January, 2018 - Journey Missions Update

Friends and Family!

Thank you for all your support and prayers in 2017! Aswe reflect on this past year, we see God's hand atwork in the strategic timing of the ways you havecheered us on in this Journey, through encouragingnotes, listening ears, challenging words, and financialgifts too. Thank you for being a blessing!

Maybe you've heard these words from the song"Control" by Tenth Avenue North:

God, You don't need me But somehow You want me Oh, how You love me Somehow that frees me To open my hands up And give You control

Oh, You want me Somehow You want me The King of Heaven wants me So this world has lost its grip on me

Pause for a second and be reminded, that the awesome God who created theuniverse, the King of Heaven wants YOU! Maybe you've already lost some ofyour New Year's resolutions. Friend, God doesn't need us. Even our best effortsare filthy rags to Him. YET, He wants us! He loves us so much that He gave Hisown Son. Maybe you need to resolve to stop trying so hard and rest in His controlthis year. Warning: Life will not always go as you plan, under His control, but Hewill be with you. We may not know the details of 2018, but when we're resting inHim, we can dream big and confidently walk in the unexpected journey ahead.SO, will you rest in this truth today that the King of Heaven wants you?!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, thatwhoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

Simple, but true. The King of Heaven loves you and He wants you.

Continuing to serve Him with you,

Jon, Heidi, and Jeremiah

Mission Trips

Please pray for the upcoming Journey Missions opportunities:

▪ June20toJuly6,2018—BrazilMinistryTrip

▪ July25toAugust15,2018—UgandaMinistryTrip

Click HERE for more information!

Short Term Assistants (STAs)

We are continually praising the Lord for the individuals serving for a summer andlonger and are asking for you to keep them in your prayers as they prepare for all

God has in store for them in the coming days!

Becca is based in Uganda serving withJourney Missions under the direction ofAmbassador Institute. She is teachingclasses in Jinja and various neighboringvillages in the region while also working in alocal print shop creating videos, articles, andother content to share with people about theministry of Ambassador Institute.

Becca will be finishing her time in UgandaFebruary, 2018. Please be in prayer for heras she looks to transition back to the US in the next couple of months.

Visit her blog here!

Emily has previously served on short-term teams inLatin America and is looking forward to working in aforeign field for a longer period of time. She’s hopeful tobe involved with children’s ministry, teaching English.

At this point, Emily is hoping to be involved in a crisispregnancy center as well as working with Brent andEmily Raan. Uganda is a relational culture and a largepart of her ministry will be to connect with people and,ultimately, to connect them with Christ.

Lucas and Katie as currently in Indiaestablishing our support program for thestudents in the Horeb Children’s Home.The Horeb Children’s Home takes inchildren whose parents have died orcannot take care of them. The children arecared for and educated at St. Paul’sLutheran school. Individual supporters of a

Horeb Home student help the student to afford food and housing as well asschool tuition, uniform, and school supplies.

As Lucas and Katie have been working in India they've been visiting villages,working with St. Paul's school, while also achieving their main goal of establishingthe support program and working with two Indian nationals to coordinate andcommunicate with the program director here in the United States.

Ben Smith has been approved as an STA and desiresto serve in Jinja, Uganda for the summer under PastorBrent Raan. We continue to work out specifics and arecurrently looking for one additional person to servealongside Ben. Please be in prayer for Ben as hebegins to prepare.

Adam Erickson has been approved as an STA and weare pursuing options for him to serve in a Spanishspeaking country. Please be in prayer as we continueto navigate the different opportunities presented.

Giving

Did you know that Journey Missions is only possiblebecause of the generosity of others? We are fortunateto have had individuals, small groups, andcongregations who have supported us. Our family isconsidered to be "missionaries at home" and, as afamily and ministry, we are reliant on the financial support of others.

Thank you to you who are faithfully giving! We continue to look for prayer andfinancial partners and if you'd like to give, please click on the logo to the right. Ifyou'd like to discuss further the ministry of Journey Missions please let us know,we'd love to talk with you! Thank you for your considerations!

Please continue to pray for those who are considering becoming a volunteer orjoining a short-term team and praise the Lord for the many lives that are beingtouched because of your support and the willingness of those who have “gone.”

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer, joining a short-term team, learning more about Journey Missions, or would like us to come andshare with your church or small group, we’d love to hear from you!

For a PDF version of this email please click here.

©2018 Association of Free Lutheran Congregations | 3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd Plymouth, MN55441

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