Jono Miller

168 HOURS

Every week contains 168 hours. That sounds like a lot – but believe me they can go quite quickly. What did you do with the last 168 hours? Do you ever look back and evaluate time? Are you happy or disappointed with yourself? Maybe a mixture of feelings. I know that the last 168 hours for me went by quickly. This entire year seems to have almost slipped away. Last week I loved others and at times I didn’t love others. I was selfish and I was generous. I acted in a godly way and I sinned and acted wrongly. I had times of joy and happiness and I was disappointed and frustrated. I was full of energy and I was tired. I spoke wise and good words and I said some dumb stupid things.

A week can contain so many different things in my life. I am so changeable. It is so comforting to know that God did not change like I did. He was the same for all of last week and will be again this coming week. To have faith in Him is comforting and sustaining.

UTSIM

QUARANTINE!! The school where I work is officially shut for three weeks because of a quarantine pronounced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine due to a supposed outbreak of swine flu. Many people are walking around wearing masks. Others laugh at it and presume it to be politically motivated in the lead up to presidential elections in January.

It has caused us to cancel all group lessons for three weeks. For students studying one on one we have given the option of either me coming to their place or them coming to my place and a number of them are still having lessons which means we haven’t totally stopped. I’m even able to offer extra time to one student who wants it. This week I actually have twenty hours of teaching – and lots of driving around.

I was also able last week to get over to Kaharlyk where our new office is and see how things are going and talk to a potential teacher of kindergarten age students.

I also interviewed another potential teacher. Simeon and Asia who work as volunteer teachers will be away for almost 4 months for the birth of their first baby and I am in need of a replacement. Please pray about this. I have also had an expression of interest from a total stranger – again please pray as the hiring of teachers is a very important decision.

Pray for the students I am teaching during these three weeks. Being in their or my home often makes the lesson feel less formal and may lead to chances to chat about various life issues. May God lead and use this changeable instrument (me) for His glory only.

BITS AND PIECES

Gaven organised squash for Dan, Jon, Gav and me for Dan’s birthday. The practice I have been having paid off. Boasting is never nice – but I do love winning any game of sport I play.

The second windows have been put in and my house is warm and cosy. I hope to get a bit of spare time during quarantine to rake up all the leaves around the place. Autumn is already nearly over and the grey bleak days are starting to impose themselves.

Where ever you are in the world reading this, find something joyful about this day – and thank God for it. And then remember to smile at someone – and if they ask you why you are smiling, tell them about the joyful part of your day.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

The little bits of joy in every day

UTSIM students

New teachers for UTSIM

Simeon, Asia and their new baby due in March

THANKS TO

Wayne for building the first ever indoor cricket centre in Ukraine. Saturday morning was good fun.

Love Jono

Keep Looking Up

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