THANK YOU for HOLDING THE ROPE!

April 2, 2015 ~ We can't tell you how awed we are at the miracle of God's provision in all sorts of ways to make this trip to Africa possible. We had nothing that we could SEE a few months ago to cause us to think that this would be possible, but GOD…

Neither the Levi’s nor we have credit cards or savings to draw from. We can only look to the Lord in PRAYER. It's been like stepping out on the water & many times He has reached out & grabbed our hands when we were consumed by the wind & the waves & sinking. He has led us step by step, giving us just what we need to do the next thing. 

One things for sure, when you do not have the means to do something, you cannot run ahead of Him. You are forced to WAIT ON THE LORD to provide what you need, which is a good place to be, though it is hard on our flesh. We want to see everything in place before we decide to do something, but He calls us to walk by faith and not by sight. 

Don't be afraid if you find yourself in circumstances beyond your capacity, ability or means. Even if you are anxious, as you look to Him, He will prove Himself so very FAITHFUL. Hard things & trials are the place where we are forced to wait on Him & where we SEE Him best. We are weak but He is strong. His light is best seen when He lights up the darkness and there we see His wondrous character more clearly.               

Thank you for your prayers & support.  

Together we have asked our Father and He has been beautifully supplying our daily bread. 

Tues. evening April 7 we fly from Boston & after 18 hours in the air, we land in Entebbe (next to the capitol Kampala) on Lake Victoria in southern Uganda (right at the equator). Then after a day or so there, we will travel by vehicle 12 hours north to the South Sudan border, where we will negotiate for our visas (which can take some time). Then we travel an hour or so to Borongole for our reunion with Jon & to meet his South Sudanese family! We will have 19 days in the village & return to Boston on April 30th with adventures to share.

Please do not pray for us only. 
The difficulties we may encounter are things the people of South Sudan face every day of their lives... 

"Missions’ is very simple. 

There are only two ministries in missions. 

You’re either called to go down into the well or you’re called to hold the rope for those that go down." ~ Paul Washer

Thank you for holding the rope!!!

Thanks for your prayers for these last minute outstanding needs
~ fees to recover a shipment that was sent to Uganda
~ equipping a couple more projects on the ground
~ covering bills while we’re gone.
~ last minute purchases of needs for our brothers & sisters in South Sudan,

As we pray together we can rejoice together as He moves to meet these last  needs. 

It’s never too late to give as God leads!
Our personal prayer need when we return is for increased Monthly Support!

>>>>>> We will be available this summer/fall to come to your church or home with new pictures & tales to tell of our first hand experiences & the needs in South Sudan<<<<<<<<<<

Oh, the wonder & reality of His love, mercy, grace & caring for us…        Thank you,     Roger, Patty & Emma Lueken

DONATE at www.operationsnehemiah.org 

 Levi’s Main office Choose Option #1 - Lueken’s Plainville office Choose Option #2

PAYPAL onlighthouse@gmail.com

MAIL checks to the address PO BOX 2401 Plainville, MA 02762

PO BOX 563 Lanesboro, MA 01237

*Jonathan recorded an audio book of William Levi’s story,

THE BIBLE or the AXE: One Man’s Dramatic Escape from Persecution in Sudan.

For a DONATION, we’ll send you a homemade copy (9 Cd’s) 

OR the actual hard copy book. 

JUST LET US KNOW if you want the BOOK or CD. 

(please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery after we get back).

www.operationsnehemiah.org

Leaving "God Room" that others SEE His glorious intervention!

William Levi, the founder of Operation Nehemiah has always had to step out believing for more than he could possibly SEE & DO giving God Room to demonstrate that He sees our need & the needs of the people of Borongole and will provide!' God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.' 2 Corinthians 9:8a  "THE GOD-ROOM PRINCIPLE

In Franklin Graham’s autobiography, Rebel With A Cause, he relates a conversation that he had with the late Dr. Bob Pierce, the founder of two large Christian ministries (World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse).This conversation took place long before Franklin Graham became officially associated with Samaritan’s Purse.  During this conversation, Dr. Pierce introduced to Franklin the concept of the “God-room principle.” He explained that this principle is a part of the process that begins when we see a need that we believe God wants us to meet! We accept the challenge and set about raising funds, acquiring materials, volunteering our services, and doing whatever it takes to meet that need! However when we have raised all that we can of the required resources, there is still a gap between the “required” resources and our “accumulated” resources. It is then that we realize that there is no way by which we can humanly meet the need! That is when we pray for God’s intervention, and we leave space (room) for Him to work. At this point all that we can do is step back and watch God faithfully close the gap!  Dr. Pierce further explained that the “God-room principle” only works when we commit ourselves to bigger things than we can humanly do! It is then that we will have the opportunity to watch God work a miracle by closing the gap! Dr. Pierce explained that our faith is not required: as long as we set our goals only as high as the most intelligent, most informed, and most expert human efforts can reach! Nothing is a miracle until it reaches the area where the utmost that human effort can do is still not enough! God has to fill that space (room) between what “is possible for man to do on his own” and what God wants done.” We do not exercise our faith until we realize that we have promised more than it is possible for us to do!  God has to fill that space (room) between what “is possible for man to do on his own” and what God wants done.” Think about it! Has there ever been a time in your life when you saw a need and then did everything that was humanly possible for you to do to meet that need, but there was still a gap? I know that I have – many times! Only then that I had to admit that I had promised more than it was humanly possible for me to do! It is at that point of admission that each of us must surrender the need to God, step back, and give Him the space (room) in which to work: and He closes the gap!  “Precious heavenly Father, I thank You for so lovingly and graciously allowing us to be a part of Your work here on earth! Help us never to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, when we are working to meet a need that we believe You want us to meet. Please help us to know the right time to step back and give You the space (room) in which to work, and then watch You work a miracle to close the gap! You are an awesome, mighty God"  Elsie L. McFarland http://www.sonrisemission.org/cgi-bin/news/news.pl?ID=200076 Be glorified in the eyes of many as you provide for us here to take many blessings over there to South Sudan "To help define the term Bob told Franklin a story of 2 contrasting churches. One church needed to remodel their building and said they needed to raise 100,000 dollars. Initially they just raised 75,000 from within their congregation. The rest of the 25,000 they went personally to members and asked them to give the rest, and they did. Bob said “that’s what human strategy and planning can do. Nothing wrong with that, Buddy (name he called Franklin), but just don’t call it faith.” Franklin replied “They reached their goal, didn’t they? Wasn’t that faith?” Bob replied “Naw, that’s just good sense at work.” Then Bob proceeded to tell Franklin of the other church. The other church had outgrown their present building and needed to expand their facilities. The members gave 200,000 for the project. Bob replied “About that time a missionary couple from India came home from furlough and worshipped with the congregation. They told about the hellhole of Calcutta. The people could hardly believe what they heard. The couple never asked for anything, just shared the needs of the homeless, starving children they were trying to care of. You know what, Buddy? The board of the church got so involved with that vision they voted to take the entire two hundred thousand dollars and gave it to the missionaries for their work.” In reference to the second church Franklin stated, “Later on I learned that this church became one of the fastest growing congregations in the United States and completed several building programs.” Bob replied “Their giving money to the missionaries…that was faith.” Then Bob stated “That’s where ‘God Room’ comes in. Nothing is a miracle until it reaches the area where the utmost that human effort can do still isn’t enough. God has to fill that space…room…between what’s possible and what He wants done that’s impossible. That’s what I mean by ‘God Room.’” ` K. Boones"Nothing is a miracle until it reaches the area where the utmost that human effort can do still isn’t enough. God has to fill that space…room…between what’s possible and what He wants done that’s impossible." Bob Pierce

Where do you struggle with allowing God to provide for you daily?

"Give us this day our daily bread." This ... indicates our awareness of His provision in our lives & our dependence on Him for that gift. It's not just food we're talking bout. it's all the things we NEED. 

I love the fact that He uses the word "daily" because it reminds me that this is a constant prayer and recognition. We don't need to ask for more than today's portion, because we will pray tomorrow to ask for that [manna] again... 

Where do you struggle with allowing God to provide for you daily? What are the places that feel unsafe, where you are tempted to try and hoard what you can in order to protect yourself from potential drought? I can hardly think of an area where I  am not at least tempted to get ahead/gather up/form my own back up plan & leave enough for another day. Whether it's money, emotional issues, or even housekeeping, I feel the need to have a "safety net" RATHER THAN TRUST GOD'S PROVISION. It's so silly, but I try and take control instead of allowing myself to rest and trust that He will come through.

It's as if I'm saying, "Thank You for what You did today, but I'm not really convinced You'll keep it up, so I'm stepping in."

He asks us to have the kind of faith that wakes in the morning not knowing how He will provide, but believing that He will, based on what we know of His character. [a daily posture for us lately]

I'm a whole lot better at typing it than I am at living it out.

We know what we need and He might be busy, so we'll go ahead and plan in the event that He's occupied.  You can call it whatever you want, but the reality is that it's our lack of faith that causes us to ACT instead of ASK.

He's a good enough Father to let us learn our own lessons, and trust me, this is one I have to learn over and over. [me, too!] I can exhaust myself running around like a maniacal squirrel, fully convinced that it is my searching that will keep me protected and well-fed. Instead of pausing to pray to the God who is in control of the whole universe, I scramble and gather, scramble and gather. And when I have a sufficient amount stored (according to my standards), I may go ahead and thank Him.

It basically means I SAY I trust Him but I ACT like I don't. Which is, you know, less than optimal.

It has been only with the benefit of hindsight that I have often realized how misguided my "solutions" were. I grew in the seasons where He didn't do what I thought was necessary for my well-being. I learned what it feels like to be infused with the hope that defies circumstances. While I can's say He's always done it my way, I will say HE has always come through for me in a way that made Him more real to me."  [with that I whole heartedly concur!]

~Angie Smith author of Chasing God - from the back cover: 

"Maybe you’ve never asked the question out loud, but you’ve wondered. You do the things that look good on paper: read your Bible, pray, attend study groups and go to church on Sundays.

But you aren’t convinced you really know Him.

Angie Smith understands, because she had run circles around the same paths searching for Him, frustrated at her lack of progress. And she probably would have continued to do so had it not been for one realization that changed everything.

She wasn’t following God; she was trying to catch up with Him.

And without realizing it, you may be as well.

It’s a distinction that affects every aspect of our lives with Christ, and it begins with learning where we’ve relied more on man’s explanation of God than God Himself.

So many requirements, so many rules, and so much guilt where there is supposed to be freedom. It’s the reason you wonder if you’ve measured up, and the nagging voice that tells you you’re a failure as a Christian.

Three simple words changed everything for Angie, and she believes they can do the same for you.

Stop chasing God."

Praising God for His timely release!

Thankful for the overwhelming generosity of God's people!

I always marvel at the specific way and perfect timing of God's provision.

We had our consultation at Passport Heath in Prov. scheduled for last Thursday and they called to postpone because of snow.

The person who rescheduled it to Monday 3/9 said it was up to us if we wanted to also get all the shots right then in there. So we prayed and asked the Lord, to provide what we needed, when we needed it and thanked him that we had the $95 for the consultation.

That morning I got this from a concerned friend:

I am going to get all organic on you and present to you the idea of not getting all your shots on the same day.  I know it would mean more hassle, but it is super hard on the lymph system to try to process all that at once.  ...just a thought/prayer.  (Watched someone die from cancer initiated by the barrage on her system from travel shots.)  I love you guys!

Well, I saw the wisdom in her advice and saw God's hand in postponing our appointment and was glad we did not yet have any money to pay for the shots, so there was not a chance that we could run ahead of Him. 

Later, that day, I went to our PO Box and we had an unexpected gift  which was not only large, but  huge b/c it's timing is right after we rescheduled and heard from Carin... and it was only enough to pay for "some" of our immunizations. 

Anyone going to South Sudan has to get Yellow Fever... they won't let you travel there with out that vaccine. That alone for the 3 of us is over $500.  I don't suppose there is a buy 2 get one free deal ;)

We have to get Hep B immediately as the booster is a month later before we leave... so as far as I can see the gift that was sent is exactly what we need for those 2 essential ones... no more or no less!!

Then we can schedule the others: Typhoid & Hep A in subsequent weeks and acquire malaria prevention just before we go.  There is a natural spray called Dermal 200 (I think) that is from Australia, so we are debating about going with that, which is what Jon is using for malaria and yet he still got a mild case of it... no malaria prevention is 100% fool proof. 

But God uses ALL things for good and Jon really receives from the Lord in those times of trial in ways that bless him as he wrestles with his tendency to rely so heavily on his own strength.

• One Sunday Jon went to visit their sister church for service (an hours walk away). He was asked to share something with the people at church, but was not prepared. Later, he agreed to share from a scripture he had looked at in the morning Jer 9:23-24.           
• Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
• His thoughts that morning were realizing that those verses were a promise of God offering Himself to the people in the midst of their idolatry & sin. When he began to share at the service, he said "it was as if I had an outline".  He shared about his own struggles with idols of exercise and how  "I glory in my own strength & God uses typhoid and malaria to show me He is my strength."  God so ministered to Him as he shared, he said it brought him to tears. The day before he wrestled with condemnation and God came through and forgave him and loved him. I cried to hear this.  Thank you for remembering him in your prayers. God our, Good Shepherd is taking care of Jon beautifully.

There's been so much going on to try to hinder the work on the ground lately, & so much that God has done to turn all that around for more good than you could imagine! 

We are truly overwhelmed by all we SEE Him doing on behalf of His people there & here!!

I trust you've seen William recent update for the trip and all God has done and all that still needs to be done.  http://us1.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=d3e3508f72a4cfdd390e7e2a3&id=bb91047ec3

You have to see the video about Franklin Graham's visit to pray with the pastors in South Sudan!! I cried to see this:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=878582105531305&pnref=story 

Praising our Lord, who sees and knows and cares through His people!!

WE FORGET, YET HE IS FAITHFUL

It has only been 2 weeks since we found out we would be traveling to South Sudan on April 7th & we are in awe! 

 We read stories of God providing for His people, yet we feel it is all up to us. Here in the land of plenty, there is much available to us, and we often run ahead of God & spin our wheels trying to bring it about. We remember Him saying, "You have not because you ask not." & "Apart from Me you can do nothing" … but there's so much we CAN do apart from Him that we forget to ask Him for direction and for our needs. So the Lord shows us His gracious Father heart and tender care for His children by allowing circumstances that are beyond us, whether physical, financial, emotional or spiritual, drawing us away from our self-sufficiency. 

"FAITH IN A FAITHFUL GOD WILL STRETCH US TO THE LIMITS OF OUR 

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL & SPIRITUAL BEINGS, 

BUT THE STRETCHING WILL SERVE ONLY TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY 

TO KNOW GOD, AND IN THE KNOWING 

TO DISCOVER THE VAST POTENTIAL OF A LIFE LIVED BY FAITH." ~ unknown

For our family, Jesus lead us to a ministry that grabbed ahold of our hearts as we SEE His hand at work in South Sudan. He called us to serve our brothers & sisters in Africa & many of you have become a part of this ministry through your prayers & giving so we can go & serve. 

We have had to trust God to provide this past year, as Roger stepped away from employment; and our Father has miraculously provided for us. For 8 months He's covered everyday expenses, and even travel for two Op. N speaking trips and more.  He has faithfully equipped us to do what He has called us to do. 

In Mark 8:13 - 21  Jesus got into a boat with the disciples after He fed the 4,000 and spoke to them about the leaven of the Pharisees. They thought he was speaking of bread because they only had one loaf among them.  Jesus lovingly points out their hardness of heart and forgetfulness of what He had already done. Isn't that just like us?? We read the stories and God does miracles for us, but the next time we face an insurmountable hurdle, we anxiously wonder, "How will we do this?  pay this?  get through this?"  After feeding thousands, could He not feed them with one loaf, AND have leftovers to share with the crowds on the distant shore? 

 Last week our travel agent reserved very low cost flights, but we needed $250 per ticket by Friday 2/20 to hold them; with the remainder due March 6th. Friday came and neither us or the Levi's had the needed amount. Since neither family has credit cards or savings, we must look to the Lord who makes all things possible; believing that where He guides, He provides. That Friday night at a men's prayer gathering someone told Roger, they felt the Lord was leading them to pay our deposit and would have it for us by Sunday. Wow! We were so encouraged!! 

On Sunday we traveled with William Levi & family (founder of Operation Nehemiah) for 2 speaking engagements… what a wonderful day of God knitting our hearts with others in His Body! One of the people I (Patty) enjoyed speaking with, later came to me inquiring about our airfare and asked if she should mail us a check for $1800! I was speechless.  As I hugged her she said, "I think I should give you the check today to carry with you as an encouragement." We were overwhelmed!!

I (Patty) have to admit, I wondered why God released so much long before it was needed… usually God provides right when we need it and often at the 11th hour. 

 On Monday, we asked the travel agent to find us flights again, trusting that the deadline for our deposits would be at the end of the week like before. She contacted us on Tuesday, with even cheaper fares than last week!!! BUT, she NEEDED THE DEPOSIT THAT DAY to hold these fares!

 In addition to our deposit, we had received an unexpected check for $200. The Levi's needed $2000 & promised gifts were on the way, but had not come in yet. Suddenly, I realized what God had done… He provided that $1800 + $200 b/c He foresaw our need for the $2000 for the Levi's that day!!!! So we were able to cover the Levi's deposit and ours & reserve our flights!! 

 He sees, hears, cares and provides our needs.                                           
Oh, Lord forgive us for our doubt, thank you for your patience with us.
 We are so blessed to be a part of His Body of believers who are generous like their Savior.
God is really encouraging us as we step out in faith. 

 We look forward to the days ahead, 

trusting He will order our steps & continue to provide.

NEEDS GOING INTO 2015 - Thank you for your prayers!

THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF BORONGOLE, SOUTH SUDAN!!!

Thank you so much for your prayerful support & generous gifts in 2014 ~  Jan 2015

THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF BORONGOLE SOUTH, SUDAN

It is God’s people working together, each doing his part, 

that has made possible the wonderful developments on the ground in South Sudan. 

Because of your support, Jonathan & William Levi arrived in December at a time where the people of Borongole were being tempted to flee from the village.  Their arrival & subsequent unexpected year end blessings encouraged the people to stand their ground & know that God was with them. 

We can’t thank you enough for the many blessings!

 In 2014, your collective prayers & financial gifts to Operation Nehemiah have done remarkable works & helped to transform the lives of many:

1.  Enable Jonathan & the Levi family to spend 2 months in South Sudan to mentor leaders, disciple families, encourage and co-labor with our ground team to promote the Great Commission.

2. Surveyed 10 square miles of land in the village &  farmland for the families and future generations.

3. Established Nehemiah Interlocking Block Production that has provided jobs to 20 households 

4. Constructed the Ndereto Nile Beth Israel Sister Congregation, now housing over 300 worshipers every weeks.

5. Cleared more than 20 acres for planting corn, cassava, & bananas.  

6. Trained three young men as first aid clinicians and fully supplied the Nehemiah Field Medical Clinic with diagnostic tests & medicine & an AMBULANCE!!!!            

7. Obtained Grinding Mill and sewing machines to meet practical needs of the families in Borongole 

8. Distributed hundreds of ImpaX player solar radio receivers tuned to our Gospel radio station w/ the entire Bible imbedded in it.

9. Distributed Bibles and discipleship materials to area pastors in the region.

10. Construction of  Beth Israel Farmhouse has begun as they currently are producing the over 60,000 bricks needed

11. Sponsored our second mission trip to the South Sudan in a year in Dec. 2014

12. Deployed Mr. Jonathan Lueken to South Sudan as a US missionary for six months 

Thank you for your prayers as we (3) Lueken’s step out in faith to join Jonathan in South Sudan for a month this spring to further our work with Operation Nehemiah! 

Pray for the Most Immediate Needs going into 2015:

     1. $9000 in expenses for the Lueken family to finally travel to South Sudan during       Jon’s 6 month stay. Possibly leaving in March or April.
Pray also for the Levi family’s who need as much just for their airfare.

     2. $10,000 for Agriculture development (tools, supplies, seed, etc) going into the wet season in March and drip irrigation system set up ahead of time for the dry season in October so they can plant & harvest food year round.

     3. $46,000 towards Beth Israel Farmhouse construction

     4. Funds toward or donations of automotive parts & tools  purchased in the US. for repair of truck on the ground.

     5. Funds or donations of complete windows with screens (50 needed), doors or tiles for the Farmhouse   

This scripture (below) was clearly expressed through, Timothy, the Field Director (William Levi’s nephew), when he received word of a very generous end of the year donation, & he emailed saying:  " I am just blown up by God's continuous blessings. The Lord is really good and always not forsaking us (OPERATION NEHEMIAH MISSIONS).  2014 - 2015 we have a lot to testify about in His name above all names JESUS CHRIST! My heart is just filled with joy and nothing I can really do to express my gratitude but only to say may His name be worshiped and praised forever and ever Amen."

 “As it is written, he scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice, goodness, kindness & benevolence will go on & endure forever!

   And God Who provides seed for the sower & bread for eating will also provide & multiply your resources for sowing & increase the fruits of your righteousness.

  Thus you will be enriched in every way, so that you can be generous, & your generosity as it is administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

   For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints [in Borongole], but it also overflows in many cries of thanksgiving to God.

  Because at your standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty & obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all.

  And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace in you.

  Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! 

2 Cor 9:9-15

*Jonathan recorded an audio book of William Levi’s story, 

THE BIBLE or the AXE: 

One Man’s Dramatic Escape from Persecution in Sudan. 

For your donation, we’ll send you a homemade copy (9 Cd’s) of the audio book or the actual hard copy book,

just let us know which one. 

(please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery).

On Line tax deductible donations can be made on the website  www.operationsnehemiah.org

To Donate scroll to the bottom - Choose option #2 

Then choose PayPal or Credit card  Note:one time or recurring/monthly option.

or

PayPal onlighthouse@gmail.com

       MAIL checks to: OPERATION NEHEMIAH MISSIONS PO Box 2401, Plainville, MA 02762

THANK YOU 

FROM THE PEOPLE OF BORONGOLE, SOUTH SUDAN!!!