Medin Johnson -  Serving with Avant Ministries

Prayer Letter - November 2009

Medin's Memo

          Well, it’s that time of year again. I will soon be in the air on my way south for another visit to Bolivia. I already have one suitcase full of chocolate chips, peanut butter, dark brown sugar, and other things that are difficult or impossible to find in Santa Cruz. I’m really looking forward to being back at El Jordán, seeing the students again, noticing how the children have grown, and hearing stories of how God has been working in their lives over the past year. I will enjoy spending time with the local volunteers
          I know well from other years and meeting the new ones that have come along. Meeting baby Keiden, Corina and Marco’s son will be another highlight of this year’s trip. I also hope to be a help and encouragement to Heidi, who has been dealing with chronic sickness for the last two years, with no end in sight, and has not allowed it to dampen her passion for ministry.
          I was able to use AAirmiles to purchase my ticket this year, so that cuts about $800-$1000 dollars off of the expenses for the trip. Yay! I have also already received some gifts that will help with baking supplies, visa fees, and room and board at El Jordán. Thank you!! If anyone else would like to participate donations can be sent to Avant Ministries with a separate note stating the gift is for “Medin’s Travel Fund”. Any gifts given over the amount needed for this year’s trip will go toward the trip next year.
          I will be sending updates from Bolivia, which will be posted on my web site as usual, but I also plan to send them directly to those on my email mailing list. If you would like to be added to the list (or dropped from it), even if it is just for the time that I am in Bolivia, please let me know.

Church Ministry News

          Thank you to those who prayed for my Sunday school situation with more girls and possibly less space. We have changed room location twice now since September, but I think we are finally in the location where we will be for the rest of the year. The room is larger than our original space and even our storage cabinet is larger. We haven’t quite gotten everything back in order and especially need to work on putting our memory verses and Bible timeline back on the wall, but we like our new room and those things will get done at some point. Please pray for a little girl named Shaley. She wants to stay with her parents rather than come to Sunday school and cries through class when they make her come.
          Awana has also been going well, although the bag with my leader notebook, bible, tracts, handbooks, and other supplies disappeared after club a few weeks ago. That was a bit bothersome, but the important thing is that the girls keep coming and learning from God’s Word. Last week I was privileged to counsel a girl who wanted to know more about how to be saved. She wanted to pray with me to receive Christ, so I led her in a prayer, but I don’t know how much she really understands. Pray that God will continue working in her heart.

Avant News

          It is very quiet here at the guesthouse right now, but we are using our extra time to clean and repaint some duplex apartments where missionaries have lived as they repaired to go to the field. Now that these families are in Italy and Slovenia we are getting the apartments ready for their future tenants.


Financial Update

          My general ministry support level now hovers around 50%. There have been a few additions to my support team over the last year but others have needed to stop sending regular support or reduce the amount. This, combined with a continued rise in cost of living related expenses, has led to my current situation.
          I don’t want you to be concerned about my personal well being. As a missionary here at the International Service Center I continue to receive a regular salary. However, funds must be taken out of the Training Center or general missions funds to cover the difference.
          I want to be able to continue blessing missionaries here without becoming a financial burden for Avant. Would you be able to help?
          Checks should be written to Avant Ministries and a separate note should be enclosed indicating it is for the ministry of Medin Johnson. It should be sent to:
          Avant Ministries
          10000 N Oak Trafficway
          Kansas City, MO 64155

You can also give online at www.AvantMinistries.org. Just click “Give” at the top of the page and it will take you where you need to go.

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Updated 18 Nov 2009 The Great Commission home