March 2007 Monthly Update

Generosity
Paul said to Timothy, “Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)I’ve been recently thinking about money and stewardship. I’ve already posted one series of thoughts and questions on the website. The exact ‘how to’ of Christian stewardship is interesting for me, as many Christians have conflicting ideas. But something that God has clearly shown me is that it is never bad stewardship to be generous. Generosity is a characteristic of God. He generously gives mercy from judgement and grace to save us. He generously gave us Jesus to accomplish this salvation. He generously gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live according to His will. He generously gives His children good gifts. The scriptures are full of verses telling us that God loves the poor and needy, and commands us to care for them.

I’ve just spent time in London where I was able to earn money. It felt good to earn money. But I had to quickly adjust my thinking in regards to this money. It is no different to the money that is given to me as a gift. It all comes from God’s provision and should be used for Him. And one of the ways I can wisely be a steward is to be ‘rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share’.

Rural Ukraine Foreign Language Services
Vision:
To bring glory to God using the avenue of language teaching, focusing on small towns and rural Ukraine.
Goals:
1. To register an organisation that allows us to:
• Teach foreign languages
• Pay workers
• Receive money for services
• Receive money as gifts from within Ukraine and overseas
• Live in Ukraine as foreigners
• Bring foreign visitors to Ukraine
• Rent premises
• Operate totally legally and transparently
2. To open a language centre in Rzhyshchiv.
• Find a place to rent
• Advertise for students
• Prepare lesson materials
• Ascertain appropriate fee structure
• Start teaching classes
3. To teach English one or two days a week in one (or both) of Rzhyshchiv’s local schools
• Speak to English teachers
• Speak to school Principals (Heads)

This is my next project. I believe this is the road on which God is leading me here in Ukraine. The next few weeks will be a big lesson in relying on God to open and close the doors as He sees fit. Please pray for this venture. Please pray that I will be a tool used by God to build His kingdom, and not just a little man trying to build his own kingdom.

The next few weeks will be dedicated to the above 3 goals. I have hired a translator for 3 weeks. Olya from Poltava will be coming to Rzhyshchiv and working with me each day as I will be meeting with people here in Rzhyshchiv and in Kyiv to accomplish these tasks. Please pray for Olya. She was at our camp last summer but has decided for some reason to give up following God. She will be staying with Dan and Pris for the first week. Pray that she will not only come here to translate, but to rediscover her first love in Jesus.
This also means that I am not continuing my formal language lessons in Kyiv. This will save me time and money. I will continue to practice my Ukrainian and work on my vocabulary on my own.

Travel
Gaven and I left England Monday morning, had a few days in Krakow and arrived back in Rzhyshchiv late on Thursday night. It felt good to be home, and it definitely felt that this is home right now.

The snow has basically all melted, and although it is colder here than in London, I have basically missed out on a cold winter this year, and I’m not really complaining. Right now as ice and snow continues to melt, it is very muddy everywhere.

Rzhyshchiv People and Happenings
It was good to get back to Friday night football. I had done basically no sport in London so it was a good work out – I was sure breathing hard after a few minutes of running around.

Up at Dan’s later on Friday night were a number of new guys from one of the Technicum schools. They are friends of Igor’s and came along with him. Pray for Igor as he endeavours to shine for God at the Technicum. I didn’t really get to know many of the boys, but hope I will over time. There has also been a new lady with 3 small kids coming along on Sunday nights. I think at this stage she is still seeking God. Pray for Tanya.

Tashi and Losha (Natasha and Alyosha)
You may remember them getting married last August. It’s been great watching them grow together as husband and wife. They are working to make their house a home, and have made it open to young people to come and visit. They are also expecting their first child this coming summer (I think July). Please pray for them and for their new baby. Pray for them as they learn about becoming parents. Pray for them as they have a desire to see God’s kingdom expand here in Rzhyshchiv. They are good friends of mine, and some of the first I went to visit when I got back from England.

What Ya Readin'?
I finished reading “Among School Children” by Tracy Kidder. It should be a must for all teachers and wanna-be teachers. Although it is just one teacher’s story, I think I learned more from it than many of my University text books. 4/5

I also read “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn. I think I’ll give it a 5/5. It was a great challenging book opening my eyes to China. It helped in my thoughts about stewardship and generosity. It challenges in the area of perspective and makes you ask the question, ‘what are you living for?’

Prayer and Praise

• A great time in England, Ireland and Poland
• Rural Ukraine Foreign Language Services
• Igor
• Olya
• Tashi and Losha
• Tanya and her kids

Thanks
Sergei for picking up Gaven and me in Kyiv – coming home with all our stuff on public transport was not a pleasant thought.

Love Jono
Keep Looking Up

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