 |
| Patience playing with some Animal Friends |
 |
| On another adventure! |
Starting in November, For anyone in the New England or NY/PA area, we are looking for opportunities to travel on the weekends to share about the calling God is leading us into as He prepares us to return to Africa. I would be available to come share and preach on request at your church, small group, or in your home. Please let us know if you are interested!
We had to put the house search on a temporary hold to focus on getting ready for the birth of our second child. The due date of October 11th was rapidly approaching and we rushed to get everything in order. Considering Patience's birth (@ 41 weeks and 43 hour labor) we expected Joyce to be a little late with this child and the labor to be gradual and slow, but that was not the case!
I got home late on Friday finding Joyce had mild contractions since 5pm that were fairly consistent. Needless to say, I packed my hospital bags (Joyce had hers packed) before trying to get some rest, while recording contraction through the night. Early AM, I called our midwife to come help Joyce labor. I told her that there was plenty time for her to come out and didn't think we needed to head to the hospital yet. Boy, was I wrong!
Shortly after I hung up the phone with our midwife, Joyce began to have jackhammer contractions at 3 minutes apart and her water broke! It was time to call for an ambulance, which arrived to transport us with a paramedic escort, lights and sirens.
Our midwife met us at the hospital and within 20 minutes our baby boy arrived! Joyce pushed the baby out like a navy seal pushes out push ups! I was able to catch the baby (I didn't drop him!) and I cut the cord. Joyce did have to get some stitches for a minor tear, and all seemed well, but then there were unforeseen complications for Joyce & we spent 5 days in the hospital. Perhaps God knew that we needed the quiet & the rest. We were the only patients in the maternity ward for the first 3 days and the nursing staff were very attentive.
 |
| Our Little man! |
 |
| Born with a head of hair like Patience |
I am happy to announce the arrival of Benaiah Anjovule Albert Lueken at 7lbs, 1 oz. and 19 in. @ 6:27 AM on October 12th.
-Benaiah means "the Lord builds" and was one of David's Mighty men. Read of what God made this once outcast and rebel to become and do in 2 Samuel 23:20-23 , and 1 Chronicles 11:22-25.
-Anjovule is the Madi word for "Joy comes after" and is in honor of Joyce's brother, Lodu "Reggae" Kenyi, who passed away Oct. 3, 2018, after a severe and longstanding illness. We miss you, Lodu!
-Albert is to honor Joyce's father, Benaiah and Patience's Grandfather in Africa.
~If friends and family in the area would like to come see Joyce and the baby please call us or send an email and we will give you our temporary address and arrange a time that would be good for a visit~
 |
| Patience meets her brother. |
 |
| I Love Mama! |
Joyce and I would like to publicly praise and thank God for His hand of protection over Joyce and Benaiah. Our little boy has a head of black hair and is a vigorous sucker of anything placed in his mouth. Patience was very excited to meet her little brother and wanted to "pick Benaiah up", but we decided, after watching her drop her baby doll on its head, that we would wait awhile on that.
We also want to thank those who God used to help us in this journey. Sushilla has been such a supportive midwife and great blessing to us. She has poured all she knows into Joyce, since she knows Joyce wants to be a midwife. Our dear friends Brian and Lucy, whom we live with, have helped us so much with Patience and been a great support to Joyce when I have been away from the house and during the early AM labor. Mom and Dad continue to be wonderful grandparents and loving parents to both of us, helping wherever they can. The EMT's and Paramedics of Otis ambulance and Southern Berkshire ambulance did their jobs well and gave me confidence that if the baby came while on the road, he would have a warm delivery place. The Doctors, Midwives, nurses and staff of Fairview Hospital have been wonderfully caring and providing all our needs while we have been here.
God is good and truly gently leads those who have young (Isaiah 40:11).
 |
| Baba (Madi for Dad) after receiving Benaiah. |
 |
| Da'da(Grandma) and Benaiah |
 |
| A'bi(Grandpa) and Patience saying Hello! |
Please continue to pray for us:
-A complete recovery of Joyce strength and healing for the stitches and her whole body as she struggles with anemia & post delivery complications. Also for Benaiah to stay healthy and well, even with Patience and I fighting colds.
-God's timing, guidance, and provision for housing and a place of our own that He has for us.
-The time and ability to resume and finish the Sonship course, an in-depth study of God's Word, that is pivotal for preparing us for future ministry to Africa as we really want to put sufficient time into our studies to get full steeped in the Gospel. We are a quarter of the way through the course and have paid part of the tuition. We are asking God to help Joyce and I balance taking care of the physical needs of our family with the spiritual growth we desire in our relationship with the Lord and any future ministry He has for us.
-Continue to pray for Joyce's family that they would all be drawn to the love of Jesus and a close relationship with Him.
-The provision and timing for our desire to take a trip to Africa next year, once Benaiah is older, to visit Joyce's family and our dear friends in Uganda and S. Sudan.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support which is greatly appreciated! We will keep you posted as the adventure continues!
God bless you all!
(Rubanga koco tutu anya ru ga!)
Jonathan and Joyce Lueken
With Patience and Benaiah!
Phone #: 774-203-8308
Mail checks payable to Jonathan and Joyce Lueken
PO Box 1611 Stockbridge, MA, 01262
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/jonathan-and-joyce-lueken-in-s-sudan
Jonathan and Joyce Lueken
Roger and Pattty Lueken
PO Box 1611, 16 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge, MA, 01262
