Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Where in the World are Jim and Lina Miller?

We are in the eleventh week of our one year "exile" from Germany. Just to remind you, we need to be out of Germany for one year every 5-8 years, in order to retain our US Social Security. So, here I sit in Chicago reflecting on the last 11 weeks of homelessness! 

Last time I wrote, we were in Bangladesh with our daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Alpha, along with our incredible grandson, Noah. We were to be there for 4 weeks, but just about 24 hours before we were to fly out, the airport was closed because of Covid, and we were able to stay for 2 more weeks! What a joyous time as we watched Noah learn to crawl, take his first steps, and get his first tooth! His Omi and Poppy truly love him!


Jim working hard in Bangladesh with Emily, Noah, and Ember (the dog) keeping him company!

Leaving Bangladesh 2 weeks later than planned meant we missed the time we were to spend in Idaho with Jim's parents and sister's family, as well as one of our supporting churches. We are looking to make up that trip a little later on.

We landed in Chicago May 4 and took off the next day for our Josiah Venture Spring Conference at Gull Lake in Michigan. The conference was online so that everyone from the 16 countries of Josiah Venture could attend, but we were able to gather with the over 50 other missionaries that were here in the States at the time to experience the conference together. What a blessing, especially after not being able to gather together for over a year!

From there, we visited family and supporters in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. During this time we celebrated Jim's 60th birthday, and our three kids got together and bought tickets for us to visit the Noah's Ark Encounter in Kentucky! What an incredible place!

The Noah's Ark replica was huge and built to the size as recorded in the Bible!

We returned to Chicago for a few days before flying out to the Josiah Venture Leaders' Meeting in Cappadocia, Turkey. Again, after over a year of not being together, the leadership team was able to meet in person. The meetings were held in Turkey because the leaders from each of the 16 countries were able to travel there while other boarders and countries were closed to many of us. 

Cappadocia is such an intriguing place! Along with the "other worldly" rock formations crowding the landscape, it is also the place where the Church Fathers hammered out the Doctrine of the Trinity! What rich history!



Cappadocia is know for its rock formations and its hot air balloons!

The people of Cappadocia would carve out the large "Fairy Towers" for their houses and even their churches! We saw many beautiful frescoes on the ancient church walls!

By Georges Jansoone JoJan - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2642263

We are now back in Chicago since Sunday, May 30, and leave tomorrow for one week in Colorado, then 2 weeks in California, then back to Colorado to stay until September. We are so looking forward to meeting our little granddaughter, Emma Grace. Being born on April 15, almost 3 months early and only slightly over one pound, she is growing fast and doing so well!!! She is now 3 pounds 3 ounces!!!!

Emma Grace on May 23. 
Prayer Points:
  • Please continue to pray for Emma Grace, that she will continue to grow and will be able to get out of the hospital on her due date, July 4.
  • Pray for us as we continue discipleship and training sessions online with our dear friends in Germany.
  • Pray for our teammate, Rachael, as she will be heading up the two camps we will be having this summer.
  • Pray for Julie, our summer intern, that this will be a rich summer for her as she partners with Rachel to help out with the camps.
  • Pray that the camps will be able to happen and that God will bring many young people and touch their lives through the camps.
  • Pray for our busy travel schedule, that God will continue to give us health and strength.

8 comments:

Jeanine said...

Oh my gosh, Lina. It is so, so good to hear from you. My heart has been unsettled worrying about you what with Covid, political unrest, borders closing, etc. I will pray for all your requests and then some. You have a heavy travel schedule. I picture you living out of suit cases which can get old. Since we received our vaccines, we've put quite a few miles on our vehicle visiting those we haven't seen as well. I am currently sitting in our driveway enjoying the early evening with the breeze coming through and some birds chirping over territories. I pray for blessings for all of you and your one year goes as you envision it. Miss you, Lina!

Oliver Ahlfeld said...

Good morning, this is Ollie writing - greetings & blessings from Magdeburg/Germany. Miss you very much and thank you for so many things you did and prayers you prayed. Our youthchurch EASTSIDE (because we're on the eastern side of the river) starts September 1st. Isn't it great? Rachel is involved in the development!
Hugs from Germany!!

LPyle said...

Hi Lina,
What part of California will you be in? If you are in the Bay area let us know. We'd love to see you. We also have a place for you to stay in the Santa Cruz mountains if you have time.

Linda Pyle

Tracking With the Allisons said...

Hey Swiss roomie. So good to hear from y’all. Think of both of you often. Such great friends.

Jochen Riemer said...

Greetings from Your church in Leipzig. We are always with You in prayer.

Unknown said...

Was great to read your latest blog!! Daily I think of you and pray that God is with you wherever you are!! Have wondered how little Emma Grace is and was so happy to read how well she is doing!! Greet all your family for me! Will you see Tim/Ramona in CA? God grant you safe travels!!

Vonie G said...

Lina, Thanks for the update! It's always a blessing to hear your news. Will continue to hold you up in prayers!

Kristi Patty said...

Wonderful post with so many amazing photos!!! It was so good to be with you dear Lina! May God bless you as you travel and bring the light and life of Jesus with you everywhere you go! Warm hug from me in Texas! (jet lag is giving me time to go in and read some of the things I missed!)