It is nice to be back in the States for a little while, but since I keep forgetting my camera in the car, this update won’t have the usual assortment of pictures with it, sorry. I will try to get some pictures posted soon.
There are so many things over the last several years that I have gotten accustomed to doing without and have either forgotten about or stopped missing them. I like going through the stores when I come back and I am always fascinated by the various new American products, food items, and computer toys that appear. I never stop missing the peanut butter and spicy food, but this time I was also drawn to some of the new technological gadgets as well… J
Antioch has begun its usual summer slowdown with fewer meetings and trainings scheduled for June and July. Churches always have a lot of evangelism, children’s camps, and activities planned for the summer months, so we don’t hold too many training sessions. Although most of the Antioch team are very active in their local churches during this time, the summer months also allow us time to do planning and preparation for the upcoming busy fall and winter months. Please pray that God would bless the summer evangelism and outreach projects that directly contribute to the church planting efforts of the leaders and teams, which we have trained through Antioch
The Spanish church continues to experience the ups and downs of a foreign language church in Kyiv. Summer months see many students returning to their home countries or traveling abroad for work and vacation. The weather is beautiful though and the ones who remain have been having picnics and get-togethers down by the river. One big bit of news is about the current leader/pastor Raidel. He has been working at a company that recently asked him to move to Brazil for several years to work more intimately with the company offices there and in other South American countries. He has prayed quite a bit about this and God seems to be opening all the doors, so he will most likely be leaving in late July. We don’t know yet what exactly this will do to the church and who will be stepping up to fill some of the opening leadership needs. It will mean that I will have to preach a little more frequently at first and help out more with coordinating among the other leaders. Please pray that God will lead us in determining how to best continue this ministry.
Since I haven’t written very much about my girlfriend Irena in the regular updates, it is perhaps not all that surprising that I have been answering as many questions about her as there are about the good things happening in my ministry. J For those of you who have been keeping up with it, Irena did receive her American Visa (God blessed her with a five year, multiple entry Visa) and she will be coming to the US in June for several weeks. She will get to meet some of my family while she is here, and we even hope to connect for a couple days with my brother Ramon, who will be back from China for about a month starting in late July.
Speaking of Ramon in China, he continues to live in Chengdu and teach English as well as play/sing in the band Redwater. He was riding his motorcycle with some friends on May 12 when the 7.8 earthquake hit. He was just slightly outside the earthquake epicenter when it occurred and God miraculously kept him and his traveling companions safe as the roads and towns were wiped out around them and they were forced to hike out of the devastated area. He is doing well, although he reports that the continuing aftershocks continue to do more damage, wake them at night, and affect people’s nerves.
Support raising update:
It has been wonderful to be able to spend a little more time in America this time and share with many of my supporting churches and individuals, as well as present the ministry before new groups. Although much of my time and weekends have been busy, I still do have available times and dates in June and July and would love to share more about my ministry with you. If you or your church is interested in hearing more please send me an email to joelcolon@mac.com or call 828 286 1572 and we can arrange a time to get together.
I am looking to raise about $1700 more in monthly commitments for the expanding ministry expenses of training and coaching pastors, leaders and church planting groups. This breaks down to about 34 churches/couples/individuals willing to commit to $50 a month. Please pray whether God is leading you to partner with me in this ministry.
Praise God that:
1. My girlfriend Irena received a Visa and will be coming to the United States for a visit in June.
2. My mother received her Doctorate of Nursing from USC after a long educational journey.
3. God kept Ramon safe through the earthquake in China.
Please Pray for:
1. That God would continue to open new doors as I raise funds until returning to Ukraine in late July.
2. That the Spanish church would receive clear direction from God in the midst of Raidel’s leaving.
3. Summer evangelism and children’s ministries during the summer months.
In Christ,
Joel
PS If the pictures don’t come through you can see them at:
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