Jono Miller

A REAL WINTER

My flat mate (house mate) Igor commented that he was very happy to have a real winter. That means lots of snow and lots of cold temperatures. When I asked him why, he said it felt right to have a cold winter, not a mild one. Weak answer!

Highlights of this ‘real winter’ include:

• Frozen pipes – mine and many of my friends
• Buying more thermal underwear – I now own a pair of ‘stockings for men without socks’
• My van hasn’t gone anywhere in well over a month
• Taking about 15 minutes to get ready to go anywhere
• An electric blanket
• Falling over crossing the road – in front of lots of people
• Cold fingers, cold nose
• Walking on ice to an island in the river

Sometimes we like to imagine that something is better than it really is. We talk ourselves into believing that things ought to be a certain way without any real solid reasons. When Jesus walked this earth there was a religion well entrenched in their way of doing things, but they had convinced themselves they were right and missed what was real. Jesus made the amazing claim – that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Winter or summer, good or bad politics, northern or southern hemisphere, rugby or football, my music or your music – these things are not important. I want to have my life focused around the life and teachings and sacrifice and example of Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God.

UTSIM

There’s always something happening here. Before I tell you about it, I want to say thank you to God. I have realised more and more recently that He leads anything that is worth doing and He leads where and He knows best. Thank you also to those of you who regularly pray. I can say that although I am as busy as ever, I have a peace and joy knowing that God wants me here doing this right now.

We are able to stay in Gaven’s house until the end of May but then have a huge hurdle to cross of finding a suitable alternative for the next school year. Classes have continued well in Rzhyshchiv and even just last week a new student joined one of the classes.

We have had a greater consolidation as a staff and are working well and gelling well together. However we have more changes coming up. Sveta is looking to return to NZ and we have a possible replacement coming this week to check out UTSIM – again please pray.

We have also had to have a serious look at the branch in Kaharlyk as the anticipated growth has not occurred. Last week I met with the head of education there. He is young, friendly and was very interested in us and seems to want to work with us. The directors of two schools welcomed us with open arms to advertise to their students. A third school however had a very stand-offish approach and I would ask you to pray that he is not instrumental in spreading negative vibes. He is a former head of education and has a bit of weight to throw around.

I will return to Kaharlyk this coming week – it will be a flat out week. Please pray for strength and energy.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS

A SLIGHTLY BIGGER PICTURE

I thought I might take a few sentences for a very brief outline of why are there so many foreigners in the small town of Rzhyshchiv. About 7-8 years ago the Clarke and Gollan families moved to Rzhyshchiv with the aim of living here and bringing a spiritual and moral influence to a town that has a very high student population. The Clarke’s have since moved back to Australia but the Gollans are still here and also living here are: Cheryl Lyons from Canada, Gaven Ollington from Tasmania, Jon and Ruth Pirini from NZ, Tom and Lena from USA/Ukraine, Sergei and Tanya from Ukraine/Australia, The Crowe Family from USA, another two families are looking to come soon as well as a few who have come and gone for short periods.

Why??!! I won’t pretend to give a definitive answer here today, but we all believe that we are not here by accident. God has lead in various ways in our lives for us to be here. Pray that the presence of the Holy Spirit in this town will leave an effect that will change the world for good and bring glory to God.

MY MATE MAX

Max lived with me for a few months in 2008. He has come to visit Rzh a few times since and now has made it to Hungary to attend Bible College. He is really excited and sees it as a huge miracle from God that he is there. Pray that this would be a great time in his life.

TECHNOLOGY

I have my laptop back and Jon is helping me put together a desktop computer so that I can have something permanently at home which I am not lugging around all over the place. I have got a long way behind in answering some emails – so I apologise for that.

WHAT YA READIN’?

I can’t believe why I never read these books before, but I have eventually decided to get to know Mr JRR Tolkien. I’ve finished The Hobbit and am now winding my way along the Withywindle in The Fellowship of the Ring. Inspiring writing and thoroughly enjoyable. Not to mention that I imagine every scene to be somewhere in NZ! 5/5

PRAYER AND PRAISE

NZ visa for Sveta

UTSIM in Kaharlyk

New teacher for UTSIM

God’s people in Rzhyshchiv

Max at Bible College

THANKS

To Jon for giving me amazing tech support – as always

Love Jono

Keep Looking Up

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