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

Kvale Connection Prayer Letter - June 2014

Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).
Since our visit to the Wycliffe headquarters in December to touch base with the team, the project on the new Wycliffe USA website has launched as of this week! This change is one we hope will render effective matching of willing servants of the Lord from many places to positions needing serving in to further the efforts of Bible Translation to all peoples.

  To read the entire newsletter, click here. 

Update on flood

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement.  Thankfully, we didn't get any water in the house and the church fared pretty well.   No damage.  Most people in the neighborhood of the church had water in their homes but most escaped any major losses.  However, there are 3 families of children in our Tuesday Kids' Club that lost many things including clothes, beds and refrigerators.  Their homes are lower-lying and one of the mom's said the water in their street was waist-deep.  She also had a couple small snakes that she found in the house afterward as well.  Please pray for these families and for God to open doors for His Word in their hearts and to the ministry of our church as well.

Thanks so much!

Todd and Barb Schierkolk

Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico

New Mission Social Media Editor

AFLC World Missions has a new editor of our social media, Facebook and blog.  We say thanks to Matthew Pillman who volunteered as editor during this last semester of AFLBS.

Our new editor is Carol Knapp.  Carol lives in Willmar, MN with her family George and Helen Knapp.  Carol was born in Maringa, Brazil and has had a long term personal involvement and interest in AFLC World Missions. 

Thank you Carol for being willing to serve the Lord in this way!

Baby Levi

Introducing... Levi Michael Coyle.
Our sweet baby boy arrived this past Wednesday, June 18 at 7:14 a.m. He weighed 7# 3 oz. (3260g), and measured 19.25 in. (48.9 cm). We are so incredibly grateful for how God answered so many prayers. Praising God for this precious gift!

Andy, Monica, Moriah, Isaiah, Josiah and Levi

www.amcoylefamily.blogspot.com

Flooding in Jerez

Lots of rain last night (Twin Cities will sympathize) that resulted in a dam breaking just a few miles away from our side of town.  Last time this happened many people close to the site lost everything.  The attached picture is from the street behind our house.  People in the neighborhood of our church are battling with water either coming in through the door or up through the drains.  Praying that God will use this to draw people to Himself.  Haven't been able to get out to the church building yet.

In Christ,

Todd, Barb and Kirstie Schierkolk

Never heard this one before . . .

We were delighted last week to see this little group of 3 kidlets come around the corner to the new location of our Kid's Club at our church building in their neighborhood.  It was a couple extra blocks to walk for them and little Danny is prone to bolt out into the street without looking so we weren't sure they would be able to come.  But they did.  And they had some interesting news for us!  We've heard lots of different types of criticism of us, our church and what we believe; a couple examples . . . we don't believe in the Virgin, we don't believe in the saints or we don't believe in the pope.  But the oldest of these 3 kids told us that someone said that we don't believe in God!  Yup.  That's what they were told.  So, of course we were happy to see that they didn't believe what was said about us.  They've been coming to the club for over a year now and we're very grateful for the privilege and opportunity to continue to teach them about the God we very much believe in and the wonders of His love.

A couple quick prayer requests:

For Rachel as she is counseling with Teen Camps at her college.

For Megan as she travels with the South Barnabas summer team helping Home Mission congregations with their VBS's.

And for us as we get ready for our own VBS here in Jerez next month.

New Church–Schierkolks

We're in a new church building now!  So grateful for the opportunity to rent this house and meet for worship here.  It had been available a year ago but someone beat us to it.  Then it became available again and ​we made the switch in March.  We were also just able to move our Kid's club to the new church as well.  God's timing is really wonderful because just after we rented the new building, the owners of the house with the garage that we had been meeting at with the kids on Tuesdays moved into it!   Most of the kids have made the transition but a number of the little kids still haven't yet.  Hoping that we can see some kind of arrangements made for them to come as well.

​Thanks so much again for your prayers for us and this ministry.  We could not be here without you.  And for those of you who have been able and led by the Spirit of God to help us financially . . . thank you for your generosity.  We're grateful to all of you for your partnership with us in this ministry in whatever way that manifests itself.

In Christ,

Todd and Barb Schierkolk

​Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico​

Amanda Bellefy - Ecuador

As I'm writing this, I'm outside watching the biggest and prettiest hummingbird I've ever seen fly in front of me.  The school year is coming to an end here at the Bible school.  The students are taking finals this week and they graduate on June 14th.  Next week I will be going with them to Cuenca as they will have a week of practicals before they graduate. 

After they graduate, I will be moving to Cuenca for the summer and house sitting the Pillman's house as they are in the states until August.  I was in charge for most of May as the administrator was in the states, and praise God nothing too major happened and I think it went well.  I taught her literature class and a class on the book of Ruth during that time, which really helped my Spanish. 

I got a 6 month tourist visa, so I have until November to get my missionary visa.  I have all the papers that I need except one-the church's registration papers.  The place that has the registration papers is currently without a manager, and so I am waiting for them to get a manager so that they can sign the paper.  It sounds like such a simple thing, but I have been waiting for this paper for 2 months already, so please pray for this. 

Yesterday we had a fun adventure chasing our chickens-I have decided I never want chickens (unless I can watch the entertainment from a distance).  I have been working on a play based on the book of Hosea and the book Redeeming Love.  I just finished it and it will be performed by the students in August, I am told.  This summer I will be working in Cuenca, and Rachel (the administrator) and I are organizing a Kids' Camp for the month of July.  I will be working on making the Bible lessons for the teachers this coming week.  Thank you for all of your support and prayers.

Prayer Requests:

1. For the students as they graduate, that they would continue to grow in their faith after leaving Bible school (Pocho, Kevin, Taty, Johanna, & Raquel)

2. For future students in the fall

3. For my missionary visa

4. For the summer Kids' Camp

In Christ,
Amanda Bellefy