Jono Miller

Monthly Newsletter May 2010

Mon, 03/05/2010 - 16:20 |

STOP TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

I’ve got nothing to write. No great quotes, no special illustrations from life. It’s late and I’ve been sitting in front of the computer wondering what is special that I can share. The only thing I can think of is spring. Spring is pretty special here in Ukraine. After a long harsh winter – the waking up and coming to life of so many trees and flowers is special. But I thought that was a bit boring to share with you. Then I realised – it is only boring because we have made it boring. We live fast-paced, modern technological lives. We update our Facebook statuses, we listen to our iPods or play doodle jump on our iPhones . We forget to look at the grass, the flowers, the trees, the bugs, the bees, the river, the clouds etc. Spring is beautiful. On Friday night the trees on my street were so laden with white blossoms that in the headlights of my van I almost thought it was winter and the snow had returned. I hope I don’t get so busy or so distracted that I forget to enjoy the miracle of spring that God has given to us.

UTSIM

Ukraine has 10 public holidays a year – and four of them are in May! So this month is not only hectic with accomplishing many end-of-year tasks (like reports, tests and end of year concerts) but fitting it into short working weeks.

Please pray that we finish strong for the year. A few students have dwindled off in their attendance, desire, progress or mixture of all three.

Please pray as we make a decision about where to be next year. Pray for those who will continue to study with us – we have made really good long term contacts with some students.

Please pray for our end of year concert. It is coming upon us really quickly and there is much to do. I have some of my students enthusiastically practicing “The Animals March Two by Two” and “Chicken Little”.

I also have the opportunity to attend the GO Equipped TENTmaking course in Bergen, Norway from May 12-16. My wonderful staff are going to work hard to cover my lessons. The line-up of topics looks really good and I’m really looking forward to talking to others who are using business as a means of ‘doing missions’.

Also please praise God with us as we celebrate the birth of Natasha and Alyosha’s second child, Denis born 30^th April. Natasha has been understandably a little absent from work recently. There are so many things I still rely on her for and I have had a few phone calls to her in hospital. Please pray for God’s blessing on their whole family. Thank God also for the return of Simeon and Asia and their little girl, Amelia. I will meet with Simeon this week to talk about his involvement again with UTSIM – but it’s good to have them back again.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS

ASKING FOR MONEY

I don’t do this very often so I’ll be up front. I want hard cold cash. Actually electronic fund transfer will be fine. Last year my boat motor finally gave up the ghost – the boat was towed home from the island. I’m looking to run Camp 120 again this year and the logistics of setting up camp without a boat at my disposable is unfathomable. I realise this is an expensive ask. What would it be used for. Primarily for camp every year – 80-100 young people on an island for a week – for some it is the highlight of the year. It would also be used for shorter day trips around the many islands near where we live. Maybe for taking guys fishing (although I don’t really like fishing) and getting to hang out and spend time with people.

I’m looking for between $1000 - $2000 to buy a reliable motor. Please contact me if you would like further information.

PASSION

Next Monday (another public holiday) there is a huge conference in Kyiv. This is part of the Passion World Tour and we have invited a lot of student-aged people from around Rzhyshchiv. Please pray that this will be a significant spiritual step in the lives of those whom God is drawing to Himself. Pray that we are faithful in befriending and loving those whose lives are intertwined with ours.

CRICKET IN UKRAINE

Can you imagine – cricket in Ukraine!! As the Twenty20 world cup is underway – Ukraine cricket is looking for ICC recognition, an aim to develop the grassroots – and the possibility of qualifying for the Olympics in 2020. Wayne – a mate from Kaharlyk has built an indoor training facility and is considering one or even two outdoor pitches. He has been using cricket training as a means of having regular contact with young boys who are at a loose end. I hope to be involved a little this summer. Not just because it’s fun to play cricket (I don’t like cricket, I love it), but because I truly believe meaningful relationships can be made through the avenue of sport.

WHAT YA READIN’?

I finished The Two Towers by Tolkien and now I’m cheering on Pippin and Gandalf as they try to hold Gondor against the powers of evil in “Return of the King”. There is nothing more to report. The list ‘to read’ is long.

PRAYER AND PRAISE