Our Sonship Journey

     As Spring in New England is here, Joyce and I are wanting to begin travelling again to share about the how the Lord is beginning to direct us.

We would love to come share at any churches or small groups, locally in New England & beyond! Please let us know if you have any interest, so

we could see how we could come your way this spring and early summer.

Ready for prayer and fellowship at church

   Joyce and I have finished our first two lessons of the mentored Sonship course through Serge.
https://serge.org/
   We have been blessed and also challenged to honestly look at ourselves. I have seen how prone I am to act like a spiritual "orphan" before God, forgetting the overwhelming love that God has for me, the very reason He sent His Son to this earth! This is one lesson among many that we are learning about ourselves and about the grace of Jesus Christ.
     We are looking forward to the work that God will do in our hearts through this period of spiritual discipleship over the next eight months & beyond.

  Lift us up in your prayers, as we are in the middle of processing Immigration papers to get the two year condition removed from Joyce's Green card and be granted permanent residency. This will pave the way for citizenship in a few years and for the three of us to go back to Africa to visit Joyce's family in South Sudan and Uganda this summer. We are asking God for His timing and provision for the desire of our hearts: that Joyce's family can meet Patience and we can return to Africa for the first time in two years!

Ready to run a St. Patrick's Day Road race

Auntie Emma and Anna joined Patience & Joyce in cheering for Ian and I
at a very cold St. Patrick's Day 10K.

 We have been very busy with various studies and trying to  get outside when the weather is warm enough for Joyce. The highlights of March have been: anticipating the growing season, enjoying a St. Patrick's Day Road race in Holyoke, and having a wonderful and refreshing time with dear friends in Vermont.

Sharing a meal with dear friends!

Dad's "big" catch

Early Morning Snowshoeing Adventure

Patience's favorite books are lion & horse books
& she got to see horses up close 

    Patience is growing at a rapid rate, along with her vocabulary and song repertoire. She dances continually and loves to watch the birds  at the feeders outside our kitchen. "Mama Cardinal flew away?", she often asks. Her little voice is often heard singing at high volumes: "Strongr than dahkness, New ma-ma-morn" (His mercy is More) and "Dibby dibby Dum!" (If I were a Rich Man). She is a joy every day and often makes me crack a smile when I begin to get down.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~The spiritual work to be done in our hearts as we learn more about the love, grace, and mercy of God through the Gospel during our mentorship program.  Lately I have been really struggling and clinging to the Lord. I, personally, have had my eyes opened to false beliefs I held  about the Gospel and I'm realizing my own utter weakness apart from Christ's intervention.

~God's provision for the tuition cost needed for our Sonship course. We hope to put a small initial payment in April and trust God will provide for the rest in the coming months.

~God's favor as we submit Joyce's immigration paper work this week, to remove the two year condition on her Green Card in order to get permanent residency.

~Increased monthly support to prepare us for a return to Africa in Summe or Fall 2019 and to meet our continued monthly expenses here in the US.

~God's direction and guidance for our long term vision to live and work in Africa.

~Joyce's Family and the other South Sudanese refugees, that they might return to their homes soon and that stability would come, not through looking to political figures and negotiations, but through the peace breathing truths of the Gospel transforming people's hearts and lives.

~God's healing and wisdom as my Dad & now myself (Jonathan) are dealing with some chronic sleep issues that have been quite debilitating with my busy schedule.  Also, energy and continued stamina for Joyce as she goes about the daily tasks of cooking and chasing little miss Patience around.

Practicing her music skills

God bless you all!

(Rubanga koco tutu anya ru ga!)

Jonathan and Joyce Lueken

With Patience

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

Worn - A song that can be prayed for ourselves and others

 I reheard this song a few weeks ago and it got my attention. Has anyone felt like this?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM

Worn

Tenth Avenue North

I'm tired
I'm worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing

I've made mistakes
I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
'Cause I'm worn

I know I need
To lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won't let up
And I know that You can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

And my prayers are wearing thin
I'm worn even before the day begins
I'm worn I've lost my will to fight
I'm worn so heaven so come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn
Though I'm worn
Yeah I'm worn

A needed reminder of the Gospel from the Heidelberg Catechism

Our church just covered question #60 in the Heidelberg Catechism and it really struck a note in my heart. As one who habitually is trying to earn God's favor by my own efforts, I really need to recite this to myself on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. I hope it is encouragement to you all as it was for us.

Question #60: How are you right with God? 

Answer: 

Even though my conscience accuses me 

of having grievously sinned against all God's commandments

and of never having kept any of them,

and even though I am still inclined toward all evil,

nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,

out of sheer grace,

God grants and credits to me

the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,

as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner,

as if I had been as perfectly obedient

as Christ was obedient for me.

Rubanga koco(KO-CHOH) tutu anya ru ga! (God bless you!)

Jonathan and Joyce

A New Direction, Same Heartbeat and Calling

Greetings from the Berkshires!

    In previous posts, I mentioned that Joyce and I are in the middle of some major transitions.
I want to take time to share an important update as God is in the middle of leading us.

Announcement of God directing us on from Operation Nehemiah Missions International

       I have been blessed to serve in South Sudan since March 2013. Joyce and I have worked together since January 2016 and had the privilege to serve with Operation Nehemiah Missions for the last five years. I have learned so much through the dear brothers and sisters in the ministry, as well as the various aspects of the ministry we both had opportunity to be involved in. I want to thank everyone in Operation Nehemiah, who have really become our family on so many levels, and will continue to be by God's Grace!

Praying for continued unity in the gospel with our dear brothers and sisters in the Lord
(South Sudan, July 2016)

 Though, we will not be serving under the leadership of Operation Nehemiah at this time. Joyce and I still feel a very strong, long term call to South Sudan, as God is leading us on from Operation Nehemiah to the next avenue of service.

We feel an urgency to be more fully trained/equipped to fully present the Gospel, which we realize more and more is the greatest need in East Africa. Therefore, we need to get some additional discipleship and training to disciple others that we are not currently receiving and God is calling us to "pull up our tent pegs" ministry wise and follow where He will lead.

    Even though we don't know exactly what area of South Sudan we will serve in or who we may be serving with right now, God has given us a directive and calling that is not dependent on a particular country in Africa. If you get a chance, please read our personal mission statement which is posted below and also on the side bar of the blog. >>>>>>>>

      My parents are still our USA support team. We will continue to work together and they will be instrumental in managing affairs for us here, especially when we are in Africa.

   You might be asking, "where are Jonathan and Joyce headed from here?", which is a very good question! The short answer is: We don't know exactly, but God does! Abraham was called to leave all he had known for a foreign land with no known destination and God was faithful to lead him. (Genesis 12:1) We are currently searching out some opportunities for service in East Africa and specifically South Sudan with a plan to return to Africa this fall..

Blessed to be together!

Gospel and Discipleship Training Opportunity for Joyce and I

The next step that we are prayerfully considering is an 9-12 month, one-on-one  discipleship program that Joyce & I both desire to participate in. It is called "Mentored Sonship" offered through Serge, a missionary organization started by "Jack" C. Miller.

https://serge.org/mentoring/mentored-sonship

 It's basic purpose is renewal in the Gospel and how to change head knowledge into a heart warming, life transforming application in our daily lives.

       This is something that both Joyce and I desperately need, as God has been showing me lately how my heart doesn't believe God loves me and I am still trying to daily earn His acceptance, when I already have it through Jesus Christ birth, life, death, and resurrection!

     The lessons are done from home with video meetings with a personal mentor to discuss the lessons and go over assignments. It is a very affordable, self-paced course. We will soon apply as God provides & we are asking Him to open this door in His timing and wisdom. If you have questions about any details on the cost or any other aspects of the training, please shoot me an email or give a call!

Princess Vegetable scooping some power packed nutrition out of a large bowl!

Support Information, and Thanks

   Your support is really crucial at this time, since we have not been able to raise support since spring 2018. We will be looking travel to share with others in 2019 and are asking God to open doors for us. Please let us know if you would like us to come share at your church, small group, or your home!

 As we are not connected to a non-profit at this particular time, we cannot give tax receipts for near future financial support until we have found another sending organization. 

For those who want to financially support us without a tax receipts in this interim time, 

Checks can be sent payable to Jonathan Lueken at our New Address 

PO BOX 1611 Stockbridge, MA 01262 

or  via Paypal through my personal email: 

jonlueken@gmail.com 

Another option for those who do not have PayPal is a temporary GoFund Me link:
 gofundme.com/jonathan-and-joyce-lueken-in-s-sudan 
 until we are connected with a non-profit missionary sending organization

PO Box 1611, 16 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge, MA 01262

PLEASE NOTE: As of February 1st, we will no longer be receiving funds through the Operation Nehemiah website or the "onlighthouse" paypal account(onlighthouse@gmail.com).

Patience carrying "Baby!"

    On behalf of both the African Luekens and "A'bi and "Da'da"(Grandpa and Grandma in Ma'di) Lueken, Joyce and I are so thankful for your prayers and support.  We are in the middle of another great adventure and get to explore another path on God's Trail. As my chaplain from ALERT(Christian Disaster Relief Training I completed in 2010) always used to say, "Remember!..... The excitement never ends!!"  Note prayer requests below...

South Sudan with the Mountains of Uganda in the background(taken in 2016)

Prayer Requests

Please pray for :

-Specific guidance and confirmation from the Lord for our next steps. We know that the Gospel needs to be our primary focus. We also hope to serve in the mercy ministries of Public Health education (Educating in Nutrition, Sanitation, and Health Prevention) and Joyce wants to help other women through getting trained in midwifery. 

-God's provision for increased support for our daily living & training expenses here in the USA. We are trusting in God taking care of us through this time of transition as we face the everyday, as well as  unexpected needs. We also hope to continue to be a blessing to Joyce's family in Africa as God provides the means to do so.

-Pray for my parents as they work alongside us in support and in prayer, that God would provide for their needs, as well.

-The ability, time, and resources for Joyce and me to enroll in the"Mentored Sonship" discipleship program.

-Our hope to return to South Sudan in Summer/fall 2019, after Joyce's Green card renewal is in process and we have a more clear directive for the work we will be doing,

-Continued pouring out of God's Grace and Love on Joyce's family, that they may be drawn closer to the Lord and each other, and be able to return to their homes in S. Sudan with the mercy of Jesus flowing from their hearts.

-Finally that the Prince of Peace would invade the hearts of all South Sudanese and bring true peace to that country.


Final Greetings

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Berkshires! Patience has been continually singing "Bah Rum PUM PUM PUM (Little Drummer Boy is her current favorite song) . Joyce and I had a wonderful two days out in Eastern Massachusetts with my whole family. Special highlight was seeing my sister and brother who I had missed very much. We also enjoyed welcoming the new year with dear friends and family.

Enjoying Christmas with Family! (Mom is Behind the camera
& Patience asleep... can you pick her out?)

     My New Year prayer for the African Lueken Clan and extended to all of you: That this year would give us a greater understanding of God's great love for us in our hearts and that heart knowledge would transform our lives. Praying that through God's Spirit, we could consider others better than ourselves, walking in Christ's Power that is working in us. (Phillipians 2:1-8). Thank you for the gift that each of you have been to us!

Patience says "Thank You!" with her crinkled face.

God bless you with His Love in this new year and as always,

Rubanga Kolu anyito(God be with you)!

~Jonathan and Joyce Lueken 

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

To unsubscribe from my update list please send me a quick response and I will take you off per your request.

Jonathan and Joyce's Personal Mission Statement

Jonathan and Joyce Lueken's Personal Missions Statement and Calling from the Lord

In March 2013, after feeling a call to serve the Lord in cross cultural mission, I, Jonathan Lueken, took a two month missions trip to South Sudan. I did not know what God’s long term plan would look like, but enabled by faith, I took the step to go. 

The result was that through working with Operation Nehemiah Missions, I was blessed with the opportunity to preach on the radio, work in agriculture, learn various skills required in rural Africa, and just do life with the people. I fell in love with South Sudan and decided I would go back. Little did I know that one of the young women from the village who was preparing food for me and the missionary family I was with, would become my wife and lifelong partner in serving the people of South Sudan and preaching the Gospel. Returning trips of increased duration confirmed to my heart that the Republic of South Sudan was where God was calling me, to join hands with and live alongside the people.

While I was a boy raised by parents in New England involved in domestic missions and ministry work, Joyce grew up as a South Sudanese in a refugee settlement in Uganda. She helped her father and mother take care of their large family - and they didn’t return to her homeland until she was eighteen. Joyce always felt a desire to serve others and her love of hospitality easily translated to serving others medically after finishing her nursing assistant’s course in 2015. With me working in Eastern Equatoria state, South Sudan since 2013, Joyce and I began working together medically in 2015. Then, in 2016, we were married and blessed with our daughter, Patience Rozana Lueken, just one year later.

In Africa, we have seen the stark contrast between what is often spoken in the pulpit and the actual fruit of believers’ lives. Cultural Christianity and works-salvation produce only an outward religiosity that blinds us to our own sin and brings forth an attitude of judgment, instead of love and grace for ourselves and others that fall short. Joyce was rescued by the Lord, coming from a nominal religious family that was involved with the religious activities of their church. She sees now how the teaching she received was focused on outward works and not the motives of the heart. “My major concern for my people back in S. Sudan is that they understand the True Gospel. It is NOT: If you do good, you will be saved; But to know that apart from the Mercy and Grace of God there is nothing we can do to be saved. We are weak all the time and need a Savior!”  Joyce and I have needed the Lord to show us our blind spots to the Gospel - and through trials in our lives, He has begun to reveal to us the great love that is found in Jesus Christ. Oh, what joy!

We desire that others would know this love, that we might share through the preaching of the Word and the living out of our daily lives before the community God puts us in. I personally feel overwhelmed as I think of the 3.5 billion + people who have not heard or understood the Gospel. I am unable to effect the change of any sinner’s heart, including my own, but look to amazing power of the blood of Jesus and His Mercy that delivered my soul from death and can do the same for others. 

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:3-7

We desire to live and raise our family in Africa and Lord willing, specifically South Sudan. God has put a passion in our hearts for those in South Sudan and in Africa to truly understand the Gospel of Grace and the gift of life through Jesus Christ.

^“ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

A personal burden we have is for Joyce’s immediate family who are spread out in various refugee camps in Northern Uganda. We are praying that they can soon return to their home in South Sudan, but more importantly that each one who has not discovered God’s Love would be transformed by the Gospel. We are asking God for opportunities for Joyce, Patience, and I to love and serve them as vessels of God’s Grace.

      

We do see the need to be equipped and prepared to fully present the Gospel. We are asking the Lord how we might be directed to specific training in the next few years, as it will take time for my wife’s immigration status in the USA to stabilize - which will then free us to live in South Sudan full time. Theological or seminary training, along with some practical internship opportunities are options that we are currently asking for the Lord to direct us in. 

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:3-4. 

Our single desire is that the truths of God’s Word would be heard in a clear and understandable way through us - directed by the Holy Spirit to the hearts that need to receive him.

^“ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching….Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:13; 16

While sharing the Gospel will always be our primary goal, secondarily we hope to continue to help others medically and through preventative health education. The medical skills which God has given Joyce through her Nursing Assistants training, and me through EMT work and other courses, will continue to be a part of showing God’s mercy to others. Opportunities to pray with and for those who are sick, as well as speak of their spiritual needs will be a door for us to extend the Gospel wherever the Lord brings us. 

^“ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:14-16

There is a definite long-term call for Joyce and I in South Sudan, but we are willing to go anywhere in Africa that God would lead us. We are weak people depending on a powerful Savior and want others to know His love throughout the continent. 

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”.

 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Thank you for allowing us to share our hearts with you. We deeply value your input and continuing prayers for our lives.

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”  Timothy 4:10

Jonathan and Joyce Lueken     jonlueken@gmail.com 774-203-8308 

A Resting Place: A Praise Report!

Hello there!

Patience takes a spin!

    Greetings from the Berkshires, where the effects of winter are beginning to be felt and we have seen a few flurries and a bigger snow in the last week. Joyce isn't thrilled about the onset of the cold weather, but is making the best of it and is adapting through wearing many layers and staying near the heat. She helped me throw some snow in our last storm!

Bundle up!

   I promised I would be sharing about God's provision for our housing and I am praising the Lord that I can do it in this blog post!
     After getting back from our trip we spent two and a half weeks staying with friends and family, praying and looking for housing in the Berkshires. A couple weeks ago, we came back to Western MA and found our accommodations with friends had fallen through, leaving us without a place to stay for the night! I called a couple whom we had met a week earlier and they introduced us to good friends of theirs and shared our situation with them.
    After asking some questions and consulting together in prayer, this dear Christian couple took my family and my parents in on the spot, not only for the night, but as long as we needed  a place to stay! They offered us two very large rooms and a shared kitchen space in a large 1700's farm house that we are renting. Solid Rock Farm is a place dedicated for the Lord's service and their heart is "educating members in life, farming, and creative art skills, acknowledging God as our provider." I am able to do work at their farm in exchange for rent and it is situated in the beautiful town of Stockbridge, MA. Joyce is enjoying cooking up a storm here and is keeping busy cleaning and chasing Patience around, who is now running!

Our new residence.

The sitting area of our room.

Elegant and comfortable living quarters.

Patience and Dada touring the farm.

      Joyce and I do hope to eventually find an apartment or place that is our own space and there is potential for that in the future, on the farm property. We are so blessed by this timely provision and meeting a brother and sister in the Lord who are quickly becoming like family!

Running and wrestling!

     I have started riding with a local ambulance service as I build up medical experience for our return to Africa. I am prayerfully considering opportunities for theological training that would better enable me to interpret God's word and clearly communicate the Gospel.

     I want to send a big thank you for those who sent birthday wishes and cards to Joyce for her 26th birthday on October 26th. I didn't do an official blog post, but Joyce was so blessed by the kind thoughts and words sent her way. She never has experienced a birthday like that before.

A little birthday gathering with family

A wall of birthday cards!

Patience enjoyed wearing the packaging.

   I can't thank you enough for your prayers in this time of waiting. Joyce and I are still facing some major transitions ahead of us as we wait to go back to S. Sudan next year, but are thankful for a place to rest our head.  We will keep you informed as it all becomes more clear in the Lord's perfect timing.

Picnicking in warmer climates

Please Pray for:

~Joyce's mother in Uganda who is suffering from a chronic and debilitating ailment.

~God's direction for Joyce and I as we look for wisdom in the face of transition and for the preparation He has for us as we wait to go back to Africa.

~Our friends Katherine and Tombe Isaac in South Sudan, as they struggle through a grueling visa process in order to come visit family in the USA. Pray that the Lord opens the doors and removes the road blocks, giving them patience as they wait on God's timing.

~The South Sudanese, that they might all come to know Jesus as their true Lord and Savior. It is only through the pulling down of hatred in men's hearts through the Gospel that will enable them to build a true peace and Godly stability in their nation.

We are very grateful for the thoughts and prayers you have been sending our way and that encouragement lifts up our hands and hearts!

Patience first time as a wedding guest.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and God bless you!

Jonathan, Joyce, and Patience
Phone #: 774-203-8308

Six Weeks of Sojourning (and counting...)

Patience Takes the wheel!

Merriam-Webster defines Sojourn as: a period of time when you stay in a place as a traveler or guest. That would describe our nomadic movements in the last several weeks quite accurately & we could go by the title "sojourners". On September 15th, Joyce, Patience, and I, along with my parents jumped into our van and set off on an epic adventure! All our belongings were in storage and our home became a red Honda Odyssey AND the hearts and homes that would welcome us during our traverse.

Friends of many years in VA

"Hanging out in Free Onion!"

Former Neighbors and good friends relocated from the Berkshires!

Two Jonathans' reconnect after three years!

Enjoying fellowship in TN

    We were blessed to fellowship with friends and family across Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee as we steadily peregrinated southwards. Growing up, it was not unheard of for the Lueken clan to travel 11+ hours in a day, but in order to preserve my wife's sanity and not provoke my daughter to the extreme opposite of her name we decided to break up the travel into manageable, 2-5 hour sections. It was more bearable for my wife (who had never traveled farther than 5 hours away from her home before she met me) and a lot more pleasurable way of seeing the beautiful country that is the USA. During our trip Patience made a lot of friends!

Just over the border of North Carolina!

Buddies!

Eating green beans and watching bunnies

    The first goal  in the journey was for Joyce and I to attend a Community Health Evangelism (CHE) Course in Marion, NC  from Sept. 23-28.  Equip International graciously accommodated us in a 3 bedroom living quarters that enabled my father and mother to watch Patience, while Joyce and I attended classes throughout the week. 

Group activity

Role play: I was a four year old asking food from a drunk father

   

Student Discussion

  Each day was started with a time of worship and morning devotions that was encouraging and challenging at the same time. The daily lessons were very participatory and required great amounts of student involvement/input. The instructors would often lead us to find our own answers to questions asked. In a very hands on way we learned:

-How to build a relationship with a community;
-Help them  to identify their own problems and needs within the community;
-Point them to the 1st and foremost solution that targets their hearts; a need for a Savior and discovering the grace found through the Lord Jesus Christ.
-Encourage community and individual ownership of the wholistic interventions and solutions to spiritual, physical, emotional, and social health.
-Encourage evangelism and the planting of Churches
-Train them so they can train other communities and villages.

Patience making new friends

Dinner buddies

CHE class of September 2018

    The relationships built with other students (who are also involved in missions and Christian ministry work domestically and internationally) would have been worth the price of tuition alone. Fellowship over meals, chatting between classes, and time together after the daily sessions was encouraging and revitalizing. I even got to do a workout with a professional wrestler who is going to the mission field!
      Joyce and I are really excited to implement this training as soon as we get back to Africa!

Visiting with Donald and Ruth Fonseca, former missionaries to South Sudan and East Africa in the 1950's.

     We were blessed by the highlight of visiting former missionaries to South Sudan and East Africa, Donald and Ruth Fonseca in TN. They worked with Joyce's Great Grandfather in Opari, S. Sudan from 1957 to 1963 and had a lot of stories. At 86, he is still full of energy and can still speak the language! They both still speak fondly of their time in Africa and what Don calls "going to Madi University", by learning about the people, language, and culture.  

Gospel-centered discussion, prayer, and laughter.

    The return trip included more visiting of friends and we also had a blessed time of talking to and praying with Paul Washer and the African coordinator at Heart Cry Missionary Society in VA. We reached New England on October 15th, a month after starting our travels. 

Patience Learning from her Mama 

     We have continued to visit friends and family in the New England area, including attending an EMT conference and a wedding. Currently Joyce and I are searching for a home in the Berkshires/Western MA area(though we are willing to go anywhere He would lead us) and my parents are also looking for housing that would be separate from us, but hopefully close by. We will keep you updated and eagerly await to share the praise report of God's provision as it comes!

    Until we have a permanent address we will be receiving personal and ministry mail 
C/O 86 E Bacon Street, Plainville, MA, 02762
    

Hiking Sharps Ridge in Knoxville, TN

    Thank you for your prayers for:

   ~ God's plan for housing for Joyce and I and for my parents. I hope to begin training to work with the Lee EMS and ambulance service as soon as we have a place to stay in the area.

   ~ Grace for Joyce as she has a hard time travelling and both of  us are getting tired of the frequent nomadic movements.

   ~ God's direction for Joyce and I concerning His timing for us going back to S. Sudan.

   ~ Encouragement for Joyce's family as they live with the reality of Lodu's passing and that they would encounter more of God's Grace and Love every day.

    ~ Understanding of God's grace and Salvation for the leaders and people of S. Sudan, as the peace agreement has been signed and hope of people returning to their homes with hearts transformed by the Gospel.

Rubanga kolu nyito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan and Joyce and Patience Lueken 
 Phone #: 774-203-8308
Temporary Address: 86 E Bacon St, Plainville, MA, 02762