December 2013 Part 2

Thurman   Newsletter We have had a good Christmas Season and continue to celebrate as we move towards the New Year.  We hope yours was good and pray this note finds you well.  As we reflect on the good gifts from this past year, we think of your friendship and are grateful. As we move into this new year we continue to learn to trust God for the provision of this work.  We are asking that you would pray and consider giving a year end gift.  We are also in need of new monthly supporters starting in 2014.  We are 50% supported through committed gifts.  If you would like to support us or know of anyone else who might support A2J please email us and we can meet and talk with you. With love and gratitude,  Ryan and Noleen December- A month of loving and serving Passing out about 50 presents to the homeless and our neighbors Partnering with multiple churches for two events at the Prayer House for the homeless Outreach to elderly at Ridgecrest Singing Christmas Carols in our Community Community Outreach in Ajo, Arizona Offering Hospitality and Housing to a woman from Cameroon seeking Political Asylum     Ridgecrest Outreach Elyana passing out gifts to Homeless friends Christmas gift exchange  (with our new friend from Cameroon) Christmas Eve Homeless outreach Dec 21st Homeless Outreach Neighborhood Christmas Caroling   Our new friend from Cameroon Keilah and Micah passing out gifts Ridgecrest Outreach Christmas Outreach in Ajo, AZ

December 2013

Season's Greetings  from the Thurman Family   We hope this note finds you well and present to the goodness of God so clearly demonstrated in this Season where we welcome Jesus who came 2000 years ago and remains with us and will come again as Christ the King to restore all things and we will "walk in the light of the Lord"  -Isaiah 2:5. We thank God for you friendship and support!  Thankful for the ways our lives have been intertwined through Jesus! To read our Christmas Newsletter click here With Gratitude and Love

November 2013

News From Ryan and Noleen Thurman

Update on Noleen and Europe   Well it is me, Noleen, again; I guess this will make twice in one year, I must be on a roll!! I write to you all to express my many thanks to all of you for your prayers and support of my family and I during this intense season. It is definitely much appreciated and needed. Since being back from Germany, we have been to the ER four times, been under the care of nurses at home at least 5, been to the doctors and lab offices...well I lost track now. But on an up side, I took stitches out by myself for the first time-that lessened one doctors visit, and sweet Micah was more than willing to be my patient! Our boys are now stitch free this week, but will have the scars to remind them for years to come. If I were to choose one word to give an update on myself personally, a couple of days ago: frustrated, but now I am hopeful. After experiencing abdominal pain over the past week on top of all my other symptoms, we ended up spending 6 hours at Good Sam's ER. The CT scan came back with ovarian cysts. Friday, I continued to struggle for most of the day with shortness of breath and low blood pressure and under direction of my neurologist and Ryan very lovingly "making me", we were back at Good Sam Friday night with concern of a blood clot causing these symptoms. I will tell you that Ryan literally busted out into a dance in my hospital room when the doctor told him test came back negative for a clot! But this still left the begging question of why for almost two weeks now, have I had a dangerously low blood pressure multiple times causing numerous other side effects. Basically it comes down to this: test after test, more blood drawn then I even know, more medical staff checking me out then in all my life combine: I am the one in a million who's body is rejecting the seizure medication with this side effect; now the second medication that I have tried to no avail. But as I sit here today, I am blessed by a sweet husband who loves me deeply, my kids who care for me, dear brothers and sisters who are coming around us to deliver meals for my family, and amazing friends who continue to offer help where needed. I am hopeful for being able to return to my functionally self soon as I am now tapering off my medication, and praise the Lord, I was accepted by the doctors at Barrows Epilepsy Center to be seen by them on December 3rd; it took half the time that I was originally told. In closing, please keep praying, especially for our kids, who are more affected by all of this than they are able to express.  We are all feeling a bit "done" with it all, but knowing we are not at the end yet. I am continually encouraged by what God is doing in our lives, blessed to think I got to go to Germany and be with some of our closest spiritual mothers and fathers, and excited to see what is to come next. Love you to you all! Noleen Germany Report You can see photos to the left from the Gathering.  We met at Volkenroda the name of a small village where a modern Christian community has restored a Cistercian monastery founded in 1131.  It was a very meaningful time for Noleen and I to be there together as our role in Europe increases.  Click here to read a full report from George and Hanna Miley and click here to see more photographs. Rome Report I was part of a team of nine with the Kincaids (AN staff) to be part of a Prayer and Vision trip preparing for their move to Rome in February.  The Kincaids share similar vision with A2J and we plan on working together. In Rome we: met and prayed with ministry leaders, did evangelism and outreach to the large immigrant population, picked olives for the Bible College to help them supplement their income, and prayed a lot.  To watch a video about the vision for Rome   click here    Phoenix Report A2J Phoenix is moving forward the Woodland community continues in its deep pruning season.  There is healthy development in the Whitton community and there is movement towards starting Brentwood Community in the new year.

October 2013

Health Update, Redemption Story, Rome bound & Finances October, 2013
Dear Ryan, I hope this note finds you and yours well. For the past few months we have been trying to figure out what has been causing some health issues for Noleen.  After meeting with a Neurologist and going through a series of tests, Noleen was diagnosed last Thursday with complex partial seizure disorder (Epilepsy).  Please pray for helaing and for wisdom as we are in the process of doing research on all her options how to address and live with this if God chooses not to heal.  The house- we met with the owners last week and they continue to ask way more than the house is worth and more than we could afford.  So we have peace to lay this down for now and trust God's best for our family.  Thanks for your love of our family and this ministry.  We are grateful,  Ryan and Noleen    "The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
Spotlight on Shelly - A Story of Redemption We met Shelly about seven years ago when we moved downtown into the Woodland Historic neighborhood. She was homeless and living in the backyard of the house next to the A2J Prayer House. She was lost and without hope.  Recently while giving a presentation at our church Shelly said, "I used to watch how they  (A2J) not only loved one another but the whole neighborhood and I saw something in them that I wanted." This was the beginning of Jesus drawing Shelly to Himself. It began with conversations that turned into potlucks and bible studies. She soon chose to put her trust in Jesus and has been following Him since.      Shelly is now part of the long-term A2J team and is well respected in the neighborhood and leads many of the outreach and compassion work within the ministry including living in and running the A2J Hope House.                                                        "The story of any one of us is in some measure the story of us all." Off to Rome and Germany This Sunday I leave with Matt Rucker for Rome, Italy.  We will be connecting with Todd and Christie Kincaid, who are fellow Antioch Network staff.  We will make up a team of nine that are there to support the Kincaids as they prepare to move to Rome early next year.  The Kincaids have a strong desire to establish a new work in Rome that will be in partnership with A2J.  I am honored to get to be a part this process.  After our time in Rome we will fly to Germany on the 20th to connect with Noleen, Justan and Amber Jesse (from the A2J team) where we will attend the Antioch Network Gathering that will be in Volkenroda.  We believe this meeting will be instrumental in hearing from God, for our future developing roles with Antioch Network and A2J in Europe.   "Jesus did not come into this world and live His life on a mountaintop isolated from human suffering. He walked among us, ate with us, and shared in our humanity. He did not heal lepers form a distance, but touched them into wholeness. He pressed His disciples and prayed for them to be in the world but not of the world. The focus of their three years together was not the salvation of the Twelve, but their ministry to the whole world"    The Vision A Movement and Way of Life with Jesus: Calling people to pursue a distinct life of discipleship and mission that transforms individuals and communities The Mission Starting and supporting intentional discipleship communities networked locally and around the world

September 2013

Pray 24/7 for 1322 It's me, Noleen again, my yearly writing I suppose :)  So as many of you have been asking me about 1322, the house just down the street from us....well the owners just came to us yesterday to say they are ready to sell! That in it self is a huge answer to prayer; it has been six months of silence from them. I know we are still a long way off though and God alone knows what is in store. For those of you who may not know, it is the only house in our small historical neighborhood that would double our tiny square footage, and be room enough for 4 rapidly growing children, and I mean rapidly...have you seen Micah, he's huge...passed big sister, now he's aiming to catch big brother. I have just left them a message and am waiting to hear back from them, to find a time for the four of us to sit down and talk together hopefully this coming week. We will keep you posted on when it is scheduled. We already know there are going to be many hurdles in front of us. But none of them are to large for God to help us jump over, if it is His will. In the brief conversation that Ryan had with the owner yesterday as she stopped by, we already know that they are wanting way more than the house is worth. And that they are upside down on what they owe, and are trying to get some of their loan forgiven. I am torn...it excites me to think of the possibilities, but again I find myself hesitant to step back into it. I am going to choose to lay my heart out there, not knowing the outcome. But the way I see it, first of all we owe it to God to pursue the house after almost a year of praying and the fact that they did come back to us and are "offering" it to us is amazing. And our sweet children too, who still fervently pray for 1322, all on their own account. Our littlest prayer warrior at almost 4, Elyana, still asks me to drive by 1322 so we can pray.   If I don't physically stop in front of the house and just try to do a slow "drive-by-prayer". Oh, she is sure to let me know, "Mama, we have to stop so I can pray!". So I figure lets go for it!! I choose to, again, step into the unknown, trusting that God has what is best for this Thurman family here in downtown Phoenix. Even just sitting here typing these words, and the thought of allowing my self to be vulnerable to His plan, clay in the Potter's hands and bringing my family along for the ride too...has my heart pounding and tears streaming down my face...it is hard to type while crying too, I can't see!! Please once again join us, and I know many of you have not stopped praying, but in this next season for 1322. Pray that we will be able to meet with the owners soon. Pray that the owners will have a heart for us as a family and be willing to sell at a reasonable price. Pray that the bank holding their loan has mercy on them and is willing to forgive a portion of what they owe. Pray for the protection of our hearts in this season, that we continue to lean heavily on our BIG GOD, and for what HE has in store for us. Especially our sweet children, as we walk down this road as a family, may their faith deepen and grow through this experience. Thank you for all of you who walk this life with us, praise be to His name!       ~Noleen

August 2013 Part 2

Come Spend some time with George and Hanna Miley A Ministry of Reconciliation The A2J Team would like to invite you to come spend some time with us as we listen to George and Hanna Miley share about their ministry of Reconciliation and also about Hanna's recently released book. Space is limited to about 25 so if you would like to come please reply to this email so we can reserve you a spot.  Saturday September 14th 10:45-12:00pm A2J Prayer House 115 N. 12th Ave. Phoenix, 85007 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation

August 2013

Thurman Newsletter

Dear Ryan,  We hope this email finds you doing well.  Our family is great, we had a really special summer getting time up in Payson and a trip to Oceanside to play at the beach.  We begin this new year refreshed and energized for the work in front of us.  The Work of A2J is on solid ground with a great team and we are excited about our growing role in Europe.  You can read more about this below.   Thanks for all your love and support it is a strength to us personally and to this ministry! We are grateful, Ryan and Noleen

Update from Germany  It's been ten years since Noleen and I were invited into this redemptive story, this is about God calling a German Jewish Holocaust survivor, (Hanna) to return to the area of the profound wrong done to her with the message incarnate in her life that Christ transforms people in such a way that we are able to love our enemies. God heard those early prayers in the Eifel , and a ministry of reconciliation sprang from them that is still ongoing and being extended. Three years ago I traveled with eleven others from Gemünd to Köln to Lodz, Poland where the transport from Köln delivered Hanna's parents to the ghetto here, where they spent the last six months of their lives. We then went by van from Lodz to Chelmno - about one hour away. It was at Chelmno that Hanna's parents died. There we had a simple Jewish ceremony - the Kaddish - to remember and honor them   last month I was able to rejoin 8 of the 12 of us who took this trip three years ago in Gemund (the town of Hanna's birth) and we were part of a ceremony laying down the Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) in the main walk way through the town. We prayed the Kaddish again to honor and celebrate Hanna's parent's life and ask God's kingdom to come in fullness here. You can click the above movie to see a slideshow of this event.  You can also purchase Hanna's new book here God continues to lead Noleen and to a greater role in Europe.  This October, Lord allowing, Noleen and I will attend the annual Antioch Network Gathering, it will be held in Volkenroda, Germany.  This will be a key time for us to discern our future in Europe together.  you can click this link to read more about the upcoming October Gathering Loving of our City  Before the summer began A2J was able to partner for the second year with City Serve in Hope Fest.  We were able to pray with many of the guests that came to this event.   (click video to see highlights) Every Monday morning at 8:30AM at the A2J Prayer House a few of us pray for our city.  We would love for you to stop by and join us if you can. A2J Prayer House address:  115 N. 12th Ave.    The A2J Team While I was in Sarajevo, Bosnia 12 years ago I stumbled into a little store near the 'grand bazaar' and I found one of Eugene Peterson's books, I have no idea how it got there but I knew it was meant to get into my hands, in it I came across this quote, "The essential thing in heaven and earth' is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something that makes life worth living." I am often asked why my family and a team of others have chosen to relocate and live together in the heart of the city with all its brokenness. I believe it is to bear witness to a way of life in Jesus that isworth living. The early followers of Jesus were known as Witnesses and those who belong to theWay. We like them are learning from Jesus the importance of being in a place and embracing it with its particular needs and knowing the people, their names, their families, their pain and their hopes and living with them in such a way that we can bear witness to the LIFE and goodness of Jesus. Partner with us   The Vision A Movement and Way of Life with Jesus: Calling people pursue a distinct life of discipleship and mission that transforms individuals and communities The Mission Starting and supporting intentional discipleship communities networked locally and around the world

June 2013 Part 2

Dear Ryan, We hope this email finds you and yours doing well.  I was reminded recently that God is His wisdom and kindness has called each one of us to be his instruments of peace and hope to a broken world in spite of our own limitations.  Nouwen hits it home when he writes: "The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God." Thank you for your love and support of our family and our ministry with Antioch Network. Love Ryan and Noleen
Our love and belief in the local church only grows stronger...working for a mission organization and being part of a movement of intentional discipleship communities one might miss this. We have been blessed to be a part of three wonderful churches, Open Door Fellowship, St. Georges, and now Christ Church Anglican and we've partnered with many more.  We enjoy every opportunity we get to serve and enter into the rich life of our Christ Church Anglican community (who love and support us so well) whether it is using our photography 'skills' to chronicle the life of the church or working with the children and youth or helping facilitate outreach with us downtown.  Noleen and I recently were able to work together in VBS (I was the Apostle Paul). We resonate deeply with these words from Jim Wallis,  "The greatest need of our time is for koinonia, the call simply to be the church, to love one another, and to offer our lives for the sake of the world. The creation of living, breathing, loving communities of faith at the local church level is the foundation of all the other answers." Within the ministry of A2J we are to be a voice crying out and declaring God's love for His bride and we are committed to serving and being a blessing to the many diverse local churches we are part of.  newspaper article about upcoming Stolpersteine ceremony on July 1 Leaving for Germany on Wednesday...I leave for Germany early Wednesday morning and have a sense that this is going to be a very significant trip. I would greatly appreciate your prayers of protection for my family while I am gone and also for the time of ministry with George and Hanna.    As I wrote last time we believe this summer is a culmination eleven years of prayer and obedience. We believe God longs to move and bless the people of the Eifel (the region where Hanna was born).      July 1st the Stolpersteine (remembrance stones) will be laid in honor of Hanna's parents kids at Bear Flat When I return from Germany... Nols and I will be celebrating the wedding of Amber and Justan who are dear friends and part of the A2J Mission Team, and then we will head up to Bear Flat as a family to enjoy one another and the beauty of God's creation. God is steadfast love and His kindness endures forever.