His Banner over us is FAITHFUL!! Trip Update Part 1 & 2

Well, we came to PA simply to see our dear friends, the Polczynski's, on route to MN and we have had unexpected blessed opportunities… First, Dave asked if Jon could share at their church… not realizing that they had 3 weeks of missionaries lined up to share that past two weeks and next week, so the pastor felt it was too much and said maybe another time. Then Carin started inviting friends to come over Sat. night to their house, not remembering that they had a church function that night, so they had to cancel, and we went with them to that dinner and met some sweet people from the church. Later, the pastor felt convicted that he was getting in God's way and that he should have Jon share for 15 minutes during the service and when we arrived early this morning, he asked Jon to share with the youth Sunday School class as well. 

Jon did amazingly well in his sharing (I cried as I was so amazed that he expressed himself so well, it just flowed with no notes).  It was God's blessing as he shared,  and I cried at many other points and I have heard him share a dozen times before, but this time (and when he shared on PEI) it was actually very emotional at certain points. And people's responses were tremendous… many were really blessed. God even reached out to Emma in very tangible ways through a number of people there… she was really aware of how God led folks to talk to her and ask her about herself and one sweet women had tears in her eyes and expressed some really tender caring words to Emma.  It has been an unexpected joy to be here, beyond getting sweet time with Carin and Dave.

Though our housing with an old friend enroute to MN had to be cancelled… we got absolute perfect housing for tomorrow night through A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW Hospitality Network  (check it out www.acandleinthewindow.com ) What a blessing and what a wonderful ministry! We have a great story of how things worked out!  We will be staying with complete strangers in the Body of Christ who are welcoming us into their home tomorrow night and the location is exactly 8 1/2 hours from here and 8 1/2 hours to the Twin cities in Minnesota!! Actually a shorter route than then one I had chosen because there's less construction.

So much to be thankful for and we have only been on the road two days!!

Wow! God is not only good… He IS our GOOD SHEPHERD… leading us step by step.

Operation Nehemiah has a new website and we were able just yesterday to create a page that has ours and William's speaking schedule, so folks can see where we will be when. Check out the website.. it's still being worked on but it is much better to navigate and easier for us to update. www.operationsnehemiah.org

Love and blessings to all!

In Him Who keeps us,  Roger & Patty Lueken & family

It’s not possible to sum up all the many ways we have seen the Lord direct our steps... It is truly overwhelming!! Every step of the way we have been blessed and cared for... Several times errors in directions were averted at the last minute; visits with friends & no plans of sharing where doors opened up; housing that fell through was so wonderfully replaced with unexpected treats; the overwhelming generosity of God’s people has wonderfully provided for our needs as we travel! Our hearts rejoice at His faithful provision of our daily bread!!

After leaving PA, we had the pleasure of meeting a family in Indiana who took us in, fed us well and shared a love of missions and a secret room behind a small bookcase that you had to crawl to and slide into. That was a real treat for Emma! Thank you, Hennings!! ​ ​

 Arriving in Minnesota, Roger’s sister who works in Minneapolis, got permission that we stay in a newly renovated house while in the city... what a huge blessing!

 Another unexpected treat for Jon was a divine appointment with Uncle Kwasi, (born in Ghana, Africa) who has been a doctor here and has in the past given himself, much like William Levi, for his people in Togo. He has more energy than all of us, has a passion for people, and at 75 years old is volunteering to teach African Drum lessons to former inmates (we even got to participate in a lesson!!). He is always teaching about life as he shares and he also cares for metal health patients and is just an all around dear man. He has many connections to medical resources that could be a blessing to Operation Nehemiah. ​ ​

Our few days up north with Roger’s older siblings and his mom, was not long enough, but very sweet with gifts and giving flowing back and forth and sweet fellowship was enjoyed. Jon shared his photos with them all and the cousins had a grand time together with talks of returning sooner than later. ​​

ROGER & HIS MOM 

 The last three days in Minneapolis, MN included a wedding & 8 visits with friends and family: Drum lesson & lunch with Uncle Kwasi, a blessed time of sharing at a dear old friends bible study, a reunion with one of Jon’s ALERT buddies after 4 years; a wonderful overnight reunion with a dear old friend of 35 years originally from Plainville, and 3 more visits with more dear Lueken’s. ​

​ ​ So much has been out of our control & could not be arranged before we left on this trip, so we had to trust the Lord to order our steps and provided, & He has so beautifully filled in the vacancies of housing, speaking and other provision. As an encouraging friend recently shared:

 "They who place everything in the Hand of God, 

will see the Hand of God in everything." 

 Our God is showing Himself to be more faithful than we have ever experienced before!! Overwhelmed by His amazing love and care!
Thanks for your prayers,
In Him Who keeps us, Roger & Patty Lueken & family

Read all of Jon's South Sudan Adventures: fromjoninafrica.blogspot.com

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