Heading Home

The last time we wrote, we had recently arrived back in the States for our 6-month furlough. Our heads are spinning just a bit after a whirlwind of months filled with traveling, visiting and speaking at churches, spending time with family & friends, shopping & organizing what we need to bring back for this next 2 1/2 year term in Uganda, & continuing with schooling the kids.

Amidst the craziness, we have found time to be still, to reflect, to process and to vision about what's next. God has been very near to us, & has spoken to our hearts. When we came back in May, we were tired. Our vision and passion for the work in Uganda was dim. Our Father has breathed new life into us in a beautiful way, through His presence, through His Word, and through so many of you who took the time to speak into our lives and to communicate your love for us. We are so grateful  for each of you. We look forward to sharing with you soon about what specifically God has been teaching us and laying on our hearts.

We are eager & excited to return to Uganda in just a few days now. Our flight leaves on Wednesday, November 28th. Would you pray for us?

Thank you, friends.

With grateful and full hearts,
Nate & Rhoda
Elijah, Judah, Hannah, Jeremiah & Julia

Editor’s note:  Here is how you can pray for the Jores:

* Safe travels back to Uganda

* Health

* Unity and peace in our home as we make our way through another transition

* The time and ability to reconnect well with our friends in Uganda

* For each member of our family to know the Father's love for us & to extend His love and His grace to each other

* Protection from attacks from the evil one

* That God would be glorified through our family

The Jore’s Blog

Jore Family News

Heading Home The last time we wrote, we had recently arrived back in the States for our 6-month furlough. Our heads are spinning just a bit after a whirlwind of months filled with traveling, visiting and speaking at churches, spending time with family & friends, shopping & organizing what we need to bring back for this next 2 1/2 year term in Uganda, & continuing with schooling the kids. Amidst the craziness, we have found time to be still, to reflect, to process and to vision about what's next. God has been very near to us, & has spoken to our hearts. When we came back in May, we were tired. Our vision and passion for the work in Uganda was dim. Our Father has breathed new life into us in a beautiful way, through His presence, through His Word, and through so many of you who took the time to speak into our lives and to communicate your love for us. We are so grateful  for each of you. We look forward to sharing with you soon about what specifically God has been teaching us and laying on our hearts. We are eager & excited to return to Uganda in just a few days now. Our flight leaves on Wednesday, November 28th. Would you pray for us? Thank you, friends. With grateful and full hearts, Nate & Rhoda Elijah, Judah, Hannah, Jeremiah & Julia

Prayer Requests: * Safe travels back to Uganda * Health * Unity and peace in our home as we make our way through another transition * The time and ability to reconnect well with our friends in Uganda * For each member of our family to know the Father's love for us & to extend His love and His grace to each other * Protection from attacks from the evil one * That God would be glorified through our family     So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

Ambassador Institute Visits Ecuador

Precious family and friends,

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Cor. 9:15

As the holidays near, we remember each of you with fondness and feel just a little wistful for home. But we are also thrilled to be here and see how God is at work!

At the beginning of November, we were honored to have Pastor Kevin Olson with the Ambassador Institute visit us for ten days. He shared with the Paz de Dios church on how to orally share the stories of the Bible. We are confidant that God will use this new training to further equip the saints here to effectively share the Gospel with others. The work of discipleship also continues, and we continue to pray for God’s blessing as Justo and these young people study His Word.

In other news, we are excited to share our news that Patricia is expecting again. Our baby is due in early June. Please pray for her recovery from the morning sickness and that she can pick back up the duties of the household. Several of our family members will be visiting us over the next couple months. We look forward to welcoming them to Ecuador !

Editor’s Note:  You can read the rest of the newsletter here.

Meet Bogdan

Editor’s note:  We hope you have enjoyed getting to know the first  group of students studying at the Bible School in the Ukraine.  Please continue to pray for them in this new venture.

Hi! My name is Bogdan, I am 20. I am from Odessa.I started coming to Sunday school when I was 4, and I met God being rather young. So my childhood was rather bright. I actively participated in Sunday School activities, took part in different Christian performances,I liked that very much and I tried to serve God through this. Then I attended the youth group where I met Alexander Gross. He was responsible for the youth work then and also was the director of the Christian camp “Gloria.” Once the camp needed the person who would be responsible for technical stuff, video, sound, etc. in the camp. I tried this position and succeeded. I was doing this for several years and last year I was suggested to become the group leader. Here I understood that I have the lack of knowledge and experience but still have a great wish. And God responded to my need and now I am a student of the Bible School. I am grateful to God and also to Alexander for the opportunity to study here.

World Relief

AFLC World Missions partners with World Relief to provide relief and the gospel to the needy around the world.  Any gifts can be send directly to the AFLC World Missions office with your regular giving.  Below is a Thanksgiving/Christmas message from World Relief to the AFLC.

“Many people are suffering, and they do not have anyone to care for them…But, there is still hope. And that hope is the church.” – Marcel Serubungo This season, we celebrate what God is doing through His Church. This season we celebrate Peace – personified in Jesus Christ. Join us to support and encourage the Congolese Church as they bring reconciliation and healing to their neighbors, communities, and country. First, please PRAY for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Pray for Peace and Security in the North Kivu and the DRC in general. Pray for the expansion of World Relief’s Peace-Building Program in the whole eastern part of the DRC. Pray for the victims of war who are most vulnerable. Pray for the Local Church in the DRC and Village Peace Committees to have the capacity to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable. Second, please take a Thanksgiving or Christmas offering for our work in the DRC. You can find a video, a bulletin insert, and background information on the situation in the DRC and World Relief’s work there online at www.worldrelief.org/holiday-campaign. Thank you for standing for the vulnerable. Together, we can make a difference! Gratefully, Don Golden

Meet Anna and Eugeniy

Editor’s note:  Here are 2 more students from the Bible School in the Ukraine.

My name is Anna. I am 18. I am from Odessa. I finished school this year. In the congregation I am a teacher of Sunday School, specifically the age group of 6 to 8 years old. I decided to study in the Bible School to improve my knowledge for the teaching of children. Also I want to develop myself and learn how to serve people. My favorite Bible verse is: «But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.» (1 Cor 2:9).

Hi! My name is Eugeniy. I am 27 and I am from Kiev. I started my way with God 7 years ago and then I had no understanding that life could be different, that it could be full and have hope, love and joy. The first church where God led me was the protestant church of evangelical Christians, it was very strong in Bible study and practical Christian life. It was a very good but very difficult time for me. My heart changed every day, God changed my mind and from time to time it was just unbearable. After 4.5 years God led me into Kiev Lutheran youth congregation. I can’t say that it was a right time but God opened the door and showed the way. After some time I became an active member of the youth group and the part of the choir for 1.5 years. The wish to study in the Bible school appeared immediately as soon as I got to know about the Bible school itself. Of course, I had a lot of worries connected with the move to the different city, but now I understand that it was a good choice which I hope will influence my future. From the school I hope that I will become stronger in faith, get new knowledge, and as a result to be able to pass this knowledge to others and to help them to come to God.

Meet Artem and Maria

Editor’s note:  Here are 2 more students studying at the Bible School in the Ukraine:

My name is Artem. I am 30. I came from Kiev. From 2000 till 2004 I was a member of charismatic church “The Rock”, where I was responsible for worship (guitar, singing). From the beginning of 2012 I have been a member of Christian Lutheran Church of Kiev. In the congregation I sing in a choir. I got to know about the opportunity to study in the Bible school a month before it started. I understood immediately that I wanted to go very much. I hope that during my study I would be able to strengthen my relationship with God, to know His holy Word, and to become stronger in Christian faith. Also, I hope that the church will help mw to find my way and serve God.

My name is Maria. I am 23. I came here to study from the Kiev congregation. In my congregation I was singing in the Christian choir. I heard about the opportunity to study in the Bible school during the Christian festival “Gloria Fest 2012”. I liked the idea from the very beginning, as my dream is to serve God in my life. During this year I want to deepen my knowledge about God, get the practical skills to serve people, and the most important, to grow spiritually and to become stronger in faith.  This is still difficult for me to understand what God wants me to do in future, but I know that this year will be very special for me.

Meet Valeriy and Lena

Editor’s note: Here are 2 more students attending the Bible School in the Ukraine.

My name is Valeriy. I came from Cherniahovsk in Kaliningrad region of Russia. In 2007 I was confirmed by pastor Ruslan Semenyukov. I like to have lessons with children. I worked in the Christian camp in our congregation. I like to listen to Word of God and to tell Bible stories to children. I gladly participate in Christian theatre. Today I am very glad that I can study in Bible School.

My name is Lena. I am 17. I am from Odessa. In the Odessa congregation I was a Sunday school teacher in the group of 8-12 year-old children. I have been in church for nine years already and 4.5 of them I have been a Sunday School teacher. Several times I worked as a tutor in the Christian camp “Gloria”. I like to work with children very much; this was one of the reasons why I entered the Bible school. Also I am very interested in studying Bible and spiritual growth. I hope after the Bible school I will be able to answer the difficult questions of children. Maybe I will not know all the answers but the main ones for sure.

Hello…Goodbye!

Change is part of life and in the Miriam Home it has a bigger place than most. That doesn’t always (or often) make it easier to see the children leave after you have gotten to know and love them!

The  last couple of weeks two young ladies, who had been with us longer than is common, rejoined their families. They arrived in very different places in their lives and though they are no longer in the Miriam Home they still need your prayers!

Larissa came to us because of extreme conflict with her mother. She comes from a comparatively stable background. Both her parents have jobs and though they are far from wealthy, they provided every material thing their children needed, but at 17 years old, Larissa was woefully neglected spiritually. She arrived with almost no knowledge of the Lord or the Bible (she knew far more about Greek mythology than  the Bible) and her first visit to the Free Lutheran Church in Lar Parana was her first time in an evangelical church.

Larissa was in the Miriam home for 8 months and experienced quite a journey. To begin with she was really excited to be involved in every service and meeting the church offered, butnot because of a thirst for God, but from a desire to be out of the house. But week by week, friendships formed in the house and the messages shared in services and Bible studies began to impact her heart. In the middle of the year you all held up Larissa as she went through an emotional crises that threatened her future. Besides praying, some of you wrote her and the concern you showed touched her heart in new ways.

Praise the Lord, Larissa invited Jesus into her heart. Though she is a baby in the Lord, she is taking her first steps with the Lord and we are so glad to see her continuing to come to church even after she returned to her family. Her biggest challenge is knowing how to build healthy relationships, both within her family and with friends. She will be 18 in just two months and has already said she is planning on moving out on her own when she is able. She has made bad relationship decisions in the past, (some just a short time ago) and needs the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be safe. Please pray she will open her heart to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The second girl who recently left was Paola, a precious 12 year old, who was also with us for eight months. This young lady came to the Miriam Home because of serious problems in her home. Her mother had made bad decisions but has been working to rectify them. Just recently Paola returned to her mom’s home and we are continuing to follow the family.

For a time Paola lived with her older sister and had been very actively involved in an evangelical church. She came to us with a commitment to the Lord and a good knowledge of the Word of God. In a lot of ways she was a big blessing in the Miriam Home. She felt strongly about faithfulness and doing her best at what ever she was involved in made her a good example, most of the time, for the other children in the house. Her biggest problem is that she has a hard time with forgiveness; that makes her reintegration back in to her family difficult. Please pray that the Lord will soften her heart and that she will understand that the same forgiveness she has received from the Lord needs to be extended to her family.

Of course for every departure there is an arrival, and we have new members of the Miriam Home family. The most recent is Nicolas, an adorable two year old who fills the Miriam Home with his laughter! He is with us because of neglect (his family has chronic problems and his three older siblings have all spent time here).  Please pray we are able to minister into this young life and that God would use us to touch his family.

Editor’s note:  You can find the rest of Jonni’s newsletter here.  Jonni just recently started blogging twice a month for the new WMF blog.  Her first post will be up on Nov. 10th.  Meanwhile…check out the WMF blog!

Meet Katya

Editor’s note:  Here is the 2nd student attending the Bible School in the Ukraine.

My name is Katya. My native city is Odessa. I am 21. This year I graduated from university, in «graphic arts». I am a distant learner. My way to God wasn’t easy. I was born in an atheist family and myself I wasn’t a believer. I only knew that there was some Higher Power. My life was empty: job, home, study. No interests. And then I was invited to the Youth group in Lutheran Church in Odessa. I will never forget that day. It was like someone poured cold water on me and I awakened. Later I became a Sunday School teacher.

I am glad that I have come to church. I am glad that Jesus has come to my life and He never leaves me alone. I have been only 1.5 years in church. But it changed my life. I found many friends, and in church I met my husband. Almost for a year I worked with children from difficult families in the children's center in Novogradovka. I heard about the Bible school from Pastor Alexander Gross. I decided that it is a wonderful opportunity to become closer to God, so I signed up. I want to know more about Jesus. After, I want to devote my life to children and youth. I want to devote my life to God.

Greetings From Ukraine!

As we move on to another month of ministry, we are thankful for God's continued presence and grace that he abundantly gives to us each day. This past month has been filled with many wonderful things. My (Andy's) parents came to visit for almost two weeks. Throughout this time, my teaching schedule was full, but our crew joined me at the Youth Center a few times. It was a great time spent doing many things and simply just hanging out together. Our kids were pretty sad to see them leave.

Our family also enjoyed traveling to Antalya, Turkey for a EEMN missionary retreat. This was a refreshing time spent with friends and other missionaries. After our return, we have had staff planning meetings, the church body's synod gathering, and a new women's ministry Bible study hosted at our home. Pastor Bill and Sally Moberly are with us now, and we are glad for time with them here as he teaches.

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

Editor’s note:  You can read the entire newsletter  here.  Over the next few days, we will be introducing you to the new students at the Bible College in the Ukraine.  Here is the first student:

My name is Dima. I was born in Belarus in the city of Vitebsk. I am 22. I have been in church for 2 years. I came to church due to our pastor Valeriy Grigorik. In church my worldview changed. I am responsible for the youth work in our congregation and I try to help our pastor as much as I can. I want to become closer to God during my studies, to strengthen my faith, and know more about Bible. I am interested in communicating with new people.