LUMglobal #076 ---- 2/28/09
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver
Life Unlimited Ministries
Touching Nations Here and Abroad
Number 076
February 28, 2009
Dear Friends, Family, and "In-Pact" Partners:
Greetings from a picture-postcard-like winter wonderland. Last night we got oversix inches of beautiful snow, the largest snowfall in these parts all winter. The limbs are laden, flakes are floating through the air, and the birds are feasting at the nineteen bird feeders Bob has put up around the house. We can look out windows on three sides of the house and watch birds flitting about, fighting for position on the feeder perches. As last month's letter showed, we have an amazing variety of birds . . . only today there are even more of them. To our surprise, this morning Bob saw what he thinks was some type of a Blackbird. It was solid black and had the right shape, but didn't have the ring around the eye like most in these parts do. It's about the size of a large Robin, but solid black. Maybe you can help us identify it. Sorry, but no picture.
What's Been Happening:
+ We've still been traveling more than expected, now with four trips under our belt since Christmas, and one still ahead. Since last letter we traveled to St. Paul, MN, for our 50th wedding anniversary (we understand the family celebration will be next July) to go to the annual Winter Ice Carnival and spend a few days with our daughter, Cheri, and her family. This was actually the first trip in over six years that didn't have a firm time schedule, so we took a leisurely drive to Des Moines, IA, to spend the night after eating a wonderful seafood dinner at Red Lobster. We then drove on to St. Paul Friday. Cheri, Bob, and Sergey took us to the Winter Carnival on Saturday where we saw the waning stages of sculptures such as the ice one of the Last Super and the snow sculpture of (we think) a Dr. Seuss character. Unfortunately the bright sunlight really diminished the precision of the details. The fact that most of the sculptures had already been up for over two weeks also diminished their beauty; but they were still amazing.
Then they took us that evening to a St. Paul landmark, "The Downtowner Grill", where we ate Persian-style kabob's of chicken and beef. "M", "F", "H", Ira, and the others would have loved it! Sunday we gathered at lunch with a group of over 20 for whole-grain pancakes with all kinds of toppings, and great fellowship around the tables filling their family room. Bob and Cheri had invited special people whom they wanted us to share our ministry with. That included Jo Ann's nephew, Bill Hutchison, who is a professor at the University of Minnesota. Unfortunately we didn't get to see Margo or the kids. We were thrilled to encourage several married couples regarding possible future ministries, and we also shared the director of Navigators at the University of Minnesota and several young people he is discipling. The day ended with our watching a movie after we watched the Arizona Cardinals lose the Super Bowl. We returned home on Tuesday the 3rd.
+ A little over a week later we had to make an unplanned trip to Atlanta, GA, to pick up eight pieces of luggage that a volunteer team had brought back for us from Kyiv. We originally expected it to be shipped, but several delays prohibited that, and when we found we could drive down ourselves for about what it was going to cost for shipping, we decided to go. Traveling through eight states in four days, we made the 1600 mile trip in good shape, thoroughly enjoying the "new" vehicle the Lord provided for us. Traveling through southeastern Missouri, western Kentucky, and then northeastern Arkansas less than two weeks after a major ice storm reminded us again of the devastating power of Mother Nature. Much of it looked like a war zone with nothing but bare tree trunks holding up only the largest of limbs; everything else was on the ground.
While in Atlanta, we were able to see Jo Ann's niece, Becky Fleming (sister to Bill above), over a great barbeque lunch. During lunch, our table server helped us find the phone number for the friend who was the Maid of Honor at our wedding 50 years ago. Then, after picking up the luggage, Jo Ann called her friend, Carolyn, only to find that she'd been going through Kidney Failure the past several years and was actually taking a Dialysis treatment as they spoke. It was a great experience to reconnect, because they had lost contact with each other a number of years ago.
Then, after debating whether or not to return through Tennessee and Kentucky or through Alabama and Mississippi, we opted to go back a different way, hoping to avoid the horrendous Atlanta commuter traffic. Unfortunately, a semi-tractor-trailer truck had apparently turned over and caught fire a number of miles outside of Atlanta, backing traffic up into Atlanta for miles. After taking over two hours to travel eight miles, Bob was able to squeeze our way off the highway, and we found a wonderful and comfortable motel and spent the night. That, of course, put us behind schedule, so we thought we'd spend another night in Memphis. After traveling through the beautiful hills of northern Alabama and Mississippi, we arrived in Memphis too early to stop, so decided to drive on to Jonesboro, Arkansas for the night. When we got there, every motel was filled with power line crews and tree trimming crews still dealing with the ice damage from two weeks earlier. Driving into the evening, we finally got the last room available in Hardy, Arkansas, where we had our Valentine's evening dinner in a local "Red Neck" restaurant. We finally arrived home Sunday late afternoon.
+ Last Tuesday evening, as we were preparing to leave the house, we saw nine deer in our front yard. They acted as if they were insulted that we had invaded their territory, then gracefully cleared a five-foot-high wire fence before disappearing back into the trees. On the way back to the house, Bob was amused to see a wild turkey gobbler strutting around in the middle of a neighbor's chickens, apparently trying to woo a young bride from a different tribe. Then just a few days ago Jo Ann spotted an animal that we had heard was beginning to populate the area. We had seen "road kill" evidences south of us on the highway, but had not seen one in our immediate area until Jo Ann saw it waddling across the yard toward the woods. So, now added to our "zoo without fences" we have an Armadillo apparently living under our front porch. Over the past several years they have been migrating northward, and have now reached at least into southern Missouri. We have thoroughly enjoyed all the wildlife.
+ We're still trying to find our niche' in ministering locally, but not much has happened. Bob is now on the "list" at the university in Bolivar for "adjunct professor" role if ever needed, but has not been approached directly yet. And, we've not been asked to do anything in our home church yet. With our unexpected traveling so much, it's probably just as well. We are, however, beginning to get inquiries for some speaking engagements and conferences, and are also anticipating some direct communication coming up regarding a couple of possible trips overseas. We're particularly personally interested in possible ministry in Cuba, Sweden, and Switzerland. We're also enjoying visiting a few churches in the area where we have had supporters or other friends.
+ Last Wednesday, as he was looking for something in the garage, Bob was knocked from a ladder by a piece of falling wood while he was looking for a tool, falling backward about four feet toward the cement floor. Fortunately, he fell on his back atop a stack of boxes, metal cases, and small table avoiding serious injury from the floor. Although he didn't hit his head or break any bones (as far as we can tell), he did hurt his right forearm, causing him limited mobility and much pain. It will probably be a considerable inconvenience for several more days. He is extremely limited in what he can carry, and it is painful to rotate the forearm more than 90 degrees.
+ KIBC is still going through the transition process after our departure, and it has sometimes been difficult. We don't hear much from anyone, but do know that our dear friend, Vitaliy, has concluded his ministry at the church as a member of the Pastoral Leadership Team (PLT) and also as teacher of the Bible study group and English class. Vitaliy was the last of the original PLT that helped form the church, so we know it has been hard on KIBC to lose all three PLT members in a period of just over two months. This places added responsibility on "M", Alan, and Doug, three very capable and godly men. We try very hard to remain out of the picture so that the current leadership can be free to give direction as the Lord guides them. The three guys, however, do drop Bob a note now and then. We never volunteer advice, and try only to share ideas if asked, and give encouragement.
+ We recently sent some special prayer letters out concerning a young man, "D", who was arrested at the airport, put in jail, and then forced to renounce his faith in Christ under the threat of immediate execution. As you recall, we reported that he did renounce Christianity in great fear. That's hard for many of us to comprehend, and our reports led to numerous responses. Yesterday, Bob received an e-mail from "M" that we thought you should read. It will help you see things more clearly. Here's what "M" wrote:
Regarding "D", I definitely agree with what you had commented. Many people don't understand what does it really mean to stand before a judge who doesn't understand what justice mean. The way the judge has asked "D" all the questions is not the way judges behave in America. Unfortunately some of the American confuse the Muslim way of the court with the American one. When the court session starts for an apostate, the judge (an angry Mullah) starts with a similar phrase addressing the apostate: "Tell me that you have converted to Christianity and I order your death right now!". There's no lawyer, no case, nothing! In such a situation, those who blame "D" has to put themselves in his shoes!!!
+ We haven't heard much from some of our "Kids", so not too much to report. Our Tania still lives near Skelleftea, Sweden, and is still learning the Swedish language, is far ahead of most others in her class, and is still very active in her church and in sharing the Gospel with others. As far as we know, Max is still in Thailand teaching and serving in an international church there; we've not heard from him for a couple of months. Senthil is still in Oslo, Norway, also involved in an international church plant. We assume Mark is still leading the Arabic group in Kyiv, but have had no news of any kind since our return to the States in December. The Farsi group was or is scheduled to go to a neighboring city, but we don't know if that has happened yet or not. We don't know how the group in the other city is faring since "D" was forced to renounce his faith in order to avoid execution.
+ Moving back into a house after six years absence is a big challenge. Not only have some things broken, but other things have piled up from all those short trips back to the States, creepy-crawly things take up residence, appliances give out, and things have to be disposed of in order to make room for the "stuff" you bring home with you. So, we've had our hands full, cleaning out closets, packing up "sale" items and "save for the kids" items, going through boxes and boxes of papers, cleaning out store rooms, and so on. We've accomplished a great deal, but when you sit down and look at it, it seems we've hardly made a dent.
+ Yesterday (Feb 27th) was Jo Ann's birthday, so Bob took her to Red Lobster for another seafood dinner. It was a cold and blustery day, and was getting pretty cloudy by the time we got home. The predicted winter storm arrived during the night, and we awoke to the heavy blanket of snow mentioned at the beginning of our letter.
What's Ahead:
+ This coming Monday evening, March 2nd, we fly to Arizona to bring a "thank you" report to one of our supporting churches, visit some friends and relatives, and drop by with a "thank you" to the Christian insurance agency that provided our hospitalization insurance while we were in Kyiv. Bob has a cousin, (Kenny) in Prescott, two cousins (Bill and Todd) in the Phoenix area, and Jo Ann has two sisters and a brother (Anita, Dortha, and Bill) in Tucson. In addition, we'll be making contact with the former pastor of a church in which we did a conference years ago, and also with Candy, a young woman who was a member of our very first volunteer team to Croatia. She now is national trainer for a ministry that works extensively in Muslim countries. Somewhere in the process, we hope to soak up a little Arizona sunshine and enjoy the splendor of mountains and desert. Arizona is a state where you cannot stand anywhere without seeing a mountain on a clear day.
+ We are in the planning stages of a "Watch These Signals" conference in a church not too far from us. Pastored by our friend, Paul Midgett, this will be a return conference, tentatively scheduled for late April. We're also in varying stages of scheduling other meetings, continuing to let people know we're back in the States, and continuing preliminary discussions regarding overseas trips to Cuba, Sweden, and Switzerland, with other exploratory probes concerning ministry in India, Belgium, Norway, and other places.
+ Bob is still trying to do a little writing on some of the manuscripts, and hopes to devote some serious time to that project after we return from Arizona. There are still many renovating and repairing projects to be done around the house as well. He is redesigning his office to make room for things from Kyiv, will reconfigure two storage closets to be more "worker friendly", begin building a garden shed, re-floor one of the decks and add steps and a walkway to it in the process, put particle board on the walls of the workshop and new flooring as well, and try to cut up fallen trees and cut out many dead limbs still hanging from the 2007 and 2008 ice storms. Both of us will also begin working on all the once-beautiful flower beds, and we want to try raising some fresh vegetables in "garden pots" (Not garden plots) . . . cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, green beans. This will be the first time in fifteen years that we've had a chance to do any gardening.
+ With Cindy and her family not able to come to the States until late June, we're looking forward to some great "all family" time for the first time in years, and we've been told to keep July free because they have something up their sleeves for our 50th wedding anniversary.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray with us about the following matters.
+ Pray for KIBC as they continue adjusting to this new chapter in their lives. Pray that they will all come together under the Banner of the Cross, and will rise to the occasions of ministry the Lord has for them. Pray for Doug, Alan, and "M", as they provide leadership. Pray for others such as Emily, Paul, Susan, Dennis, Lydia, Ira, and others who have ministry roles in the church.
+ Pray for all our "kids" scattered around the world serving the Lord. What an amazing blessing this has been to us! Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined having so many friends in so many places of the world, nor could we have imagined seeing so many of them, both American and non-American, serving the Lord in some many locations. It is mind boggling. Please pray for them all, that God will anoint them with boldness, courage, and power, to share the story while time remains.
+ Pray that our financial support will continue to grow in order to cover recent losses as churches and individuals have ended their financial support.
+ Pray for Jim and Deanna and kids as they relocate to their new ministry in Knoxville, IL. Praise the Lord and pray for them as they move into the new house in a few weeks.
+ Pray that God will open doors for us to be involved in value-driven strategic ministry both locally and in other places around the States. Pray that we can articulate this new ministry clearly and simply to others, and that those whom the Lord is calling will invite us to serve them.
+ Pray that the international doors will open in God's timing and in God's places.
+ Pray for our physical needs. Since we've returned to the States, we've noticed the aches and pains more than we did, and we find ourselves needing more sleep than we're accustomed to. Pray that we'll be re-energized quickly.
+ Pray for our Arizona trip, that it will be profitable in every way. Pray that family time will be special. Pray especially that time with Jo Ann's sister, Anita, who is in a nursing home with Parkinson's will be a great blessing to both of them. Pray that Jo Ann's time with her brother, Bill, who lost his wife last year, will also be special.
Finally:
Again, we cannot thank you enough for standing with us as family, friends, prayer warriors, and financial supporters. The need for all of you is just as important now as it has ever been. Please don't stop; we haven't. We've not retired, we've just relocated. We're just as committed to the ministry God has given us as we've ever been, and we certainly need your support during these days of major adjustments.
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