Jono Miller

HOUSE WIFE FOR RENT

A while ago I watched the movie Julie and Julia. I’ve discovered how therapeutic cooking can be. On the odd occasion that I don’t eat up the road at Ruth and Jon’s, I’ve enjoyed trying to cook with a bit of creativity. Last week I decided to make bread. It came out perfectly. Nice fresh homemade bread – it rose so high it nearly hit the top of the oven. So today I tried again. Igor and I ate a slice of the rocks I produced. What went wrong? I don’t know. I used the same recipe, same ingredients. I tried to copy exactly the same methods as last time – but this time it all went pear shaped.

Life happens this way sometimes too. Sometimes it seems that we are totally in control and sometimes it doesn’t matter what we do – everything seems to turn out wrong. Problems and obstacles are actually a blessing from God. If I could do everything myself – then my results and successes would only be as good as me. If I am totally out of my depth, then I must rely on God – and the results and successes are as He determines – and the sky is the limit.

I think tomorrow I’ll bake a cake.

UTSIM

It’s hard to believe that we are less than three months away from completing our second year. Praise God. We have 79 students at last count. That is 79 bridges of opportunity to share the love of Jesus through our lives.

Our new replacement teacher, Zhenya, has fitted in like a glove and I am thankful to the way that God works things out. Sveta has made it back to NZ for a second year of music study and Simbo and Asia have had a baby girl all safe and sound and praising God.

This weekend we started a new initiative in Kaharlyk with an English club for kids. Micah and Christy and Josie from Arizona are leading this. I went along this week and it was great. Pray for the town of Kaharlyk and the opportunities there.

As the end of the school year draws closer we realise that the need to find a permanent home for UTSIM in Rzhyshchiv is becoming more and more pressing. Please pray for us to trust God but keep our eyes and ears open and to search diligently.

Thanks for praying for our students. Please continue to do this. Although our medium is English – we teach who we are. Teachers touch lives forever. Sometimes we have discipline issues or kids that are hard to motivate. Please pray as we work hard to manage a variety of situations that come our way daily.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS

WHEELS WORKING AGAIN!

Last week we had a couple of days of sunshine and plus 5 degrees. This gave me enough clean road to get my van off my hill and I now have it parked down at school. I got stuck in the ruts on the steep part of the hill and slowly slid down the hill with my front wheels on full lock – 90 degrees against the way I was going. We have now dropped down to temperatures below zero again and yesterday it snowed nearly all day so we have a nice thick covering of snow everywhere again. I’m still walking to work and trying not to slip over.

RPDs or MONTHLYs

I write every week. Once a month it’s a couple of pages (Monthly Update) and all the other weeks are RPDs (Read Pray Delete). I’m sorry if you received two in a row this month. If you want to change what you receive from me or update your email address, please let me know. I will not be offended if you no longer wish to receive correspondence. To all who pray and are interested in what God is doing here – I give you my appreciation.

WOMEN’S DAY

The 8^th of March is International Women’s Day. That might not be a big deal Down Under, but here in Ukraine it is a public holiday. So thanks girls. I’m going to enjoy a four day week. Here in Ukraine it is expected that guys should give flowers and/or chocolates to the girls they know. I think that we should have an attitude that treats girls with utmost respect all year round. Our church is holding a special outreach for women this coming Saturday. They will have an International Cafe – and all the boys are coming along as waiters. Please pray for the women and girls of Rzhyshchiv who have been invited.

MERCY, GRACE, PATIENCE

In April I’ll be preaching at church about the mercy, grace and patience of God. Wow – what an awesome topic and yet so much to consider in one short sermon. I’m looking forward to directing my thoughts towards these topics over the next few weeks. If you have a favourite verse or passage you wish to share with me – I would welcome that.

Please continue to pray for V who has continued to come along to church and seems to be considering following Jesus and yet wavering on the brink of commitment.

WHAT YA READIN’?

Thank you Mr Tolkien. I have finished the fellowship of the ring and our now separated companies are adventuring through Middle Earth in the tale of The Two Towers.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

Growth of UTSIM

The van is on the road again

Praise God for girls/women J

Preaching at church

Pray for V – to follow Jesus

THANKS

To my brother Tim for giving me remote assistance on my computer. Amazing!!

Love Jono

Keep Looking Up

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