Miller’s Monthly

– September 2020 –

We’re leavin’ on a jet plane

In our last newsletter we reported that we had a departure date and as with most things during this time that remained true for about a week. Let me tell you the story.

We were confirmed for Africa Based Orientation (ABO) in October with a “firm” departure date. We were moving forward with our checklist of items to complete and questions to ask. As a side note in an email about our language training we learned that ABO in October had been canceled due to COVID restrictions. Is the phrase “due to COVID restrictions” getting old to anyone else? This put us back at square one in terms of departure. We sent a few inquiring emails and then sat back and waited patiently, trusting that God has everything in control. Well, that’s what we should have done. I find that most of our walk with Christ is leaning into and then fighting away from our selfish tendencies to rest more assuredly in Him. While there was anxiety about what this meant for us we strived to be prayerful and recognize that those who were making decisions about this were also dealing with a multitude of other things. A week went by and we heard from AIM AIR leadership about scheduling a zoom call. In this call we learned, or rather re-learned that we are in good hands. Not only in God’s hands but the team in Nairobi had put a lot of thought and care into navigating the best way to proceed. The decision was made that we needed to be in Nairobi sooner than the next ABO; in January, so that I (Daniel) can begin training in the Radio Base with Joe. I need to be up to speed so that I can run the shop while he is on a much needed home assignment next year. However; while they want us there early, they were also very considerate about us leaving well. With respect to that it was decided that we will keep our original departure date in October. The day after the zoom call we received news that we had airline tickets! We found out later the next week that our work visas have been approved for some time now. In a matter of 2 weeks we went from plan to no plan or even an idea, then to a new plan, and now have a finalization of a plan with tickets and visas. Praise the Lord, we keep re-learning the lesson that it really is better to wait on His timing. After-all, it is for His glory.
The Blue Ridge Mountains!Anna and I always planned to move overseas and serve in missions, even before we married. It is difficult to express the emotions behind a dream that was born in each of us individually then grew in our marriage and now 12 years later is coming to fruition with 3 kids in tow. We are excited and anxious for the days to come and extremely thankful to all our partners for serving God with your finances and prayers and helping bring us to this point. Over the years we have had friends and family members who would repeatedly ask us, “Are you still planning on going overseas?” They didn’t know it but they were partners with our ministry even then by reminding us of that vision and refocusing us on it.

Before school began we took a family trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains (see included photos). Speaking of homeschooling; we went a different direction this year. Jude is using self-directed video lessons online which works well for him. This gives Anna time to work very hands-on with Lydia. This was a much needed change for Lydia as we determined this summer that she has dyslexia.  Both kids are saying that they love school…for now.
PFO Graduation.Linville Falls on our Family trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

-Mountain Week-

In addition to helping us hone our skills as aviators, Mountain Week provided a spiritual retreat as well. Every morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina we would wake up to a thick fog. While we waited for the fog to clear to begin the flight day we would have a devotional time. I got a chance to fly with Ken Misiak, a pilot that I will serve with in Kenya. I included a video of him flying during mountain week. The completion of Mountain Week brought PFO to a close, graduation was August 19^th. We have remained here at JAARS so I (Daniel) can take advantage of some additional training, including an off-road motorcycle coarse and 4-wheel drive course. We will leave JAARS in the next couple of weeks and head back to the midwest to say final goodbyes to family.Mountain Week was great, here’s a quick look at the type of training that took place.Mountain Week!

The COVID effect

Back to everyone’s favorite phrase. Due to COVID we have had to remain in North Carolina longer than expected and we will be in transitional housing longer in Nairobi. These and other COVID related delay expenses have required us to use money that we had designated for our vehicle. Because of this we will be using a vehicle project to resupply and bolster funds for a vehicle in Nairobi. We are prayfully setting a goal of $10,000 into this Vehicle Project by the end of October. It was tempting to set this number lower as we know this is daunting on top of what so many have given. However, we decided to put our true needs before you, and before God and ask Him to provide for them as He has done so faithfully already. You can give directly to this project with the button below. Please feel free to reach out to us to discuss this further.

VEHICLE PROJECT

• Pray for continued health so that our departure isn’t affected.
• Pray that governmental reactions to COVID wouldn’t close the borders again so we can still fly in October.
• Pray for the kids as they say goodbye to great friends and begin another transition.
• Pray for Anna and the kids as they strive to stay on track with homeschool through these transitions.
• Pray that our additional support would be provided.
• Pray for us and our families as we say goodbye to them.

Connect with God on our behalf:

Miller’s Monthly

– August 2020 –

It’s hard to believe that PFO is almost over. Graduation is set for August 19^th. Next week myself and Ken Misiak; a pilot going to Kenya as well, along with a slew of others will head to Mountain Week. Mountain Week is the final week of training where we setup a remote base in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to simulate operating in remote areas as well as providing some challenging runways for the pilots to hone their skills on. After graduation we will being staying on here at JAARS until mid-September to take advantage of additional training. My time here at JAARS has been focused on avionics, as this will be my primary role at AIM AIR. This additional training will allow me to be able to work in Kenya as a mechanic as well. I will also be participating in a week-long motorcycle and 4WD course.
See what Mountain Week is all about.The women of PFO.Prepping Strawberry Ridge for Mountain Week.

Kenya’s international borders re-opened on August 1^st! Praise the Lord!

It is looking promising that they will remain open. Our plan as of now is to depart on October 15^th for Kenya from Atlanta, GA after a few days of check-out meetings at AIM headquarters. Our first month in Kenya will be spent at Africa Based Orientation (ABO); where all AIM missionaries go before they disperse to their field assignments.
An AIM AIR Caravan in a remote area of Northern Kenya.

AIM AIR has been operating since 1975.

That’s 45 years of service to the mission community in East Africa! In a posture of gratitude and considering what God has done through AIM AIR for the last 45 years they are launching an initiative to see what will be necessary to take AIM AIR Beyond 45! We are excited to be a part of what God is doing in East Africa and thankful He has put us on such a great team of people. As part of Beyond 45 AIM AIR launched a new website, you can check it out here.
www.aimair.org

They also launched their NEW newsletter where you will hear AIM AIR’s stories of how God is using them to make missions possible!
http://aimair.org/signup/

Just some pictures…

Jude and the boys.Lydia’s squad.We visited lighthouses at the coast with Anna’s family.Connect with God on our behalf…

• Daniel will take his FCC certification test this month.
• Pray that Kenya’s borders remain open.
• Pray that the kids will have enjoy the last month with their PFO friends.
• pray for Anna and the kids as homeschooling begins.

Miller’s Monthly

– July 2020 –

“Rejoice always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”  ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

With many churches still being closed and everything being in a state of flux, many of the families here for training decided to get together under a tree on Sunday mornings and worship together. One thing led to another and I was “volun-told” to share a devotional. A devotional turned into a sermon and one week turned into three. It was a privilege to be able to speak from God’s word three weeks in a row. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 was a closing verse from week one. It gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves; do we rejoice always because our hope is eternal? Do we pray without ceasing; seeking Him first, or do we worry and stew or try to fix it ourselves? Do we give thanks no matter the circumstances; ruined schedules, closed borders, delayed plans? Sometimes it is a hard reality when we check ourselves against scripture. Anna and I try to continually remind ourselves that He has everything under control and His timing can’t be thwarted.

.

Kanisa chini ya mti (Swahili for “church under the tree”) with all the PFO families.

Popsicle Day!

Grandma Irene started the tradition of Popsicle Day. Every Thursday all the kids would show up at her door for popsicles. Cathrim (Ka-treen) has taken on the mantle of “popsicle hander outer.” She is here with her husband Cesar who is a pilot/mechanic. They are from Brazil and will be serving with AIM AIR as well. Cathrim has given Popsicle Day new life with puppet shows and memory verses. It’s always fun to come home on Thursdays and hear from the kids about what happened at Cathrim’s door.Anna joined Cathrim and had the kids memorize and 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 on Popsicle Day.We enjoyed a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Miller.

PFO is in “Full Flight”

Airplanes and helicopters are in the air daily. All that flying means maintenance has to happen, a perfect opportunity to apply all the knowledge from our zoom classes a few months ago. From previous letters you may remember that I attended some training at Garmin (a GPS manufacturer) before coming to JAARS. That training was over a flight instrument called the Garmin G5. I previously didn’t have any experience on this unit and it is installed in 3 of the aircraft at AIM AIR. I spend most days working on building a wiring harness for a Garmin G5 install in an airplane that will go to Cameroon to assist Bible translators. This is perfect training for me as it gives me practical experience to follow up on classroom knowledge on an instrument that I will be maintaining with AIM AIR.Strawberry ridge is a mountain runway used for trainingMy wiring harness build. This is the back of the GPS unit.Runway Survey Class means we get to go on field trips.

AIM AIR and Kenya

AA (AIM AIR) is continuing to do their best to operate within the restrictions Kenya has imposed due to COVID. They received a “blanket permission” for medical flights. This is a huge praise as they previously had to process a lot of paper work for each flight. The unplanned nature of the medical flights made this a hectic process. With this new approval they can act when called upon without any time delay. AA is holding strong through the down turn in flights and is looking positively towards the future to see what God has in store. Thank you to everyone who supported AA through this time!

Kenya began a phased reopening July 7th and the large cities; Nairobi included, have reopened. The Kenyan border is scheduled to open on August 1^st.  As we all know this could change but we are choosing to praise God for this positive step and remain hopeful that the border will in fact open and stay open. We are scheduled to finish PFO mid-August and depart for Kenya in mid-October. It is exciting to see this moment approaching, as our family steps into international missions! Thank you to all of our supporters who make this possible.
AIM AIR, doing their best to stay operational amidst so many restrictions. Serving those who serve, even during COVID!

Connect with God

• Give thanks that the COVID situation in Kenya is improving.
• Pray that Kenya’s border opens on schedule and remains open.
• Pray for Daniel as he continues to train and study.
• Pray for guidance as we finalize homeschool curriculum plans.
• Pray for contentment as we are patient for His timing.

A few real-time updates

North Carolina has entered phase 2 of re-opening which means we have been cleared to resume training. We will begin on Monday June 1^st with a tentative ending in mid-August. Currently Kenya’s border is still closed. Please pray fervently that reported COVID-19 cases would reduce and that this would be a catalyst for improved lives world-wide. That as a result the borders would open and AIM AIR would be able to increase much needed flights for the kingdom workers that they serve. Pray that we will be able to depart in time to attend Africa Based Orientation (ABO) in October.

A moment about AIM AIR (AA)
 

In the last year AA has been evaluating the need to make some organizational changes; both in how they operate and how they fund those operations. This is partly due to the struggles of operating under 2 governing bodies; the FAA and the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA); and partly due to a changing market (those that need AA services and how they are provided). The COVID-19 situation has brought many of those issues to the service. Most of AA flights require crossing borders, and right now they are closed. They have been granted special permission to cross borders for certain flights but it is greatly reduced. Previously, AA was funded solely from flight purchases. They are shifting to subsidizing that cost with raised funds. Aviation is expensive and doubly so in an international setting. Would you consider contributing to the AA operational fund?

https://usgiving.aimint.org/project/aim-air-operations

To learn more about AIM AIR check out their website.

https://aimair.org/

An indelible imprint

An immeasurable reward that comes with serving in missions is the privilege of meeting so many individuals who leave an indelible mark on our lives. It is deeply contrasted by the reality that living a life of transition means saying goodbye too often. This reality is magnified when the meeting and the goodbye are so close together.
Delivery supplies to missionaries in South Sudan isolated by COVID-19Grandma Irene saying goodbyeKids first time seeing the oceanEvery Thursday after lunch you could find all the children of the Bethel apartments on JAARS campus lined up outside Irene’s door. Grandma Irene; as she became known, opened the door with a smile on her face and popsicles in hand. She loved nothing more than to kneel down and listen to a child prattle on about a big jet, a caught lizard, a princess dress or anything they felt was imperative to tell her until eventually she would say, “I’ll be right back, I have to go take care of my big boy.” Her big boy is her husband Jim. One day Jim was told by doctors that due to his bone cancer he had 2 years to live. He decided that if he only had 2 years he wanted to spend it serving the Lord. So, for 6 months every year Jim and Irene would move from their home in Illinois to JAARS and volunteer in whatever compacity they could. Their first trip to JAARS was 17 years ago. While being a grandmother to any child, and a caregiver to her ailing husband is impressive, that is only the beginning of what makes Irene special. She has a drive that is fueled by compassion and her love of others through Christ. She would often say to me, “Oh, you know me, I have so many things going on.” We couldn’t keep up with her ever-increasing list of projects. On top of all this, we can add humility to the list. Irene would never compare anyone. Irene would tell us, “Don’t compare yourself. Get that negativity out of here. We all do only what each of us can do for the Lord.”

She ran the sewing shop on campus and many of the bed quilts, window curtains, kitchen towels in the housing here were made by her. When COVID-19 struck she stepped into action very quickly. While being very careful with isolation due to Jim’ health she began coordinating mask making. I started by just ironing fabric, then She found out I could sew. You don’t tell Grandma Irene no, so I started sewing masks. The JAARS sewing team; with Irene at its core, has collectively made upwards of 3,000 masks, 50 isolation gowns, and 200 ear-saving headbands for the healthcare systems in our area. This doesn’t include the clothes she makes for Jim, the Easter baskets she made for all the kids here, the mother-baby gowns and surgical drapes she makes and sends to Africa, or the denim stockings for the 40 kids that her church in Illinois sponsors. The few things I’ve listed actually pale in comparison to all the things that make Grandma Irene so special to all the families here. As Jim and Irene pulled away from campus there were many tears from children, Irene and parents alike. It is a sad parting because all the families here are in transition and may not see them again; it is a sad parting because this will probably be Jim’s last trip of service to JAARS and it is a sad parting because we have said goodbye to amazing drive, daily encouragement and the energy Irene brought to us. It was a somber day as all of us in the apartments as we contemplated the imprint on our lives where Irene used to be.

Connect with God

• Pray for reduced COVID-19 cases and causes
• Pray for AIM AIR as they make tough decisions and operate in this unstable time.
• Pray for Irene as she cares for Jim in what are possibly his last days.
• Anna and the kids have 2 weeks left with homeschooling. We are looking into which curriculum to use next year. Pray that they finish well and for curriculum decisions.

The Dark Before the Dawn

Where are we? What are we doing? When will we leave? What are our plans?

… and other “W” related questions.

The JAARS leadership has decided that to maintain compliance with the North Carolina stay-at-home order that Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) will pause and resume after re-evaluation of the situation on June 1^st. We finished all our classroom and book work via zoom and personal study this week and the next phase is practical application. We are unable to maintain social distancing while working together for practical application; this is what lead to the decision to pause PFO. We will remain at JAARS during the 6-week pause; we want to be ready to go if the order is lifted and we can resume early.

So, what are we doing with our extra time?

I think a lot of us are asking that question right now; the “break” of quarantine has more than worn off and we are looking for things to do. We are not in short-supply of things to do here. Anna and the kids were cool before it was cool as they started home-schooling in January. They continue with that each morning and they are progressing well through the semester. Lydia is getting better and better at reading every day and Jude’s cursive is beautiful and far better than most adults. Our downstairs neighbor; Grandma Irene as the kids call her, is a seamstress and has coordinated a sewing team here at JAARS. She found out that I (Daniel) sew and was persistent about recruiting me. The JAARS sewing team has produced over 1000 masks for the local hospitals and is also sewing masks for those who live and work on JAARS campus. I am also working on my FCC (Federal Communications Commission) radio license. This is personal study that I hope to complete and test on before PFO resumes. Assuming PFO resumes on June 1^st and stays on schedule we will complete PFO around August 7^th.

“Hey, weren’t you supposed to leave for Kenya on July 9^th?!”

Yes, that was the plan. For now, Kenya’s border is closed so we will now depart as soon as PFO is complete and Kenya’s border re-opens. I realize there are a lot of “assuming’s” and “if’s” in this plan as it is all a little nebulous right now. All our decisions and plans have been made prayerfully and in conjunction with JAARS’ and AIM’s leadership.

This past weekend as we celebrated Easter we reflected on what the disciples went through in that in-between as they waited. It rang true as we are also in a season of waiting. They buried Jesus on Friday and prepared burial spices but could not return to the grave to apply the spices because it was sabbath. They spent a day which should have been restful and worshipful in mourning. They knew the prophecies, Jesus spoke about returning; but there still must have been doubt weighing heavy with the darkness of grief. Song writer Andrew Peterson says, this is…

“the storm before the calm,

the cold before the warm,

the tears before the song,

sometimes all I see is darkness,

this is the dark before the dawn.”

Though these times are uncertain and many things are unknown, the reality is that our relationship with God should remain one of trust. God knew COVID-19 would happen when he helped us bring in our support in time to be at PFO. God knew borders would close as He prepared missionaries to depart for the field. When God told Jeremiah; a prophet in captivity, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11) He knew this promise would only come after the people remained in captivity for a time (verse 10).

“And I could finally believe

The king had loved me all along

I had a dream that I was waking

At the burning edge of dawn.”

I encourage you find peace as you rest in His sovereignty. None of this is a surprise to Him and He has plans for you, but they may come after the dark, the dark before the dawn.

I will leave you with a quote from JRR Tolkien’s “Return of the King.”

“…the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.”

We know that COVID-19 has impacted each of you as well. We would love to be able to pray for your specific needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how this has changed your lives and ways we can pray for you. We are connecting with God on your behalf.

Remember, the darkness is only a small and passing thing and the light of His glory is forever beyond it’s reach.

I am adding in an additional update amid COVID-19 as many have asked how we are doing and how this affects our training and future plans.

Our Family:

We are doing well and our groceries (and TP) are stocked. The JAARS campus is closed for the day-to-day staff but is a great place for kids with plenty of open spaces to play. This is a huge blessing; since the campus is somewhat closed-off from the outside world we have freedom to leave our apartment and stave off cabin fever while remaining on JAARS Campus.

In case a haven’t already I will take a moment to explain what/who JAARS is. JAARS (Jungle Aviation And Radio Services) is the aviation arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators. AIM AIR doesn’t have any aviation facilities in the USA so they are a Subscribing Organization to JAARS Standards and are partnered with them for technical evaluation and training. This is in North Carolina and is where I went through my Technical Evaluation last August.

Daniel’s Training:

My training has been modified to maintain as much social distancing as is practical. That means that any class work that can be done at home (or from an isolated location) is being done via a virtual classroom. So far this is working well and the PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) training schedule is on track. We will keep everyone up to date as this unfolds and we get a clearer picture of how this will affect our timeline.

Organizational response:

Both JAARS and AIM have issued their official responses, which are constantly fluctuating as we continue to learn more. Among other things, both responses include the basic COVID-19 advice for social distancing and limiting group size. JAARS has stopped aviation operations for at least the next 10 days with the exception of the modified maintenance and pilot training.

In light of the panic and unrest that has taken place I want to leave you with some encouragement from scripture that is applicable for these times. I am reading through Revelation right now and this verse struck me. Even in the final days of judgement it is revealed to John that the elders fall down before God, cast their crowns down before Him, signifying their authority comes under Him and proclaim:

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

Everything in existence is here because He allowed it and falls under His authority. COVID-19 doesn’t phase God because He maintains authority over all things. His sovereignty is a great promise of hope for the Christ-follower.

The following is an exert from the Director of AIM International in his response:

“Note too, that Jesus doesn’t say “don’t fear, because everything is going to be fine.”  Quite the contrary.  We can find plenty of verses that tell us that things are not going to be fine, at least in this world.  But some very important things are going to be just fine.  Like…

• The Father loves us, saves us, seals us, cares for us, and nothing can ever change this.
• Jesus is building His church, and nothing can ever stop this.
• We are being transformed, and made into the image of Christ, and nothing can prevent this from eventually happening.
• The days of our life are written down, and nothing can take away even one of them.
• Jesus’ lost sheep will hear His voice and come to Him, and no one can stop any of them.

My precious fellow workers, take heart.  Our Father is good.  He is powerful.  He is in control.  We are His.  The blood of Jesus is the guarantee of everything, and will be victorious over COVID, Ebola, Malaria, HIV, Heart Disease, Cancer, financial woes, insecurity, closed borders, and whatever else this fallen world can throw at us.”

We are grateful for your prayers as supporters and know that we have prayed for you as well. We know that this has affected all of us in some way.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 6:33)

 The pace has certainly slowed down during the month of February. We met our goals a week early at the end of January, and among those goals were a few non-support raising items.

• We completed our required readings for AIM.
• Anna finished her final course for Biblical competency requirements.
• We wrapped up our discipleship program.
• Our weekly skype meetings with AIM have dwindled from once a week to once a month.

At our final counseling appointment our counselor asked, “When you look back on everything over the past few months, was it really as hard as you thought it was?” Anna and I looked at each other and in unison emphatically replied, “Yes!” Needless to say, we had a sigh of relief as we took a step back from the hard work we had put in and we now rest in His provision. As we take a “sabbath month” I understand the biblical mandate to take a day of rest more clearly. Not only is it beneficial for our bodies and our minds to rest; it is beneficial for our spirits to reflect on His provision through our work. This is a balance that Anna and have learned about deeply through this process. When God calls us to do something it will require work but we have to remember that the fruits our labor are due to God’s grace and provision.

This past Sunday we had to opportunity to participate in Missions Sunday at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, MO. Concord is the church I grew up in and one of our ministry partners. After introducing all of the represented mission partners they asked Anna and I to stand down front and the church body gathered around us to pray over us and send us out. I want to bring you to that moment with me. Anna and are holding hands and I bow my head but before I close my eyes something struck me about the familiarity of the green carpet. How many times growing up have I looked down at this carpet or seen these green pews? I closed my eyes as those around us placed hands on us. I hear the familiar voice of Monte Shinkle begin to lay a foundation of prayer. How many times have I heard this voice pray, teach, encourage, sing, admonish, instruct…lead. If there were one man, aside from my father who I have learned more about Godly manliness and a walk of faith from it would be Monte Shinkle. I listen to his voice and the heaviness of the moment pushes me down into this reflection of his discipleship; and then a euphony of whispered prayers from the congregation around us begins to rise up and join him. As I catch glimpses of phrases from the various prayers around me I realize a new understanding of the unity of the body of Christ through congregational prayer. It is bolstering to our faith as the one’s going out to FEEL the support and prayer from the body of Christ back home. He finishes with “Amen” and we lift our heads and open our eyes and are offered handshakes and hugs and blessings as they stay and we go. My family moved several times as I grew up and so when someone asks “Where is home?” I can’t think of one particular house or city, but during this experience I realized that this is my home. Not Jefferson City, but rather Concord is my home.

This month we had the opportunity to visit one of our ministry partners, Plevna Community Bible Church in Plevna, KS. This is a special connection as they supported the former avionics technician for AIM AIR 10 years ago. While it Kansas it was good to spend time with family and friends, eat great food and say goodbyes. It was a bittersweet time. Home school is going better than expected and in addition to this the kids have had even more education about kids. Two more baby goats were born in February. That’s a total of 4 goats born during our time here at Shiloh. We celebrated Gideons birthday early with family since we will already be in North Carolina on his birthday.

What now?

This week our primary focus is to finalize packing both for North Carolina and for our final departure to Kenya. What do we need for the next 4 months and what can stay behind with the luggage we will take to Africa? We don’t know either! What we do know is our final luggage will consist of 5 carry-ons, 5 checked suitcases, 1 travel toolbox and 14 footlockers; each weighing no more than 50 pounds. So we are reducing our existence to 20 pieces of checked luggage and 5 carry-ons. Please pray for us!

This coming Sunday we will have a commissioning service at Shelbina Christian Church in Shelbina, MO and then each lunch and get on the road to begin the trek to North Carolina to begin training at JAARS. After 4 months of training we have 10 days to come back to the Midwest, say final goodbyes, get the rest of our luggage and make our way to Atlanta, GA where we will leave to fly to Nairobi, Kenya. Once there we will have 3 weeks of orientation there, then 3 weeks of language school and then finally begin to adjust to “normal life” in Nairobi. 2020 will most certainly be a year of transition.

What can you do?

 
Connect to God on our behalf and pray:

• Pray for our luggage decisions and our communication through this process.
• Pray that in this stressful week of preparation and transition we maintain our time in prayer and reading
• pray that even though we are busy and that we will communicate well and have grace within the family.
• Pray for our children as we leave Grandma’s and head into many transitions

Spread The word:

• Please share this with anyone who may be interested in following our story.

 Contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to continuing a dialogue with each of you.
 

 Blessed to bless,
 Daniel & Anna Miller

You heard it correctly, we are 100% funded and have been financially cleared! We have met at outgoing expense and monthly commitment goal. We are praising God as it was clear that these results are because of His faithfulness to move in His people. We really cannot say thank you enough to each and every partner who has prayed, given a one-time gift or partnered monthly. We have repeatedly heard from individuals are have sacrificed comforts, rearranged priorities and scrutinized budgets to be able to partner with us and it truly a humbling experience. Several have reported that they received a raise and decided to increase giving. It brings glory to God when he trusts His people with resources and they respond by giving it away for the work of His kingdom.

“Unless you are a bush missionary, you will never fully understand how much it means for a plane to come carrying mail, produce, a daily paper, or spare parts for a broken down car. It may seem so small, but to us, they mean the world. We are forever indebted to AIM AIR and all they do for us over and over again.” ~worker in Kenya

This is the work you partner in. This is a way you have engaged in The Great Commission by Christ in Matthew 28. It is the large things of delivering relief supplies to a persecuted people group or a medical evacuation. It is transporting indigenous pastors to receive Bible training. It is the small things, bring mail or simple supplies to missionaries in the bush which means more to them than we can know. This is varied and vital ministry of AIM AIR.

I am writing this update while on a break at Garmin where was blessed with the opportunity to attend 3 days of training on some of the equipment that is installed in the AIM AIR fleet. It has always been a dream of mine to come to Garmin (yeah, yeah, I’m a dork).

Where do we go from here?

We are currently living at Shiloh Chrisitan Children’s Ranch where Anna’s parents are home parents. From here we will go to North Carolina for 16 weeks of training. AIM AIR; as a smaller organization, has no state-side aviation facilities. For this reason they have partnered with JAARs which is the aviation wing of Wycliffe Bible Translators. JAARs in North Carolina is where our Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) is held. This is also where I went for my technical evaluation. After completing PFO we will have 10 days to finalize packing, say final goodbyes and get to Atlanta, GA where AIM’s headquarters are located. We have two days of check-out meetings and a sending ceremony before we fly to Nairobi, Kenya.

While here at Shiloh in addition to home-schooling the kids have had some neat experiences on the farm. Jude came in and declared: “For unto to you this day is born…a goat!” He was the first to find that the mama goat had given birth after he “heard her bleating.” They also get to go to “The Blew Cafeteria” for lunch. They think Grandma Blew is the best cafeteria lady!

We are still and always will accept new partners. If the Lord leads you to partner with us, don’t think you’re too late. Cost of living, insurance, and many other variables are always changing and we know that God will continue to provide partners as our monthly budget fluctuates.

Connect with God on our behalf:

• Praise Him for His provision of partnerships and support!
• Praise Him that homeschooling is going well and pray that this continues!
• Ask for stability and safe travels as we make move 2 of 3 at the end of the month.
• We have been given an extension to sell vehicles before we leave in July. However, our monthly payments are not budgeted into our monthly expenses so the sooner they sell the better. Pray that this happens.

Our financial clearance on February 4^th is fast approaching and we are so close to our support targets! Thank you to all of you who have partnered with us in God’s ministry through AIM Air!

We are praising God that we are at 88%; that means we need only $887/month more in commitments. As I write this we have exactly 2 weeks until clearance. Would you stop right now and pray specifically that the $887/month would be met?

How will God meet this goal?

• Through our current partners; would you consider increasing your commitment by $5, $10 or $15/month?
• Through new partners; would you join our team with a monthly or reoccurring commitment?

We could meet our goal with

• 9 partners at $100/ month
  • 18 at $50/ month
  • 36 at $25/ month

Our outgoing goal is 100%! We continue to need one-time gifts as this will help us cover vehicle expenses once in Nairobi.

It will be amazing to see how God provides for us! We hope to update more frequently through these next few weeks. I invite you to keep up with us and track our progress as we trust in God’s faithfulness and we draw closer and closer to our goal.

Proverbs 3:5-6

First and foremost, thank you! We are at 95% of our outgoing expenses and that is large-in-part due to the faithful giving of monthly partners. It truly is amazing to see God’s people come behind us.

We were able to enjoy Christmas with family. It was meaningful to spend holiday time with them before we set out on this adventure. This was our last Christmas with them for several years. We will be moving to Anna’s parents this week to reduce cost until training begins in March. Having sold nearly all our furniture we and are packing for training in North Carolina and then Nairobi in July.

Anna and I began to feel the weight of support raising a few weeks ago as we were at 67% of our monthly goal and only 7 weeks remaining. I stopped Anna in the hallway as she was pacing and we prayed together. “God, we give you these fears, these anxieties. We are overwhelmed by the enormity of this. Please give us guidance!” We went about our day with the tasks in front of us until not even 10 minutes later we received a call from a potential ministry partner who informed us of their pledge that brought us to 74%. God told me in that moment that much like evangelism, we are called to the task but the results are the work of the Holy Spirit. We are to press on day by day in our task, resting in His faithfulness, as He begins to move members of the body to partner with us.

That being said, we need your help.

Will you please intercede in prayer with us over the next 30 days for God to raise up partners with us to help take the Gospel to the unreached in Africa?

A few thoughts:

1. Often the company you work for will match donations to 501(c)3 organizations (AIM counts!). This would double your current donation!
2. Will you advocate for us? Even if you yourself can’t financially give, you can still pray and share our story with your friends and family.
3. We have a lot of people who have blessed us with one time gifts. If you can pledge this yearly, you can make it count towards our monthly goal! Example, if you can give a yearly gift of $120, this counts as $10/month! $500 is $42/month, and so on.
4. Any amount really does add up and help! We are so blessed that even a $10/month gift with prayer makes a huge difference! We know it is given sacrificially and you will be blessed because of it.
5. There are 207 people who follow us through our emails who are not currently partnering with us. If all of those people gave only $10/month we would meet our goal.
6. Don’t forget to start your pledges, our deadline is February 4th!

Our deadline is February 4th. Training in North Carolina is only once a year and starts in March. We need $3,680 to complete our outgoing expenses. We are at 74% monthly support which means we only need $1,830 to reach 100%. We must be at 100% or we will be delayed until March 2021. We are so close, but we will not get there because of anything we do – all glory and honor goes to God and He shows His faithfulness as we press in with prayer. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us.