Jono Miller

SO THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE SHOEBOXES!

Today I got up early (for a Saturday) and with my chains on, skidded up the hill and picked up a conglomeration of kids and adults for a trip to Kargalik. Here they were treated to a Christmas puppet show (a little out of season), juice and cake, some kid’s songs, and each child was presented with a Samaritan’s Purse shoebox. Many of the kids came from orphanages or poorer families from around the district. The looks of joy on their faces as they opened their shoe boxes and discovered the goodies was a treat. The team in Kargalik did an excellent job. You can read Danny Foote's rendition. He did a good job of training the puppeteers. On the way home, Pris said to me, “Jono, there are 18 people in your van!” Must be close to a record.

I’ve been thinking about generosity. What makes someone generous? Am I generous or is it just relative? Are you generous? Being known as a generous person would be a great reputation to have. I would rather err on the side of being too generous than be considered stingy. James talks about how God lavishes good gifts upon us. He is a generous God. May I be like Him.

UTSIM

This week has been a full and busy week. We have had new students join and some students deciding to stop because of the ‘economic crisis’.

We had a great time of prayer and dedication on Wednesday morning with the elders from church and all the staff and volunteers present. I took three encouraging and challenging statements from this time.

• Serve the Lord with gladness
• You teach who you are
• Shine like bright lights

I finally have all the necessary stamps in my passport. I am registered here. I can come and go as I please. Everything is totally legal. Wow! And it all runs out on October 29 and I get to do it all again. At least we will get quicker at it.

Please pray for Kent and Dan from NZ and Australia. They are sending visa applications this week to Canberra and hope to be here very soon to teach. Pray that we will have the wisdom to expand in the places where God wants us.

BITS AND PIECES

Tonight I am hosting a talk show (Oprah style) on the topic, “The journey from singleness to marriage”. I only have to ask the questions not answer them. I’ll give you some details next week on how it goes. I want to bring a challenge to all of us about the journey we all need to make from living life independent from God, to living life in perfect harmony with Him.

Tomorrow is officially the start of spring. The ground seems to have a small idea about this as the snow is starting to melt. It’s about plus 3 outside and the sun is out. We now have to deal with loads and loads of water and mud everywhere as the snow and ice recedes.

My little Aussie sister, Jemimah, broke her finger in a really bad way and has had to have surgery to correct it. Pray that she would regain full usage of it. She has a great attitude and realises that God uses any and every situation to teach us valuable lessons.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

Kent and Dan

Freshness and vigour in English lessons

Spring

Kids who received shoeboxes and a message of hope

Jemimah’s finger

THANKS TO

Anyone who smiles at me on the days when I need it the most!

Love Jono

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