Praying that you all had a joy-filled Christmas. We are blessed for the opportunity to focus on Christ's birth in this season. I also hope you had a blessed thanksgiving! We certainly had and have a lot to thank God for!
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| Patience at "Night at Bethlehem" with "Mary" and "Baby Jesus" |
Our little mighty man, Benaiah, is growing faster than a cheetah can run a 100 meters! He is 12 pounds 15 ounces and growing out of all his newborn clothes. He really is a sweet little guy and very contented. Besides getting the cough and cold that has been cycling through our family, he has been very healthy and we are all mostly recovered. Patience is getting more talkative every day and loves her little brother, (sometimes a little to enthusiastically). She loves helping Mama in the kitchen, shovelling snow around the house where we are staying, and going running with Baba (Dad in Madi).
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| A dapper little gentleman. |
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| "Your not taking my picture, are you?" |
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| "I love Benaiah a LOT!!" -Patience |
~ Joyce and I have hearts full of gratitude as we announce that Joyce is now a permanent resident of the United States and has been issued her 10 year Green Card! ~
The way that God got us to the appointment despite many obstacles (Sick kids, a detached front bumper, little sleep, etc.) was amazing. We were thankful for my mother being able to accompany us and help with the children.
What was even more amazing was the peace that Joyce had in going into her interview when we both were anxious about the outcome. The immigration officer only asked Joyce to come into the interview and after 10 minutes she was back out and approved! The inch-thick stack of additional paper documentation we brought was not even looked at! To celebrate we went to our favorite east African Restaurant in Waltham. (Highly recommend the "Taste of Karibu" to those in Eastern MA who would like to enjoy some authentic Chipaati and East African sauces!)
The door is now opened for Joyce to begin filing for her American Citizenship in March of 2020 and it is very possible that she could be a USA citizen by the late fall or sooner! We are excited at the prospect of going back to Africa next fall and Joyce is excited about missing next year's winter!
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| Picnic in the hotel, the night before the immigration interview. |
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| Coming out after a permanent residence granted! |
We want to also thank those who were so generous in the fundraiser started on our behalf in October. The result was that we were able to completely pay off the remaining tuition cost of the Sonship discipleship course we started last year. We had taken a break during chaotic circumstances of our lives this past summer, but are resuming and asking for God's grace to have the needed time through this winter to study.
South Sudan and Uganda have been receiving excessive rains that have continued two months longer then normal. This has caused a lot of problems with storing crops for the coming dry season and many of their harvested stable crops have rotted because of excess moisture. Many families, including Joyce's parents in the refugee camps, have lost their entire sesame harvest(A staple protein that is added to many of their sauces), among other crops. Pray for God's help and provision for these coming months of drought and no rain that will not end until March.
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| The Lueken Family together on Christmas day |
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| Brothers and Sisters out for a walk.... and Patience |
Please pray for:
-Us, that God would make this winter a time for us to be grounded in God's Word and as a family. We hope for some times of productive study in God's word and through our Sonship course in these coming months. We need the Lord to build us up as a family, that He will use our weakness and His strength for His Glory, here and in Africa.
-God's provision and timing for housing that would allow us to continue save for a return to Africa and also be our own space. We are very thankful for where we are now and for the dear friends who are now family, and know this is where the Lord has us for the winter.
-Blessings on the preparations and study Joyce needs to make this winter in filing for her US citizenship in March and taking her civics test in summer or fall of 2020. Also the provision of the fee that the whole process entails.
-Increased Monthly support for us as we look forward to a trip to Africa next year and hoping to help Joyce's family as God provides. We pray that God would not only provide for Joyce's family in their physical needs and the ability to return to South Sudan, but revive and wash them in the Gospel of Grace which will transform their lives.
-The people of South Sudan, those within the country and without, that they would see God's Faithfulness in their lives and be drawn to their Savior and to the Gospel, especially in this season of focusing on Christ's birth.
-An extra measure of Grace for the many families in Uganda and South Sudan who lost needed crops in the unseasonably excessive rains this year.
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| Patience and Uncle Josh |
We cannot thank you enough for your continued prayer and support. Our prayer for you is that Jesus would bless you with more of Himself! Christ the savior was born, died, and rose again on our behalf, the ultimate Christmas gift!
Merry Christmas!
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
