Jono Miller

Stuck in traffic! A rainy late Friday afternoon and I'm stuck in a propka. The name for a cork is the same word for a traffic jam. I see a sign for the metro system so I pull up on the footpath, park the van and head to the underground. 15 minutes later I'm waiting in the rain with some friends. I have a silly hat, a sign that says Lida for president, and I'm wondering why for the second time in a few weeks I forgot to bring a jumper when the weather is below 10 degrees. Eventually we hop on a bus and are transported to some weapons factory that has been converted into a TV studio.

In 2001, fresh out of University, with a new haircut and a second-hand suit, I commenced teaching grade 3 at Pacific Hills Christian School. Thirty 8 and 9 year olds were entrusted to my care for a year. I loved that year. One of those wonderful students was Stephanie Evans. Every day she was cheery, smiley and polite. She was a hard worker. She always put in a good effort. I guess she was the sort of student teachers dream of having. She had an older brother, good at sport, good looking and also a friendly person. Both of her parents were involved in school life.

This year while casual teaching at PHCS, during playground duty, a high school girl jumped up and said, "Hello Mr Miller!" It was Steph. I think the first thing I said was, "Wow, I didn't recognise you with make up!" We had a brief conversation. It was a pleasure to reconnect with a past student.

Now I'm 10 000 miles away and I hear the tragic news of a life cut short. It hurts. I feel as if I'm writing this blog for myself.

But to the Evans family, I send you my love. To my former 3M students - thank you for everything you mean to me. Stand strong together now. Support each other, pray for each other. To fellow colleagues who taught Steph, I hurt with you.

I opened my Bible and God placed this verse upon my heart: Psalm 121:1-2 "I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Love Jono (AKA Mr Miller - and Jeff)

Keep Looking Up

I am absolutely stoked. I just got news that my mate Dion was baptised on Sunday. When I was a kid growing up in Motueka, my best friend was Dion who lived just down the road. We were at each other's houses every day. As I got older, I invited him to youth group etc. and then we moved away and life moved on. I have thought about and prayed for Dion on and off over the years and once or twice got in touch. This year we reconnected while I was in NZ. I may not have been the most faithful friend, but God is a faithful God, and over the years drew Dion to Himself.

All praise to God! Great to have you in the Family mate!

Sunday 24th marked a special day for two special friends of mine. Jemimah and Esther Gollan were baptised in the Bribie Island passage. What does all that mean? Well they got dunked in the water, physically all it did was make them wet. But in their lives this was a very meaningful step, a public declaration that they are followers of Jesus. A recognition that their old life has been crucified on the cross with Christ, and as he was buried and raised again, they are set free to live a new life in the power of His Spirit. Oh the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead of these two passionate lovely girls.

Luda is 28 years old. She remembers as a young girl coming first in a race at school. But that is now a very distant memory. When Luda was 16 years old she became sick and as a result developed ‘miasteniya’. This disease affects nerves and muscles and consequently Luda was left in a wheel chair for a number of years. Miasteniya is treatable but costly. Luda has had one operation and she walks with a pronounced limp. Stairs are very difficult and slow for her. Usually someone carries her up and down the stairs at church.

I had the privilege of visiting Luda and seeing her art work. She loves to draw. She mainly draws objects or copies pictures that are in front of her. I photographed a sampling of her art (sorry I don’t have a photo of Luda yet as she decided she was not dressed properly for a photograph).

We talked at length. I hesitantly asked her about her limp. She was really happy to talk. She wanted to know if I had more questions. She said it was wonderful for someone to take an interest in her life. She has very few visitors and doesn’t get out of the house very much at all.

Welcome to April. That title has nothing to do with this update and I want to stack a lot into these two pages. But up front I want to say thank you for reading and thank you for praying.

March went by fast and was packed full of activity. I worked a lot at Pacific Hills Christian School and I preached at church (sermons can be heard on line).