Jonathan & Tamba Abel, Missionaries in Brazil

November 2020

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”( I Thes. 5:16-18)

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”(Romans 12:12)

Dear Friends,

Ordination of Jean(and wife Anais) by Pr. Iran (Pres AFLC Brazil)

These verses have been such an encouragement to us these days as we have so many things to be thankful for, even though many would say that we should scratch off 2020 from the calendar. Definitely, it has been a challenging year!

But as I look back in history, I see that about this time every century there has been a major pandemic around the world. Fortunately, we did not have a world war in 2014.

In spite of the pandemic, there are many good things for which we are thankful. So far we’ve been protected from Covid-19, as well as our church and our staff, and the caretakers for our Bible camp. Also, none of our people have lost their jobs.

Camp Cafeteria with completed roof

Earlier on in the pandemic, with everything being shut down, it allowed us to get some needed construction done at our Bible camp and our seminary campus without interfering with camps or classes. During this time, our denomination became more united because our people were watching Live services from our different churches, which contributed to a better turnout for our Annual Conference (November) than we expected. We’re thankful that as we opened our churches again, people came back and more.

As we give thanks in everything, we want to let you know that you are also a reason for our thanksgiving and rejoicing: your prayers, generosity, encouragement… the many ways that you bless us. Thank you! May God continue to bless you, us, and His work!

FaceTime Grandpa Jonathan and grandson Jobe

God Bless,

Jonathan and Tamba

Prayer Request:

• For God’s continued protection from the Covid-19 & health in general.

• Pray for our daughter April who is expecting her second child in December and her husband Elijah who will be having surgery on his shoulder.

• For our son Thomas who is working in San Francisco.

• For our daughter Michelle who is finishing her Senior year of H.S. at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN.

• For Ruby Abel, who is living in the Twin Cities with her daughter Lydia.

• For the daily internet Bible study with women from our church and other cities that Tamba is doing.

• For all the plans that our church is making for this next year as we try to get back into the routine of things.

• For the Bible Camp season that is coming up in January and February.

• For the Missionaries’ support in the AFLC since the funds have suffered a big setback (as have all the departments).

Gifts can be given online or sent to:

AFLC World Missions

3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd

Plymouth, MN 55441-3008

E-mail:tjabel@terra.com.br

Orality Institute, Pastor Kevin Olson

Sometimes... maybe often, the things that are most difficult result in the greatest rewards. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is a challenge, but a beautiful one. Going to minister in far away countries is a challenge, but the rewards are great!

What are the challenges that you are facing right now? Can you see any possible benefits? We can join together in prayer because we are going through some difficult times. Could these challenges cause us to grow closer to the Lord?

Blessings, Pastor Kevin

Mountain Feet Ministries

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Isaiah 52:7 describes the heart of this ministry, so several, including Kevin and Paul, are participating in a fundraising / awareness / prayer hike for the Orality Institute on December 4th. We will be hiking from the south rim of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River at the bottom, and then back up to the rim in one day. It is roughly a 20-mile hike and there are 10 hours of daylight for that trek. That does not leave much time for sitting around.

This hike is a representation of the ministry of the Orality Institute in several ways. The bottom of the Grand Canyon is a difficult place to get to. It is a desert climate that reaches 120 degrees in the summer. However, the canyon holds a beauty and a grandeur that cannot be matched.

The Orality Institute also goes to places that are difficult to get to. They are in desert-like climates, both physically and spiritually. Yet, there is a beauty that you can easily find when you look into the eyes of those who long to know God’s Word, and peer into the hearts of the people who are grateful for the gift of new life.

This is one of those hikes that does not allow you to stop part way. Once you begin, you are committed, and we will be encouraging each other along the way. You can also encourage us along the way by making a pledge for each mile of our prayer hike. This will help motivate us for ministry as we begin a new year and new budget in 2021.

Thanksgiving Pie

Even though this has been a difficult year for our world, the Orality Institute has many reasons to thank the Lord.

1. We are thankful for The Story to tell. God’s Word is a powerful message.2. We thank the Lord for our national ministry partners who continue to train people in the Word of God regardless of the effect of the Corona virus. Most of the classes are back up and running in Uganda, the translation continues in Malawi, the Bible School is still in session in Mexico. This year has underscored the importance of empowering nationals to teach their own people.

3. We are thankful for the lean budget that we have. We were able to add Paul Kneeland to the Orality Institute staff when many businesses were cutting back. Since Kevin and Paul are both part-time, the ministry benefits are doubled without an extra burden on the budget. They have been able to focus on needed projects stateside and stay in communication with ministries abroad.

4. We are thankful for faithful supporters that make this ministry possible. We have not seen a significant dip in support through these past six months. We know that the Lord is the one that supplies every need, and we know that He does that through the financial support team that He has put together.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” Matthew 6:33-34