Jono Miller

HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?
I had trouble sleeping last night. This is a very rare occurrence for me. Many thoughts were swirling around in my head; obstacles and difficulties loomed before me as insurmountable. Suddenly an image of an elephant came into my mind along with the question “How do you eat an elephant?” I remember Colin Lees teaching this to a grade 5 class at Pacific Hills. The answer being, “One mouthful at a time.”
When I can’t see the way out of the maze, the light at the end of the tunnel or the solution to my problem; then in faith I must take one step at a time holding the hand of Jesus. Oh Jesus will never let me go – may I never let go of Him.

UTSIM
If September was crazy – October just flew by. We now have 22 students, and at the beginning level have had to turn students away. I would dearly like to be able to start more classes in the New Year. This will require two things, extra rooms and extra teachers.
A place to rent. Please continue to pray about a place to rent. Every week it seems that I am learning something new, and often feel very inadequate for the job in front of me. Until recently I thought that the best option would be to rent an apartment in the main five-story apartment block in the centre of town. I have since been told that this would probably be a hindrance to a number of families. The old soviet mentality is wary of anything that could look secretive. An office that is open for all to see is a much better option.
Good news! I received notice of my work permit for Ukraine and will receive the document on November 5. Thank you to all who prayed. I believe there are still some more steps to be taken regarding registration and eventually I hope to get permanent residency status.
The last week of October was a school break so we also had a break from classes. I now have just 7 weeks of teaching left before I head to NZ for a family reunion. This will culminate with an end of year celebration and prize giving to which the parents will be invited. Please pray for a positive evening of interaction with the parents.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS

HUNGARY
My sister Ruth and her husband Jon are also teachers here in Ukraine – so the last week of October was a holiday for all of us. They needed to leave Ukraine for Visa purposes so together we decided to pick a new country, and we headed to Budapest Hungary. We enjoyed wandering the cities of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube River. I caught up with Bruce Marlin from Sydney – the world is a small place. We then hired a car and cruised west to the Balaton region and spent 3 nights near the lake there. I enjoyed the thermal pools that even had a smell to remind me of Rotorua. It was also good to catch up with Bogdan from Ukraine who is studying at a Bible College there. The Bible College is in an old Castle that has been wonderfully preserved. The three of us all agreed that we had a good relaxing week – though the 27 hour train ride back home was something we were glad to finish.
I learned a very little of Hungarian history – a fascinating country – land locked in Europe and different to all the other countries around it. Learning any Hungarian at all was a challenge that even Jon struggled with. I managed ‘thank you’ and that was about it.

TRUCK
Today was a blessing. I met George, Irina and George Jnr and travelled through the forest to the where they meet for church. I met Irina 4 years ago and this year her husband became a Christian. I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with them and the conversation I could have with Irina. Pray for her as she searches to know the truth.

I made my Ukrainian TV debut by being a crazy fan for the Ukrainian version of “So You Think You Can Dance!” One of my friends was a finalist and we had a good loud and boisterous following for her. I even made the evening news with my comments about the show. What does it count for? Nothing really . . .

WHAT YA READIN’?
“Everything is Illuminated” by Jonathan Safran Foer. This book I read after watching the movie of the same title. Based in Ukraine – I found the movie rather entertaining. Reading the book was a letdown. Bizarre and not worth your time. 1/5
In Hungary I picked up “God in the Wagon” by Ferenc Sánta. The first chapter was very absorbing – written about hard times in Hungary after the war.

PRAYER AND PRAISE
Premises to rent
Praise God for the work permit
My students
Irina and George
End of year celebration

THANKS
To Ruth and Jon for a really enjoyable holiday away together.

Love Jono
Keep Looking Up

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