"Give thanks in ALL circumstances..." even when finding yourself in a RED ZONE! We are so THANKFUL that God is aware of plot twists well before we are! A week and a half ago, government authorities deemed it necessary to tighten up restrictions for travel, movement, and gathering in Ukraine in an attempt to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Authorities have assigned color zones based on factors including local cases of illness, cases of deaths, and available equipment and hospital beds. As you can see below, numbers are on the rise in Ukraine and are the highest they've ever been, despite the recent availability and use of vaccines (image source: Google).
So, although "red zone" initially may sound scary, in all reality, regulations here are very similar to the initial lockdown regulations in the U.S. a year and a half ago. In a nutshell, this means essential businesses are the only ones allowed to operate; a certificate of vaccination is required to move about on public transportation and to do some types of business; and public gatherings are currently prohibited. To this our response is, "Been there, done that!" We are so THANKFUL for the practice run a year and a half ago, navigating life with these restrictions in the ease of our home country!
Though the reality is that it's been a little disheartening for us to close Mosaic Student Center temporarily, we are choosing to see this as a gift from God, allowing us time to onboard new teammates who are in the application process; prepare to host a missions trip which is in the works for next summer; and focus on more language learning. We are THANKFUL that God has given us this current gift of time as we prepare for a very busy 2022!
FEIC Conference:We wereTHANKFULto have an invitation to take part in our first ever conference for the Fellowship of European International Churches in October. AGWM-Europe has graciously included us in their region's fellowship and we enjoyed connecting, swapping ideas, and learning how to better lead a multicultural faith community!
Odesa Women in Leadership: The benefit of small groups is that they can continue to work during restrictions! Though this photo was taken preceding current restrictions, Wendy has been THANKFULfor the opportunity to coordinate connection between this church planting pastor, university campus missionary, and another American missionary (not pictured) for prayer, friendship, and encouragement!
Important Updates
Did you notice this update came from our new email address?
Please update your address book by changing:
wendy.osborne@agmd.org to wendy.osborne@eurasiajoy.com
jeremy.osborne@agmd.org to jeremy.osborne@eurasiajoy.com
Did you notice that the AG Giving website has been updated?
In order to better serve our donors, churches, missionaries, ministry partners, and districts, the AG National Office is pleased to announce the release of a major update to the AG Giving website. Our team has worked to improve the overall user experience of AG Giving, while retaining the key features of AG Giving that allow our generous donors to manage their giving with the Assemblies of God. Here are some of the key updates and features:
Updated, Mobile-Friendly User Interface
Simplified Checkout Experience
Easier to manage recurring schedules with large amount of designations
Recurring schedules will continue to be processed without any action on your part.
In order to make changes to your recurring schedule, you will need tosign up for a new AG Accounts login. Until then, continue to use your current login.
In addition to setting up a new AG Accounts login, here are some things to consider with regard to authorized user access:
District officials will retain access to the district account. However, you will need to sign up for a new AG Accounts login. Please be sure to provide your personal minister AG Account Number during the AG Accounts Login Creation Process.
Senior Pastors will retain access to the church account. However, you will need to sign up for a new AG Accounts login. Please be sure to provide your personal minister AG Account Number during the AG Accounts Login Creation Process.
Authorized User permissions for a Church account will be migrated, if the new AG Account Login Email matches the AGPassport email address on file. Current Church Account Representatives will need to sign up for a new AG Accounts login, using the same email as their current AGPassport login. Otherwise, authorized users should work with their senior pastor for access to the church account. The senior pastor can log on to AG Giving to invite someone to be an authorized user for the church.
Click below for a short video and more information from our National Office!
Family Update
In school, Ivanna learned all about weaving in colonial times and then presented what she'd learned in her school's annual Trade Fair! We are so proud of all three of our kiddos, and this was a fun little peek into what they are learning!
Between school, PSAT testing, and everything else that family life involves, we have been enjoying the beautiful fall with its unusually vibrant colors this year!
Prayer and Praise
Praise God he kept Dora in perfect peace, as she took the PSAT test last month (still waiting on scores)!
Praise God for continued family health during this pandemic!
Praise God He has given us the gift of margin and time in this season, though it was not in a way we expected!
Pray for the elderly and vulnerable throughout Ukraine who are particularly susceptible to COVID Pneumonia. Ukraine does not have all of the medical advantages that we as Americans are accustomed to.
Pray for opportunities to maintain positive, relationship-building connections with our English Language students during restrictions.
Pray for doors to remain open to teach at local universities once restrictions are lifted.
Pray for God to raise up an amazing individual who is passionate about disability ministry and led to serve in Ukraine!
Pray for new team members working their way through the application and interview process to join us in Odesa!
Pray for our church planting team members, Micah, and Taylar Smiley as they continue to fundraise! Please reach out to them at Micah.Smiley@agmd.org to ask how you or your church can partner with them monthly! THANK YOU for helping us build our team!
As we close out this update, we want to challenge you to take this month of Thanksgiving to reflect daily on all there is to be grateful for - He has certainly blessed each of us abundantly! As you prioritize practicing gratitude, you will see these many blessings in your life more and more clearly!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
With gratitude and joy,
Jeremy, Wendy, Dora, Tobin and Ivanna
