Jono Miller

RPD 26th April 2010 Weekly Newsletter

Mon, 26/04/2010 - 16:15 |

POPULARITY STAKES

This week whilst reading an article about ANZAC Day I came across this quote from Desmond Tutu: “I too suffer from wanting people to like me.”

I do not think it is a bad thing if people like you. People liked Jesus (check out Luke 2:52 as well as all the obvious stories). But I can easily find myself in trouble when the focus of my decisions, words and actions is to find favour with those around me; when I am motivated towards a certain course of action because I feel it will make me more popular.

It seems to be the natural inclination of mankind. We desire and crave acceptance, love, accolades, status, etc. I’m brought back down to earth again by the words of Paul in Philippians 2:6-7, “Jesus, like God in every way, did not use that status to His advantage, but gave it up and become nothing. He became a man, a servant.” (paraphrased)

UTSIM

We are turning the bend into the home straight for the year. Yesterday I went to our final Saturday English kids club in Karharlyk for this year. Micah and Christy did a great job of running this with help from Josie Sprague – thanks guys. Over the 8 weeks we had 14 kids (including theirs) attend. I finished it up by reading one of my favourite books – The Monster At The End Of This Book.

May is a crazy time in Ukraine with public holidays. We have 3 Mondays and a Tuesday with no work this coming month. Please continue to pray for us as we plan lessons and interact with students who are champing at the bit to be on holidays.

The conversational class that Tom, Gav and Masha are running on Tuesday nights is going well. They alternate from a speaking topic to a film each Tuesday. The films are better attended – but bridges are being built. 9 students have signed up to come to Passion Conference.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS

ANZAC DAY

As I write this it is just after lunch on ANZAC Day. Obviously this is not a special day for Ukrainians. We had church as usual this morning and Jon shared about the goodness of God. Because I believe God is good – I can trust Him in everything.

War is a horrible thing. I hope many people observe ANZAC Day for the reason of keeping afresh the horrors of war and making a resolution to strive with all their power to keep from going to war and to speak against those who would.

This afternoon Jon, Gav, Wayne and I will roll the arm over with a few cricket balls and we’ll have a roast dinner at Gav’s this evening. Keeping the ANZAC spirit alive. Lest we forget.

SPECIAL NEEDS

We had our monthly afternoon for children with special needs on Saturday. As the weather warms up the attendance is better. Jeff had a great time talking to the kids and really going eyeball to eyeball with one little girl as she was telling him what he really needed to know about the colour of her eyes. It was quite special but you had to be there. Jeff even spoke in Ukrainian and I was quite proud of him. Next month we are taking them to Kyiv to the Zoo and to MacDonalds. It is a wonderful thing to be able to help and love kids who have a difficult life.

SPRING

The world around us is just beautiful. Trees everywhere are in full blossom and signs of new life are evident every day. The views from the hill over the river on clear days are just breathtaking. For me Spring is a wonderful vibrant reminder of the Goodness of God.

PRAYER AND PRAISE