are we investing in lives to prepare them for life with Jesus?  "Love the Lord, all his faithful people!  The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:23-24

A big thanks to all of you who take time to pray for us and who faithfully support us financially so that we can work in Brazil. May the Lord bless you and renew your hope in the Lord today!

All the way from Brazil to you, Paul and Becky

Support for our work designated for Paul and Becky Abel can be sent to:

AFLC World Missions 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55441

Miriam Children’s Home - September 2014

Keeping  Up

A lot of time I write you introducing new children in the  Miriam Home or letting you know that some of our        precious little ones have gone back to their families, but in between those two big events is the day to day of the   Miriam Home children. We know that, though the social service staff and juvenile judge have other ideas, each child comes to here because God wants to begin a new thing in their lives.

We have some precious young people who have been with us longer than most - Lucas, Helen and Rosa arrived in January and it is likely that they will be here until the end of the year. They arrived, to begin with, because their mother had abandoned the family, their father had to work and so the children were being left alone all day long (together with Mariana, their two year old sister). Shortly after the children joined the Miriam Home their mother came back. Finding her children gone, she finally realized her drinking was costing her everything. She asked to go in to a long term, very structured recuperation program and she is doing wonderfully! After a month Mariana joined her in the recuperation house and the   other three were allowed to visit here two week-ends a month. I has been lovely to see the children coming home week after week, so proud of the mother’s growth. She will be done with the program in November, and we are praying that the healing of their family will continue.

Click here to read the whole newsletter

Advent Conspiracy–World Relief

World Relief is the aid and relief organization with which AFLC World Missions partners.   Advent Conspiracy is their event to raise awareness, prayer and gifts for the needed around the world during the holiday season.  Can your church be involved in Advent Conspiracy?

Welcome to the Advent Conspiracy.

'Tis the season to share. To love. To give ourselves to something bigger than any of us. 'Tis the season to turn our heads, tune our hearts and worship a savior whose birth turned this world upside-down.

We all want our Christmas to be a lot of things: Full of joy. Memories. Happiness. Above all, we want Christmas to be about Jesus. What we don't want is stress. Or debt. Or feeling like we "missed the moment". Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently. A little creatively.

Your church is invited to join World Relief and Advent Conspiracy this Christmas. Together we can stand for the vulnerable as we Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All this Christmas.

World Relief and Advent Conspiracy have created resources—including photos, kids resources, bulletin insert, and more — to help your church grow the conspiracy and experience Christmas like never before. Visit worldrelief.org/advent to access these resources, and for more information!

Interested in joining the conspiracy with World Relief this Christmas? Contact us at advent@wr.org to begin discussing your church’s participation!

WORLD RELIEF 7 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | 800.535.5433 | worldrelief@wr.org

Click here for World Relief's Privacy Policy. To change your email preferences or unsubscribe click here.

Missions Devotional

The stave churches of Norway were built in the 12^th and 13^th centuries, not long after Christianity was first introduced in the country. Some of the churches and their amazing architecture and beautiful woodwork still remain.

On the exterior of the churches crosses can be found. Often a dragon’s head can be found as well. These heads were also found on Viking ships and were part of Norse mythology. The dragon’s heads seem to suggest the builders of the churches weren’t completely sure this Christianity they had recently converted to was the only way. They thought it would be good to put a symbol from mythology up on the church, along with a cross, just in case. They were trying to keep all the “gods” happy.

Those 12^th century Norwegian carpenters would have fit in well in the American spiritual landscape of today. Many, when it comes to what they believe, are keeping all their options open. They’ll practice some Buddhist meditation, talk about Hindu karma and admire the Mormons’ family values. They believe 1.6 billion Muslims can’t be all wrong. They’ll baptize their babies and take Communion in a Christian church and think it can all fit together and all these religions basically teach the same thing.

Spiritual beliefs that resemble a religious smorgasbord are not a new thing. The Romans believed in many “gods.” They would not have been so bothered by the early Christians if Jesus had been presented as just another option people could consider. What upset them was when the Christians declared, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The early Christians held on to the cross of Christ alone. They presented Jesus to the world not as something that might work for some people, but as the one hope of salvation for all people. In Acts 17 we read of Paul speaking in Athens to people who had many objects of worship. He told them of the one true Creator God, who was over all other objects of worship and had raised Jesus from the dead.

The builders in Norway who included the dragons on the churches were probably fearful and uncertain that they could trust Jesus as the only hope of salvation. They needed to, and we need to, remember that Jesus is our certain hope of salvation. We can trust Him fully. We don’t need a backup plan. He is our one hope, and He is our solid and sure hope. He will never fail us. We can cast aside other things we used to trust in. Without fear we can go all in, trusting in Christ alone.

~ By Craig Johnson

Rev. Samuel Flores Dies

Rev. Samuel Flores of the Central Mexican Lutheran Church died September 3, 2014, at the age of 93. 

Pastor Flores requested fellowship with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations in 1977.  The AFLC Annual Conference approved this fellowship as a new mission work in 1978.  The Central Mexican Lutheran Church (CMLC) was formed in 1980. 

 

 

The outreach in Mexico began in the city of Leon and was soon extended to Celaya in 1982 and Irapuato in 1983.  The CMLC has been a big part of the work of AFLC World Missions in Mexico.

 

Rev. Flores pastored the church in Leon, and lead the CMLC, until his death.

 

 

Pastor Flores in the Sanctuary

of the Church in Leon.

Pillman Family in Ecuador

Dear family and friends,
It feels like we have been “on our feet” a lot these past
few months with travel to, from, and throughout the
US. It was such a blessing to see many of you and to
be able to share about the work the Lord is doing here
in Ecuador. We are so thankful for children who are
good travelers and for the many people who graciously
opened their hearts and homes to us while we were on
the road.
Click here to read the whole newsletter

News from the Coyles - Bible Training Ministry in Ukraine and Beyond

“But [we] trust in you, O Lord; [we] say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand… Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:14-15a, 24

Dear Prayer Team,

We are back in Ukraine and have enjoyed the beautiful August weather here in our home. It has been very nice to get back into the rhythm of life. The past few months have been a whirlwind for our family. We really enjoyed our time in the States seeing friends and family, pulpit filling, participating in a family camp, and most of all welcoming our new son into the world. Levi Michael was born June 18, and his first two months of life have been filled with lots of excitement and travel. He never lacks love from his siblings either. Most of all, we are so thankful to our Lord who upheld, provided, and ministered to us through all the changes and challenges. God has been good.

Click here to read the whole newsletter

Mafú on Mission - August 2014 Update

Hello Friends and Family!

           I am happy to announce good news to the world! Usually that means the Gospel, but today there is another piece of news -  I am engaged! I asked my lovely girlfriend, Ednay Fernanda Rodrigues de Andrade, if she would marry me and she answered "Yes!" (Actually she said "Yes, a thousand times yes!" but that seems a bit too cheesy to put in an e-mail.)

            Yes, I know you all want to tell me how wrong I was when I thought I never wanted to get married. The truth is that I actually never did think of getting married, but now I do. #peoplechange #neversaynever

            Now that the breaking news is out of the way, let me tell you of some of the challenges, plans and changes in the past month.  Part of the challenge is that we (the Arca family) have been hosting large groups of students from the USA, and that modifies our "routine" quite a bit. Organizing and equipping 25-40 young people to be a blessing and have a great mission experience is no small task. I helped with organizing the work projects and translating.  We also had camps to organize during each group visit.

    Another unexpected challenge is that the ARCA bus rolled over and got wrecked. Then on August 16 my car (that I had just fixed up for sale) was stolen. In the middle of July my mom came up with a random idea that perhaps Ednay could study at AFLBS in the fall.  In a miraculous hurry God caused everything to fall into place. My mom travelled with Ednay to the U.S. yesterday to get her settled in for a time of learning and growing. My brother Andrew and I and our brothers-in-law, Silvio and Daniel, surprised my Dad (Paul Abel) by planning a trip to Alaska to celebrate his 60th birthday, so we are looking forward to a great "guy time" for the next 10 days, flying to AK on Thursday, Aug. 28.

            My plan for this semester is to stay in the USA as my fiancé is attending AFLBS.  We do not yet know about 2015. I will be driving truck in Stephen, MN, during beet harvest in October and am still looking for work for the rest of the year.

            In September I will be meeting with the AFLC mission board to discuss some options for my future. Both Ednay and I are looking forward to serving God and the Church in Missions, yet we do not have a specific vision and/or destination yet.

            Please contact me via Facebook or e-mail if you would like a visit (either personally or at your church) for me to share about missions (Brazil, Panamá, the world). I'll be glad to see what I can do in the time I have near you.

            I also need to find a place to stay, more job opportunities, and a car to drive. Your friendship, your prayers and your suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you for participating with me in the life of the Kingdom. May God Bless you. Mafú

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:2

WAGNER UPDATE: Evacuation & Now What?

WE MADE IT! After three planes, four countries, and many instances of God’s hand of protection and leading, we’ve arrived safely in Chicagoland! My favorite example was when we stood at immigration on our way out of Sierra Leone. The man said Isaiah (3wks old) couldn’t leave Sierra Leone because there was no visa in his emergency passport (remember: the passport that came in one day instead of three weeks!). With some timely Isaiah screams and nudging from his coworkers (and maybe from the Lord?), the immigration officer grudgingly signed the passport and mercifully growled us on our way.

NOW WHAT? We’re back from Sierra Leone temporarily as we wait for the Ebola epidemic to be controlled in West Africa. Discussions for what we’ll do in the meantime with LBT are underway. In the midst of crazy packing and goodbyes, Josh was able to meet with the Themne translation coordinator, install Skype on his computer, and teach him how to use it. Having already received two calls from him since we left, we feel hopeful to keep in close contact with our team and get firsthand updates on the situation there! Please pray for all these details, for the translation work to continue, and for the epidemic to end quickly!

HUGS. Though many have expressed relief that we’re back in the USA, our hearts are very much tied to our work and life in Sierra Leone. As a precaution we couldn't even shake hands or hug our closest friends. We’ve left almost everything for our return. We are thankful that we didn't have exposure to any Ebola victims, but we ask you to pray for those in Sierra Leone who are helping and those who cannot leave.

Thank you, Team, for standing with us. ((Hug))

Many have asked how to help cover costs of evacuation (significant!) and unexpected living costs for this year. You can send a check made out to LBT and designated “Wagner Ministry.” Or even easier… hit the “Contribute Now” here: http://us.lbt.org/project/josh-ruthie-wagner/
Josh, Ruthie, Elijah (2yrs), & Isaiah (4wks)
Missionaries with LBT to Sierra Leone
http://www.lbt.org/missionaries/jrwagner.php

August Newsletter from Jonni Sliver - Saying Hello, Saying Good-bye

In the last month we have had the joy of saying good-bye. That is notable because saying good-bye isn’t always (or often) easy. But this month we saw baby Nicolas return to his parents, and from all we can see, we are hopeful! The sweet little guy came to us because his parents had made some bad decisions, but losing him for nearly two months shook them to their roots. It honestly appears that they have made life style changes and understand that the most precious thing in their lives is this little boy.

Our second farewell came when Gabriel left to join his new adoptive parents! The relationship was love a first sight on all sides - Gabriel’s new parents came to visit him twice, and by the end of the second visit Gabriel was calling them mom and dad. He only went for one visit to their home before all three knew they belonged together. It is the happy ending we are always praying for.

Click here to read the whole newsletter.

DOUBLE PRAISE

Ruthie Wagner
July 30, 2014

DOUBLE PRAISE! We were told yesterday at the embassy that it would take weeks to get an emergency passport for Isaiah (3 wks old tomorrow). We heard, “I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do." We pleaded with them. I cried. We prayed. You prayed. Today... we walked out of the embassy with an emergency passport in hand. BAM! That's the way our God works. Praise #2 is that LBT was able to book tickets on a same flight Joshua's sis and bro-in-law (Brian) are taking on Tuesday, August 5th. “Thank you, Lord." And, my mom leaves this Sunday. So, we'll be busy arranging details for our time away from sweet Salone... hopefully short time. Leaving sure is the pits, but God is working everything out for us.

Thanks, praying Team. You are warriors.

WAGNER URGENT UPDATE: Ebola & Evacuation

ACTION: With great sadness we inform you that we have to leave Sierra Leone for a short time until the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is controlled.

WHY: The Ebola virus has begun infecting people in our city and civil unrest is a growing concern. Up until this week, we'd been planning to stay and were taking appropriate safety precautions. Unfortunately the outbreak has reached a point where our work and family activities are significantly restricted. It appears that things are likely to get worse before they improve.

WHERE & HOW LONG: We are initially going to LBT's home office in Aurora, IL for debriefing and discussion of plans while we wait to return to Sierra Leone. We are evacuating with essentials and valuables and saving everything else in Sierra Leone for our return.

HOW WE FEEL: Heartbroken. We write this with tears and deep disappointment. We were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of cultural stress and adjustment, a difficult pregnancy, and much sickness. We were seeing a way forward. Now we have to leave. While we know God’s ways are greater than ours, our emotions are raw. It’s especially difficult to leave our local partners, the work, our neighbors and friends. Most people don’t believe that Ebola is real or that it’s as bad as it is. We feel burdened to plead to God for their physical lives but also their spiritual lives. We plan to return. We plan to see the Word going forth and touching lives… in Themne.

FINANCIAL SITUATION: As evacuation plans continue to develop, we don’t know what our situation will be for the next several months. We know we have unexpected travel costs and living expenses as we keep our home in Sierra Leone and live in the USA for a short time.

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray…

- we can obtain an emergency passport for Isaiah (2.5 weeks old).

- we would be able to get tickets to travel with family visiting—Ruthie's mom and Josh’s sister and brother-in-law. (Praise God they’re here to help us!!!)

- for the epidemic to be controlled and that people would believe!
- for encouragement, strength, and protection for the Themne translation team.
Thanks, Team, for standing with us,
Josh, Ruthie, Elijah (2yo), & Isaiah (2.5wks)

News from the Coyles

As I (Monica) have been reviewing our photos from our time here so far, I echo the Psalmist's words from Psalm 23:5, "my cup overflows." Surely, His mercies to our family in these past two months have been more than seems possible. We are rejoicing in the safe arrival of our little Levi. We have been encouraged and strengthened during our time with our family. And we have been so humbled by the care of prayers of this amazing team God has built up for this ministry in Petrodolina, Ukraine.

Click here to read the whole newsletter

July Ecuador update

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."  I Corinthians 1:9

I read this passage this morning in my devotions, and it reminded me of how faithful God has been and will continue to be.  A lot has happened in the last month.  The students graduated from the Bible school in June.  It was a special day, especially since it was the completion of the first year of the Bible school in Ecuador. 
Since then, the school has moved and we are looking for a new location before the beginning of the new school year in September.  We have 4 students enrolled so far, with more possibilities.  I will be teaching an English Bible class 4 days a week for the whole school year starting in September.  I'm excited for the opportunity, but a little nervous as well.  I have been working on preparing my lessons and curriculum. 

This week was the first week of our summer kids club. We still have 2 weeks left.   We have around 50 kids and the students that graduated from the Bible school are teachers.  I helped prepare the lessons and crafts for the different classes.  I am also teaching English and piano.  I think I'm learning more Spanish than they are English in preparing for my classes-ha. 

Right now I am living with the pastor and his family until we find a new location for the school.  Today we visited a place that has potential, but ultimately it's in God's hands.

I was sick for a little while, but am feeling much better now, praise the Lord. 

Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouraging notes. 

Please pray:

For a new school location

For potential students

For my English class, preparing and teaching, that God would be glorified

For the Summer Kids' Club

Thank you again.  In Christ, Amanda Bellefy

WE'RE FOUR! INTRODUCING...

July 9th at 5:00 am, this precious bundle arrived. We are grateful to the Lord for a safe delivery in our home here in Sierra Leone. Ruthie's Mom (Margaret Lee) arrived evening of July 6th, in time for Isaiah's arrival--2 weeks early. Thank you for standing with us in prayer through this difficult pregnancy. Ruthie and Isaiah are doing very well!

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but sit shall accomplish that which I purpose,and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:10-11

Thanks, Team!

Josh & Ruthie (Elijah & Isaiah)

Missionaries with LBT to Sierra Leone

http://www.lbt.org/missionaries/jrwagner.php

July Newsletter from Jonni Sliver

And the Newbies Continue
Last month I introduced you to Nicolas and Amanda, and they were the only new arrivals for a good while! The Miriam Home population dipped a bit and even with our new arrivals we only had 13 children in the house. Down right quiet next to last year!
Well, you probably know, nothing stays the same for long! Just days after I wrote you, Raysa arrived. This sweet 9 year old came to us because of violence in her home (she lives with her mother and step-father). It is likely that she will be with us a short while, because her father has already gone to family court, requesting custody of his daughter, while Raysa’s mom hasn’t even called to make sure she is o.k. So we are packing all the love we can in the days we have with her.

After Raysa’s arrival we had a big surprise. Five brothers and sisters arrived! Samuel (8) and Jonas (5) arrived first. They came with a member of social services and two school teachers. That is because the teachers had been very concerned that the boys had been coming to school every day hungry, dirty - it was pretty obvious they were getting themselves ready for school every day, so when winter vacation started they decided to visit the boys at home and see what was happening. They found the two brothers alone in the house. There was no food, the boys were dirty, Jonas was wearing just a pair of shorts (it was a cold morning) the he reeked of urine. The teachers called social services and it took a while for them to arrive, still the children’s mom had not arrived, and the boys came to us. Pretty soon the social assistant arrived with the younger brother Miguel (2) and sister Vitoria (4) who had been at a free day care center, and finally, in the afternoon Nadia (11) arrived to fill out the picture.

Click here to read the entire letter.

July update–Nate & Rhoda Jore

Thanks for all of your messages, asking what has happened to us. Forgive us for not covering all of our bases in our communication with you all. We have found it to be easiest to give updates on our Facebook page, which we have primarily done these past several months. So, for all of you non-Facebookers, that has left you out of the loop. We are truly sorry about that. We value your prayer support, and are grateful for the interest that you have shown in what is going on here. For those of you who are on Facebook and are not currently connected with us that way, but would like to be, just request Nate or me as a friend and we will link you to our Facebook page where we post updates. We also periodically post on our blog (www.thejorefamily.wordpress.com).
On our blog, there is information on the police case that was brought against Nate back in December. In May, we received word that the case was dropped! We are so grateful to be finished with that season of wondering and waiting what was going to come of it. God's hand of protection on us through it was so evident. We are currently still waiting to hear back from the Immigration Department regarding the status of Nate's work permit. Back in December, we found out that the renewal of his work permit had been rejected and we were given 30 days to leave the country. He was told that he had one chance to appeal that rejection, which he did (in the form of a letter). And we are still waiting on the answer to his appeal. We're not quite sure why it is taking so long. Each time Nate has traveled to Kampala to check on it or has called in to the office, he has been told that no progress has been made on it and to check back later. So, we continue to wait. Our plans to build our home in the village are still on hold as our future here is still uncertain.
Life goes on and is quite "normal" for us, despite the fact that we could receive word any day that would determine whether or not we'd pack our bags and head back to the U.S. or dive into our plans to build our home in the village. I think we have gotten used to that tension and that feeling of being in limbo. God's peace that passes understanding and the confidence He has given us in His sovereignty has sustained us.
Nate has been loving teaching a new 3rd year Ambassador Institute course on Romans. He is teaching the core group of AI leaders/teachers and they are eating it up along with him. Studying Romans and figuring out how to teach it well has definitely been stretching for Nate, but it has been a challenge which he has eagerly taken on.
We continue to move in the direction of Nate handing over his leader/director position of the Ambassador Institute program here by the time we head back to the States on furlough next May. We are excited to watch it become more and more propelled by the vision and energy of the local leaders and teachers, as it becomes their own and not simply a program which was introduced to them.
Currently we have 6 interns from the States working alongside us here. They are each pretty amazing. They are involved in a variety of ministries in the community... working with street kids, leading a lunchtime Bible program for elementary kids, one-on-one mentoring, serving disabled kids, helping out at an orphanage, teaching Bible studies at a pregnancy center and at a nearby high school, teaching a music class, leading a Sunday school program, and more that I'm sure I don't even know about. Oh, of course, and ministering to our family hugely by helping out with teaching our kids and babysitting so Nate and I can have a weekly date night. We feel incredibly blessed and spoiled by them. We'll miss them when they all take off within the next month.
Our kids seem to all be growing at a rapid rate recently. Elijah, our oldest, is turning 10 on Wednesday. It hardly seems possible that he could be that old. He has shot up in height this past year and is gearing up to pass me before too long. He has proven to be just as intense of a soccer lover as Nate as they've watched the World Cup games together this past month. One of the things we love best about him is his inability to re-tell a funny story or joke without erupting in giggles. Judah is 8 and continues to be our dreamer and our lover of beauty and nature. He has started to try to play the piano by ear, which he told me last night he's going to do for his own enjoyment and not for a profession when he grows up. Hannah is 6 and currently thinks it's hilarious to tickle everyone in her proximity. She loves shoes and dressing up and ballet and nail polish, but she also loves to be right in the thick of it with the boys when they race and wrestle. She has taken off in her reading this year and begs to read books to me throughout the day. Jeremiah is 4 and is high-speed and intense in all things, all day long. He got a Nerf gun for his birthday last month, and he sleeps with it and talks about it and shoots people with it all day long as well. When professing his love to me recently he said, 'I love you so much, Mom. I won't ever push you off a cliff." Julia makes everyone laugh. She is a really happy kid and makes everyone else happy too. Her favorite things in life are sitting in a bucket of water outside, dumping water out of buckets, playing in the shower and the bathtub, leaving faucets running, flushing the toilet, and washing her babies. She also likes to talk about rats and dead animals, and she takes on a very grown-up tone when she begins to share her information about them.
As always, thanks for remembering us and praying for us and loving us. We feel so grateful to have such a strong support system of friends and family, as well as those of you we've never met. May God increase in each of you a hunger for His glory to be known and seen in your own lives and in all the nations.
Rhoda (for Nate and family too)

Anna Franz and Anja Fekingohoff Leave for Uganda

Anna and Anja have departed Minneapolis for Uganda as of 6:00am this morning. They are being prayerfully sent out and are ready to serve the Lord. It was great being able to send them off and seeing their passion for ministry and their desires to serve the Lord in this way! Please be in prayer for them; for safe travels, ministry opportunities, and for their time in Uganda. We serve a great God and He’s raising workers to serve.

Serving Him,

Jon Nelson

Department Head of AFLC World Mission Trips

Mafú (Matthew Abel) on Mission

Hello Friends and Family!

    Ãcõreba bendesidia! (“God bless you” in the Emberá language.) It is great to be back in Brazil, and I look forward to some time at home.

First off,  thank you for your prayers and financial support. We found ourselves constantly depending on the work of the Holy Spirit in order to succeed in all areas - spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, financial. Your prayers helped us succeed and your financial gifts provided for our basic needs for transportation and food. We made it - Thank you!

As you may or may not know, I have spent the last two months, along with 14 others, among the indigenous peoples of Panama. Just being a part of our team  was a cultural experience in itself as we had young people from Canada, U.S., Holland, Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Columbia, Panama and 2 different Indian tribes in Panama. We traveled by land and water from the northwest corner to the south side of Panama on the Pacific side and back up on the Atlantic side. Though we ministered to various people including Ngobe, Buglere, Emberá, Waunán, Afro-descendants and Latinos, the bulk of our time was spent with the Emberá Indians in the Darien rain forest near the Columbian border.

We spent time in churched areas, evangelizing and encouraging the church, loving and serving in Jesus’ name. We also went to where there are no churches preaching the Good News that Jesus paid it all and purchased our freedom from fear, sin, and damnation.  We entertained, we taught, we preached, we prayed for the sick, we cast out demons and we served in Jesus’ name.  

I have graduated from Discipleship Training School and am once again serving in Brazil.  As I reflect on this past semester I am encouraged to see how the Lord has used me in the building up of the Kingdom and how He has worked in my life, conforming me to Jesus.

Now I am at home with the continual mission of making disciples of Jesus by cultivating intentional relationships, pursuing Jesus, living the model life, preaching, teaching, loving, giving, serving, singing, smiling, submitting, encouraging, challenging, correcting, influencing, empowering ….. All for the glory of God, the salvation of souls and our joy!

    God bless you all.  In Christ, Mafú

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:2