I thought this title might elicit some reads.  It certainly caught me off guard when i first heard it.  Dave Cameron (A Kontaktmission intern investigating missions in Eastern Europe) and I were coming back from a successful trip to the doctors office for Isaac’s physical.  We were getting ready to cross the street across from our apartment, when an frail older lady of 93 years came to cross also.  She was hunched over with a cain and a bag slung over her back.  I said to her, “Let me help you with that.”  She protested, “no son, I’ve got it.” But I responded that I wanted to help her.  I told David in English, “Take her hand and help her off the curb.” and I carried her bag. (what Boy Scouts we were) Upon hearing me talk to dave in English, she inquired with surprise; “What kind of Nazis are you!?”  I had to ask her to repeat the question.  Thinking to myself, “did she really just say that.” I chuckled in response, “We’re not Nazis, we’re Americans.” She responded, “Oh, so your Allies.”  She happily took Dave’s hand and the 4 of us walked across the street.  Just another moment in my life that reminds how much better are the ways of love over the the ways of man.

(From Jon)  I think that we can all say unequivocally that our familiarity with the Gospel can sometimes turn to apathy for what is really going on here. Personally I go through times of dryness, where my Christian walk looks more like routine behavior.

It’s been one of my practices to avoid this, to spend my Monday as my Sabbath. I use this time to  relax with some of my favorite sitcoms, listen to a few sermons, read, pray, and generally recharge myself. I recently came across some sermons by Francis Chan. I had been meaning to read one of his books “Crazy Love.” and so I thought I would put some of his sermons into the rotation.  Here’s the sermon I watched. All I could think was “Wow.” I was simply blown away.  I thought to myself, “Man, I really need to read that book.”  Not but two hours later I and a friend of mine (coincidentally he’s Ukrainian) were hanging out when what did I see on his shelf but this book.  With great enthusiasm I asked if I could borrow it.  It seemed to me, that God must have something here he really wants me to understand.

Well, I started the book and so far I have found myself drawn deeper into my relationship with God than I have been for a while.  Those of you who know me well (and my lack of fondness for reading), are saying, “You started a book that wasn’t on CD? It must be good.” I hate to be use this phrase over again, but I’m simple blown away.

Here’s just one of the things that I was reminded of that has deepened my understanding of God.

“The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want him most of the time”

I’m excited for what God is doing in me, in the church, in Ukraine, in the world.  I’m ready for the adventure.  If your feeling like taking this ride with me, I would encourage you to pick up a copy and check it out for yourselves.  I hope you will find it as helpful as I have.  If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book or perhaps just on the sermon posted above.

In Christ,

Jon

Today as I was taking Alex to school I passed by a man laying on the sidewalk. There were other people standing around but no one seemed to be helping him. And then I realized why. It was too late. He was already dead. His eyes were open but his skin was grayish blue and he lay there completely motionless.

As I walked by and tried to focus Alex’s attention elsewhere, I found myself thinking, “Who is rejoicing right now? Are the angels in heaven rejoicing because another soul has come home? Or are the devil and his demons rejoicing because they won one more soul to their side?”

I found myself matter-of-factly reminded that when we die we go one of two places. There is no in between. We either go to heaven to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father in paradise, or we go to hell to burn in the fire s of Hell eternally. The question I have for you is, “What are you doing to make sure you get to hear the words “Well, done my good and faithful servant”?

Are you content to be a “good” person and go to church every Sunday? Or are you actively seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ everyday and trusting in him?

And what about those around you? Are you even in the battle, or are you wrapped up with the things of flesh and blood.

It’s been said that, all men die, but most men never truly live. Make no mistake friends, someone is rejoicing today and when you die someone will be cheering too. Who will it be?

I found this ‘Casting Crowns’ call to action particularly impactful and a reminder to keep focused on the things that really matter.

- Jenny

I should start this post off with an a apology for not writing for awhile.

I often find inspiration in music, some old and some new.  Over thanksgiving we had a time of singing and one of the missionaries, Greg, mentioned that one of his favorite songs was “Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” Since then I’ve been running over the words and music of this song periodically; playing it on guitar, harmonica, reading the words, listening to other artist renditions, watching videos etc.  For those of you who are not familiar with it you can read the poetry of the lyrics below.  Also here’s a great video.  I hope you find it as powerful as I have.

I want to encourage you to take time this weeks to meditate on this love and the difference that should evident in our lives because of it.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Yesterday as I was getting ready for Church standing in front of the bathroom mirror,

Jenny walked into the bathroom and commented, “you know your a lot hairier than when we first met.” At first I thought, “Gee thanks for the update.”

You can't say we're not cute.

I retorted, “I had ‘some’ hair.”  My lovely wife, being so quick witted, replied, “Yah your right, interestingly it’s about the same amount you have on your back now.” She then ran out of the bathroom laughing gleefully, knowing that for once she wasn’t on the receiving end of the zinger. I stood there for a moment trying to look in the mirror at my back to check the factualness of her statement. In that moment it occurred to me that most men basically end up being big monkeys who can talk. And for you girls out there, this might sound like a bad thing.   But I ask you this, Who wouldn’t want a big talking monkey? GO MEN!

Ever have one of those weeks you just wish you could do over? That’s were I’m at right now. My mood has been everything from inappropriately jocular, to hypocritical. And it seems that temptations and sins have been particularly more of a struggle than normal. Regret has been the name of the game this week. More than once this week I’ve found myself thinking to myself, “Wow that was a real jerk thing to say.” “Dude you could haven’t been more insensitive” (that’s right I call myself dude in my own head) and lastly, “Well you blew it again, way to go.” There two things I think that I need to learn here.  First, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.  Alright so that sounds bit cliche, but so often my response to a particular bad week is often looks more like surrender than a counter attack.  So I got caught not paying attention by the enemy, why does that mean I need to lay down my arms and succumb to self-centeredness.  It’s no wonder Paul so often uses military language to talk about our lives with Christ.  We really are in a battle.  For me this means getting back into to my quiet time and praying for the power for the Holy Spirit in my life.  Secondly, God loved us and saved us knowing all we were, all we are, and all we will be.  And he still chose us to be his ambassadors to the world.   I’m always perplexed by this; If I were God I would have destroyed the whole rebellious lot long ago (or at least 50% of which I am included) .  But he didn’t, he had a plan for each one of us. When we buy a car it is wise get a “carfacts” report to see the vehicle’s history it stops you from buying a lemon, of course carfacts reports can’t tell you what will befall your shiny new purchase in the future.  Not so with God and people, we were ‘lemons’ before he bought us, and he is well aware that well be ‘lemons’ down the line.  Yet what does God do, he pays twice the blue book price for us.  Well I’m done with my “week of shame.”  My God Loves me, knows I’m a loser, and has a plan to use me for his glory.
Usually these weeks go from bad to worse, fostered by the all to familiar resignation justification.  We (I) don’t have to resign, FIGHT!!!  The Lion is waiting to devour you man, so, FIGHT!!!Today is Thursday, I’m not waiting to start a new week on Sunday.  Sunday may be a com’n, I’m starting the FIGHT NOW!!!

(Though words could not properly describe it, I’m imagining a ‘Braveheart’ yell here)

Jenny wrote this about a year ago.  I don’t think we ever published it. (forgive me if you’ve read this before)  It was just sitting on one of our USB sticks.  Even today, we could add to this list of our God who provides and overcomes.  Please comment on this and share a story of your own, that the whole may be edified.

When Jon and I started on the journey to become missionaries, it felt like an impossible task.  Where would Jon go to school to get his degree?  Would we be able to sell our house?  What kind of job would we have to support

This picture was taken from the window of our Apartment.

our family?  Would we find a new church family?  Where would we live?  Where would we come up with the support?  How would we learn Russian?  How would our kids adjust?  These were just some of the questions facing us as we took the first step of faith and followed God’s call for us to go to Ukraine.

When it was God’s time for us to leave Davenport to go to Lincoln Christian College, just 2 ½ hours away, for Jon to get his degree, our house sold in 2 days.  We found a new place to live in Lincoln in 3 hours.  And because of Jon’s previous job experience and entrepreneurial spirit and God’s amazing grace, we started a business out of our basement that as of now, not only supports our family, but 3 other families as well.  We found a new church family in Mount Pulaski that we absolutely loved.  We have built a team of supporters that to date, have not only met, but have surpassed our one-time start-up costs!  We are currently in South Carolina attending the summer Russian language course at Russian Language Ministries with a group of amazing teachers and students, and we are very happy to say, that the kids are doing great too!

Each time that we wonder if this is God’s will for us because we are facing some sort of roadblock, God has not only meets our needs, but in almost every case has surpassed them!   The last couple of weeks has been another example of this.  After two weeks in our Russian course, Jon and I were unsure if we were going to be able to get enough of a base in the language to be effective when we get to Ukraine.  But we didn’t think that we were going to be able to afford to stay for the fall course because of additional housing costs and tuition and the cost of changing the plane tickets.  Well, once again, God has provided.  We have found a place to live for the fall that is only $295 a month and is fully furnished.  And thanks to the VBS’s at BCC and Athens Christian Church, we have just enough of an overage in our one-time costs to cover the additional tuition and the cost to change the plane tickets!  Praise God!

We serve a God that provides for our needs just as he provided a goat for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son.  We know that there are many trials and roadblocks yet to come, but we also know that our God is bigger than all of them combined.  We know and trust that as long as we are following God’s will, He will always provide a way.

Living in Ukraine, I have often had an appreciation for some of the simple luxuries and cultural practices of my homeland, but recently I experienced something that American Culture can’t hold a candle to… Birthday Parties! And what a party it was! Tons of people showed up; about 30. Many of them brought flowers and chocolate and other really great gifts. Before eating many people stood and shared their appreciation for you just being you. Some others wrote poetry for me. And still others sang songs for me. No doubt I was feeling a little down about being 33, but that was the furthest thing from my mind on that night.  After enjoying tons of Ukrainian Pizza (surprisingly really delicious) we sat around telling jokes and stories.  When it became dark outside the Americans decided we should share some American traditions, so we built a fire and had S’mores!  The Ukrainians loved ‘em!  All in all one of the best birthdays ever.

Thank you to all those people who drop me a line on facebook too.  We were without internet, so it was like coming home to a big hug from across the ocean.

For everyone that helped 33 feel like 23 THANK YOU!  I am truly blessed.

OK so this may sound a little weird, but I’ve prayed this several times since we been here.  Russian is quite the language.  There are times that I hate it and love it.  ‘Love it’ you say, that’s crazy!?!  In some ways it can be very logical and this makes picking up new vocab easier.  The problems crop up because Russian works on drastically different system of thought.  This is why languages like German and Spanish are seemingly cake in comparison.  I heard earlier this year that learning the language if done right should take about 2 years.  This was not an encouragement to me since language is not my strong suite.  But here I am, and this Russian is not going to learn itself.  So I will grow where I’m planted and continue ask for the gift of tongues.