Anabaptist International Ministries

This month’s happenings included the following:

• Jewel was super happy to host her siblings, Matt, Marcus, Melody, and Nate for ten days. Since Matt had lived here for three years, it was a good chance to reconnect with local friends and visit old haunts.
• Anita flew to Arkansas to teach at Calvary Bible School for six weeks. Jewel Yoder from Kansas is coming to be her substitute and experience this kind of service for the month of March.
• The school was closed for a two-week winter break. This is a chance for many students and their families to go skiing in other parts of Europe. The teachers always welcome this breather. Regina, Ria, and Jewel took advantage of cheap plane tickets to Rome and spent a week being tourists there. They also spent two days near Krakow visiting Graceland Ministries, which operates an English school as a means of being a Christian witness. Their experience and input is refreshing and encouraging to us.

Several young men are considering the possibility of serving in Poland beginning this fall. Pray that God will direct their decisions and give them peace.

The happenings this month include the following:

1. Some of the girls organized a New Year’s Eve party at the school for any friends who wanted to celebrate with games and fun. It was a great alternative to the wild drinking parties that the majority of Polish people have that night. Afterwards, everyone was blown away with the amazing fireworks that were all over the town.
2. Anita and Regina spent 2 weeks in Ireland with their family, and came back on New Years Day.
3. Lolita and Hadassah flew to Brisbane, Australia for 10 days, having been given plane tickets to attend Carolyn Kauffman’s wedding. It was a grueling journey that took 30 hours. On arrival, they reveled in the sunshine and high temperatures when they finally got there. They very much enjoyed their time in Aussie-land and its completely different animals, plants, and culture. Carolyn taught here last year, and some of us stayed up during the night to watch the wedding via live-streaming.
4. Our adult class of high beginners has been learning about food and dialogues related to restaurants. Since they didn’t know what pancakes or apple pie are, we decided to give them a chance to demonstrate their English and experience some American food. Instead of having a formal lesson, we set up a cafe and they chose drinks, appetizers, pancakes, and apple pie from a menu. It was a great success and everyone—teachers and students—had a ton of fun!

As we continue to prepare for Jonathan & Heather Miller and their family to move to Poland, we are seeking for partners who will commit to regular, monthly financial support on their behalf. Pledges of support will enable the board to plan more effectively. The average monthly cost for a second family is at least $2,500. If the Lord leads you to partner with AIM in this way, please communicate your pledge to the board by email at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or phone at 814-789-4394.

On average over the past six months our expenses have exceeded income by $1,000 per month. This means that funds previously held in reserve have all been used. We are trusting the Lord to provide the needed funds for general operations.

Three men and three ladies are needed to help with Vacation Bible School in Poland in July. Be part of a team that brings the message of the gospel to Polish children. Through songs, games, Bible lessons, and English lessons, you can be the one person in a child’s life who tells them about Jesus. Training provided. Team members need to provide their own support. Contact Shannon Lehman for more information at sklmail124@gmail.com or 814-789-2812.

In the English school, we have been amazed at the continued motivation of students. Last week several new prospective students came to the office to ask for lessons.

Coming up to the Christmas season, the church planned a special carol service. Lolita organized a program by the children’s choir, and there were other special singing groups. Even though the turnout was smaller than we’d been prepared for, we were happy to see the friends and students who came.

Haddasah, Ria, and Jewel are part of the Minsk choir. After intense rehearsing (all in Polish!) they enjoyed taking part in the choir’s Christmas concert at the old white church.

Financial and Personnel Needs

We are seeking a single man to teach English at Gateway to English, starting in September 2014. To volunteer or to recommend someone, please contact Matthew Mast at 814-789-4394 or homeoffice@aimpoland.org.

• As we continue to prepare for Jonathan and Heather Miller and their family to move to Poland, we are seeking for partners who will commit to regular, monthly financial support on their behalf. Pledges of support will enable the board to plan more effectively. The average monthly cost for a second family is at least $2,500. If the Lord leads you to partner with AIM in this way, please communicate your pledge to the board by email at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or phone at 814-789-4394.
• $3,000 is needed immediately for general operating expenses.
• On average over the past six months our expenses have exceeded income by $1,000 per month. This means that funds previously held in reserve have all been used. We are trusting the Lord to provide the needed funds for general operations.

Please join us in prayer about these needs. We are seeking the Lord’s direction, and we invite you to join us in prayer for His provision. These personnel fill crucial roles in the work of AIM, and it is our prayer that God will provide people to do His work.

November Happenings

• The four teachers – Ria, Jewel, Regina and Anita, spent the first weekend of November in a small town two hours away. They came back feeling refreshed and relaxed.
• School is going well, both with groups and private students. There are the normal children and teen attitude issues, but everyone – students and teachers – are learning how to communicate effectively. Academic English is not the students’ greatest need and teachers are constantly needing to remember that communication is more than vocabulary and grammar.
• The school hosted a Thanksgiving evening for students and their families. Europeans are usually curious about the food and activities connected to this day that Americans value so much. We sang some songs for them, played games together, and served pumpkin pie, apple pie, cranberry salad, and warm spiced cider. It was a fun, sociable evening!

Personnel Update

• The board is grateful to announce that Jonathan and Heather Miller have agreed to serve in Poland. Jonathan and Heather are members at the Lighthouse congregation in Abbeville, South Carolina. They have three children, Damaris, Johann, and Patrick. Our plans are tentatively for them to move to Poland in early spring 2014. We thank God for providing this answer to our prayers!
• One young man has committed himself to teaching English in Poland and is willing go in February. However, we need a second volunteer in order for the logistics to work. If you are interested or have someone to suggest, please communicate with Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.

Financial & Personnel Needs

• The Lord has provided our current needs. On average over the past five months expenses have exceeded income by $1,000 per month. Funds previously held in reserve have all been used. We are trusting the Lord to provide the needed funds for general operations.
• One of the major elements of preparation and planning for a second family is the need for additional financial support. For the past number of months the mission has squeaked by. The board desires to move forward in faith, but at the same time we feel the importance of counting the cost. We are seeking additional partners who will commit to regular, monthly financial support. Pledges of support will enable the board to plan more effectively. The average monthly cost for a second family is at least $2,500.

Our financial and personnel needs for August include these items:

• $2000 for staff travel (needed mid-September)
• A family or couple to serve as business administrator.

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