For my Dear Joyce...

 

   

 Today, October 26th, happens to be a  very special day for myself and my family. Twenty Eight years ago on this day, My wife, Gune(GOO-NAY) Joyce Kenyi, was born in an refuge camp in Uganda. Little did a South Sudanese girl or a young New Hampshire boy growing up in New England know, that they would one day find their spouse from half way across the world. 

Working in a clinic during our courtship

First Christmas together

    My first observations of Joyce were of her quietly serving and helping others as she cooked, cleaned, and treated others medically in South Sudan. My admiration for the quiet strength that God has given her has only grown. She is such a blessing to me and our children, diligently cleaning, cooking for us and loving us on a daily basis. I have seen how many are drawn to her humble and considerate character. Joyce is a woman of few words, but when she speaks people listen to her thoughtful perspective.  I have learned so much from her, including:

Working Together

`-How to hammer a nail into a cement wall.

-How to carve a hoe handle with a machete.

-How to carry things on my head.

- Taking care of patients at a clinic and not accidently killing them...

-Getting the rest I need..

-Selflessly loving others..

-Patiently waiting on the Lord...

-Having a sense of humor in the midst of challenges.

Adventures together!

Hiking with an excited Patience!

    God's Grace has been poured out on Joyce and she is the best wife and mother a man could ask for. I thank God for Joyce every day and she is tirelessly serving our family daily. The two beautiful children God has given us definitely have Mama to thank for their good looks. They got their hyperactive energy from me. As the Lord leads us into serving and hopefully living in Africa, I couldn't ask for a better friend and help mate. I consider being her husband the greatest job in the world and look forward to the lifetime of adventures God has in store for us. 

"We love Mama"

Joyce, you bless many and are dearly loved. Jesus loves you more than I ever could, so I am praying that He gives me more of His love for you. I fall so short, but desperately desire to love and serve you as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:25) I also pray that you experience more of the Lord's love and grace this year than ever before. (2 Corinthians 13:14) Ma'le Nyi Ndo!

Happy Birthday!

Following God together around the next bend in His Trail.

Your Husband,

Jona

 

He Brought Us Through! An Immigration Miracle!

    Heartfelt Greetings to you!

 I am very excited as I write this with very good reason. Many of you may have heard the wonderful report of God's Faithfulness on Facebook via our travelling press person (AKA my mother). For those who haven't heard or would like to read a first-person account of our immigration miracle, please read on!

Patience and Benaiah say: "Ingoni(Hello)!"

    Joyce and I want to begin by thanking those who have been apart of our immigration journey since 2016 and have supported us through prayer, letters, and words of encouragement. We cannot thank you enough for how you have walked alongside us in this! 

    It has been a long road of paper trails, last minute travels, late nights on the computer, and anxiety in wondering if we brought the right documentation. There have been depths of deep frustration and heights of awe at God’s providential intervention. The past four years often seemed to crawl by and yet the process was speedily expedited by the Lord, so that we got paperwork though much quicker than usual. Praise the Lord! 

    The culmination of this journey was Joyce’s naturalization/citizenship test that took place on October 6th, 2020. We had applied in May of this year and were scheduled for an interview by the end of August. Many 2019 applicants are still waiting for an interview so this was uncharacteristically quick. In preparation for our trip, we misplaced important identification for Joyce, but found it the next day. Our car started driving rough as we got to the hotel, but we prayed and asked the Lord to get us to the interview the next day.

Playing in the leaves outside the hotel

    Finally D-Day came. Joyce and I were both anxious, but Joyce had studied hard and we put the rest in God’s hands. I was denied access at the door and Joyce went into the immigration office alone. I rejoined my mother and the children outside and waited. Patience made a grandfatherly friend who was showing her how to jump up and down and do a “tight rope” walk. He turned out to be a fellow believer and a pastor of a church near the Berkshires! Thirty minutes after Joyce entered, we received a text from Joyce: She had passed with flying colors and was waiting for her swearing in ceremony. Due to Covid-19, they did not allow families to come inside for the swearing in ceremony, but we were waiting outside to welcome her with open arms. Our van had no problems that day and our drive back home was uneventful.

Joyce, the new USA Citizen

Yay for God and Mama!

    Joyce is a United States citizen! This is a huge milestone for us and we thank God for the stability that Joyce now has, as we will be travelling back and forth from South Sudan to the USA. We now are planning for a trip to Africa in winter 2020/2021. The hope is to stay for two to three months and get some quality time with Joyce’s family. We are also praying for an opportunity to assist getting her parents, brothers, and sisters back to their homes in South Sudan. Passports and Yellow fever vaccines for Joyce and the children need to fall into place before we can book flights, so we are trusting in the Lord’s timing. We will keep you updated on the progress of travel preparations and when we have set a date for our travels.

 

Enjoying the leaves on a family walk

Running with Baba!

    October 12th was Benaiah’s birthday and we celebrated the anniversary of his first year with a healthy sweet potato corn bread cake. He just took his first steps as I was writing the post! Happy Birthday Benaiah! 

First Cake... Benaiah is thinking about it,

 Prayer needs:

 -Continued prayer for Lozi, who went for a check up on October 14th. Unfortunately, the outcome was that the Doctors said there was nothing more they could do at this point, but hope for improvement of the infection and the leg, and are continuing to monitor. Lozi is back home with family. Pray for his physical healing and a spiritual renewal in his heart to experience the grace and mercy of Jesus on his behalf.

 -Joyce’s father was diagnosed with an ulcer and malaria and her Mother has been experiencing chronic back pain from a degenerating lower back. They were seen at a clinic and have both received treatment. There is some improvement, but keep praying for their continued healing. 

 -Preparations for a winter trip to South Sudan and God’s timing for our travels. 

 -Time needed for our Sonship studies and for the Lord to prepare our hearts spiritually to reach others with His Grace, both here in the states and in Africa.

Fall in the Berkshires

 That’s all for now. God bless you and keep you! 

Jonathan, Joyce, Patience, and Benaiah

Prayer Update for Joyce's cousin, Lozi

Thank you for your prayers for Joyce and I's cousin, Lozi, and I wanted to give an update.

"Lozi and his Mother"(picture above). The infection in his leg is quite deep and has gone to the bone marrow. He has just been sent home from the regional hospital after a month and a half stay. They have scheduled him to come back on October 14th to do another surgery, this time to remove the infected bone. The previous surgeries have failed. Lozi is able to walk at this point, but he can't bend his leg because of the inflammation and pain. We really need to pray for Lozi as the infection has gotten out of hand and could become critical at any moment. Joyce and I's desire for Lozi is healing, spiritual and physical. We so want his leg to heal in order that he can continue to help his Mother, play Futball(Soccer), and go to school. We pray the he could return to being a healthy young man. Beyond that, I pray that God would touch Lozi in the middle of this trial and reveal to him how much he is loved by his Savior. Jesus was beaten, whipped, and was killed for his sake. Isaiah 53:4-5: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Jesus knows the pain he is going through and weeps with him (John 11:33-36). I want Lozi to have a new revelation of God's Grace and mercy that would open his eyes and heart to a deeper relationship with God, his Father. That he would learn to abide in God's love (John 15:9) and be able to give the comfort and compassion that he has (and will) receive to others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." I know that the Lord Jesus hears our prayers and that even now is interceding for Lozi and each one of us. (Romans 8:34) Jesus will touch our dear cousin and friend in the way that He knows is best. Thank you for your prayers!

Also pray for Joyce and I as we travel to Joyce's Citizenship interview that will take place on October 6th at 12:30. My prayer is for God's favor and blessing on all of Joyce's preparations. Thank you! Jonathan, Joyce, Patience, and Benaiah!

A Home Provided and crying out for God's Mercy; Update from Jon and Joyce

"Grace, mercy, & peace will be with us, from God the Father & from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth & love." 2 John 1:3.

 I hope you are all feeling God's presence and clinging to Him in this time of uncertainty. We are holding onto the Lord and have seen both blessings and challenges in the last several months. We have some very big blessings in our life to share with you so you can rejoice with us and also pray for us.

    Our family activity level is rising everyday as Patience is becoming more verbally eloquent and Benaiah is crawling faster than an African lizard chasing a beetle! The kids love to be outside and Joyce has greatly appreciated the warmer weather, though dreading the looming approach of winter. Planting, Going to Farmer’s Markets, barefoot running (Jonathan’s crazy pastime), and taking walks has occupied a good part of our summer. Here in the Berkshires we have begun to enjoy fresh apples and a tinge of color in the foliage.

Hiking with "Baba".

Benaiah loves fresh Corn!

Family hike on Mahanna Cobble.

Harvesting Asobi(Black-eyed Pea Greens)

          

  

Our first big praise report is the provision of housing!

From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank the dear friends who let us stay in their home for a whole year before we found this place! You will always be family “Papa” and “Grandma”.  

In the beginning of July, we were able to move into a small cottage in Lenoxdale, MA. We are renting from the lady who was the midwife for our son Benaiah and it really has been a mutual blessing to be here. In addition to affordable housing in a beautiful little town, Joyce is getting one-on-one mentorship in midwifery, which has been the desire of her heart. It has been a great joy to have our own space as a family, with a beautiful piece of land for the children to play on.

Our New Home!

A woodstove to keep Joyce warm.

Our Living room and Dining Room

Joyce has just finished a Doula/birth assistant workshop and after some required study and attending some births, she will be certified as a Doula to help mothers before, during, and after childbirth. A big thank you to all those who helped with driving Joyce and taking care of the kids! This is the beginning of our vision for Joyce to help mothers in South Sudan and East Africa and for us to work together in public health education that will save lives by preventing many disease and complications in the community we will be serving. We are excited for Joyce’s opportunity to learn from our midwife and for more educational and practical opportunities to equip her for our return to Africa.

 

Joyce's Doula Training

The Birth Circle in our backyard.

Another very big praise we have is concerning Joyce’s citizenship process. We have been waiting for an interview to be scheduled for Joyce’s citizenship test and the date has finally been set. This is a great miracle, as we only applied back in the spring and some applicants who applied in 2019 still haven’t been scheduled. The day is October 6^th and we greatly appreciate your prayers as Joyce tries to find time, between taking care of the kids, to study and prepare. Once Joyce is a citizen, we would be able to freely move in and out of the USA without any fear of being blocked entrance.

 

 Our hearts desire is to travel to Africa in late fall or early winter 2020/2021. We are yearning for a reunion with Joyce’s family and asking God to make a way. There is a list of things that need to come together such as Joyce‘s citizenship, Passports, Yellow Fever Vaccines, and open borders. We know God has the perfect timing for our trip and are taking the steps that we can, trusting that He will take care of the rest.

Bath Time!

 

Patience the acrobat!

"We love Mama!"

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all those who have and are supporting us, whether it is through prayer or by giving. God has been generous in many creative ways to supply our daily needs and the ability to help Joyce’s family in Africa. For those who are supporting us or who might consider supporting financially, please know that we are putting the funds we receive towards:

 -Communications with our family in South Sudan/Uganda

-Preparations for our upcoming trip to Africa

-Helping Joyce’s family with any pressing needs that arise.

 

We have been busy in the last several months and I have not had a chance to send an update (I had a fully composed blog post deleted on me a month ago, Technology is great when it works!). Even though there has been a lack of posting on our end, we are always grateful for your prayer and support that we receive. Thank you for partnering with us as we follow God’s trail back to East Africa and pray that we can be a light of the Gospel to our family and people there.

 

 

The African Luekens

For those who wish to pray for us, our prayer needs are:

 

~Studying and preparation for Joyce’s citizenship test which is scheduled for October 6. We are at two weeks and counting!

 

~The Lord’s blessing on Joyce as she learns from a seasoned midwife and prepares to help mothers in S Sudan and East Africa.

 

~ The time needed to continue working through our Mentored Sonship Discipleship course, while juggling the daily activities of a busy family.

 

~For borders to be open and preparations completed for a late fall or early winter 2020/21 trip to visit Joyce’s family in South Sudan. We can’t wait to see all of our dear family there and trusting God will open the way in His timing.

 

~ Joyce’s cousin in the refugee camps who has a severe infection in his leg and has not received proper care from the medical facilities there, allowing the infection to spread. He has been dealing with this problem for years and has not received the proper diagnosis and treatment, even from the largest regional hospital. A very similar situation to what Joyce’s brother Lodu (AKA “Reggae”) went through. We are praying for healing, but also that God would speak to his heart and use the physical trials he is going through to draw him closer to Jesus.

 

~The Gospel of Jesus Christ to continue to spread into the hearts of Joyce’s family, her people in South Sudan, and those in the Refugee camps.

 

 

Rubanga Kolu Anyito (God be with you all)!

Jonathan, Joyce, Patience, and Benaiah

Phone #: 774-203-8308

 

PayPal jonlueken@gmail.com  

 

Mail checks PAYABLE to Jonathan Lueken   

PO Box 1611 Stockbridge, MA, 01262

 

Temporary GoFundMe link for those who don't have Paypal: www.gofundme.com/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

Thankfulness for the birth of our Savior and an Immigration Milestone!

Ingoni (Hello)!

  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!

Patience at "Night at Bethlehem" with "Mary" and "Baby Jesus"

A lot of happenings here in our life and I wanted to give an update and share a praise report Below!

      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).

A dapper little gentleman.

"Your not taking my picture, are you?"

"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!

Picnic in the hotel, the night before the immigration interview.

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.

The Lueken Family together on Christmas day

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.

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

 

Three ways to conitnue to financially support us

PayPal jonlueken@gmail.com  

 Mail checks payable to Jonathan and Joyce Lueken   

PO Box 1611 Stockbridge, MA, 01262

Temporary Go Fund Me link for those who don't have PayPal:

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

A long overdue update, a Due date, and a Birth!

It has been a long while and the adventure of our lives continues! It's been quite a busy time and I admit that I have not had time to catch my breath and sit down to write a blog post. Joyce and I are still in search of housing, but very thankful for friends-become-family that have opened their home to us and have become unofficially adopted grandparents for Patience.

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

Three ways to conitnue to financially support us

PayPal jonlueken@gmail.com  

 Mail checks payable to Jonathan and Joyce Lueken   

PO Box 1611 Stockbridge, MA, 01262

Temporary Go Fund Me link for those who dont have PayPal:

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