May Monthly Update 2007

Water Crisis
Australia is in drought. Water levels are at all time lows. High restrictions are in place (a good excuse not to wash the car). For some it’s a political problem, for some it’s a spiritual problem. For others it’s an environmental problem. But the fact remains, we need water to live here on earth.

I have just returned home after a week away to find that I have no water. To be more correct – I have water in the well but the pump is not getting it to my house. Another job for me in a crazy busy week.

I think about the drought in Australia. The amount of water on planet earth has not diminished. Just its availability to us has. The amount of water in my well is the same – but I cannot access it.

God’s grace is sufficient for us. But how often do we access His grace? Are we keeping all the pipelines open and clean and flowing with His grace and goodness? Or do we turn off the tap by not reading God’s Word and ignoring the Holy Spirit? Or do we allow material things to block the pipes, or sin in our lives to corrode them?

I don’t even need water – if I have God. He is all I need!

Interruptions
As I was typing this letter my neighbour came over and reminded me that I had promised to help her grandson move. He and his wife and daughter are moving back into the family home next door. She said I’d better go now cause his stuff is outside and it’s about to rain. When I finished helping them a couple more guys came over to borrow some volleyball gear and have a cup of tea. Life is full of interruptions or should I call them opportunities? It depends on my perspective. I recently read from Philip Yancey about Paul Brand that “love can only be applied person-to-person”. In fact a human interruption is an opportunity from God to bless and be blessed. Jesus encountered them all the time. Pray that when they come – instead of looking at my list of things to do today, I should ask God what his list of things is for me to do today.

Rural Ukraine Foreign Language Service
The registration process is still in the pipeline. I have made progress and am awaiting some translation services to be completed.

The exciting news is the students. I now have four classes a week. This is keeping me on my toes in preparation. I am still looking to find some really helpful resources. I have just a few. I plan on attending some ESL courses when I am back in Australia next year.

Poland - Part of Europe
I have just returned from a week away, travelling to Krakow, Poland and back. This time I took a bunch of 6 Ukrainians and one fellow Kiwi. We visited Auschwitz among the many other things we did while we were away. Talking together near the end of the trip, they were all saying how much nicer Polish people were – they are not so rude, the place is cleaner. It was a great chance for people to see outside their own boundaries and be challenged and motivated. I shared with them the quote about love being applied person to person. The challenge is to find one person with whom you rub shoulders often – and go out of your way to love them. This is a challenge to you too.

Rzhyshchiv People and Happenings
Thanks for praying for Gaven. Please continue to pray for him and his family. Right now he is busy working hard on his Dad’s 11 farms. His brother Travis will probably take over the family farms and Gav will return here maybe near the end of July.

Jon and Ruth will also be coming back here at the end of July. They have teaching jobs in Kyiv starting in September. It will be great to have them around again.

It’s been good to have Igor back in town after a long time away with Practicum for his studies. He is always an enthusiastic participator in anything that is going on. He also rubs shoulders with so many boys in the local technicum. Please pray for him as he seeks to live as a witness for Jesus. Igor graduates this summer and shortly after is required to commence his military service. He is planning on doing alternative service for those who object on religious grounds.

May 9
Australia and New Zealand recently celebrated ANZAC Day. Here May 9th is a memorial day for the Second World War which ravaged this land and its inhabitants. I have been reminded of the horribleness of war. And for us in NZ and Oz – our men went to the war. But here in Ukraine – the war came to them. There is not a family who was not touched by it. I hope the young people of this world will never forget what a horrible thing war is. I believe these memorials are an important part of education. I’ll be taking a van load out to the large memorial site near our town in the morning and then having a BBQ at my place in the afternoon.

It is also Spring in full bloom. The country side is so green and the trees are full of blossoms. What a privilege to live in the countryside and not the city.

What Ya Readin'?
I read “The Day I Died” by Steve Sjogren. The story of a man who learned to slow down his life for much greater results after an operation that went dreadfully wrong. A good challenge about some of the basic things in life. 3/5

I seem to have started a number of books and then keep changing. But I am currently thoroughly enjoying Philip Yancey’s “Soul Survivor”. Apart from what I am learning from many great men of whom Yancey speaks, my list of what I want to read is growing – and I already have many unread books. – I think I must schedule a time for reading.

Prayer and Praise

• Water – for my house – for Australia
• English students
• Igor
• Gaven
• Interruptions/Opportunities

Thanks

• Altu for driving to Kyiv to pick us up after our late return from Poland.

Love Jono
Keep Looking Up

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