Thurman Update February

Dear Friends, 

It has been a couple months since we have communicated.  We wanted to reach out and share what has been going on in our lives.  We would love to hear from you as well

Family

+ Noleen's health ... Noleen is doing well, she has recovered from her Nocardia infection, and I think we are done for a while having to see four specialists (Infectious diseases, Neurologist, Oncologist/Hematologist, and Rheumatologist).  All this to say it has been a challenging year and a half.  We thank God for your prayers and support.  She continues to have minor seizure episodes every few weeks but manages them well. This weekend Noleen is participating in a 3-day intensive for her international certification to become a doula.  Birth doulas offer expectant mothers emotional support, encouragement and wisdom throughout labor and birth 

+ Trip to Africa....March 19-31st Noleen and Keilah will be traveling to South Africa for a family wedding for a few days and then will spend the rest of the time in Zimbabwe partnering with missionaries that Noleen worked with, before we were married.  Click this link to watch a short video about Keilah's creative way she has been raising money for the orphan children of Zimbabwe.  

+ 1322 W. Monroe ... For almost 3 years we have been waiting for the opportunity to buy this house.  It is only 8 houses down from where we are now.  It would allow more space for our children to grow up in and provide a backyard for us.  We have sensed that this is key for us as we desire to stay in the neighborhood for long-term (we have been their 9 years already)  The owners of this house have been difficult to work with.  Please pray as we are trying to sign a contract as early as next week.  

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1322 W. Monroe Street

Antioch Network (AN)

+ Role of President ....I have been prioritizing visiting our staff and their different ministry expressions.  Last weekend I was able to visit Christ the Reconciler founded by Thomas and Amy Cogdell who are also giving leadership to the Wittenberg 2017 Reconciliation initiative.  

+ Reconciliation Work ...I find myself lately spending time with people I would have never imagined.  Here locally, I have been building friendship with the Catholic bishop, Orthodox priest, an Egyptian Coptic Monk, and next week I will be meeting with an Armenian priest.  Why, you may wonder?  I believe we are in a historic time where God is orchestrating reconciliation in His Church.  One of the main instruments in this, is the persecution that many brothers and sisters are experiencing around the world.  God has allowed me a front row view as I now serve on the Leadership team of Wittenberg 2017 (International reach) and the John 17 Movement (local reach)

John 17 Movement - Reconciliation work in Phoenix

Wittenberg 2017 - International Reconciliation Movement

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A2J

+ Our City .... We move forward in the call to love our city one neighborhood at a time as some of relocate into neighborhoods to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors.   The past six months we were able to help facilitate bringing a six varied ministries together under the  Community and Growth collective, to build friendship and learn together how better to love our city.  March 7th we will be facilitating a gathering of Christians from different traditions coming together around the theme of God's heart for Reconciliation and unity.  YOU ARE INVITED click link for more details.  

loving our friends who are homeless in Woodland

+ Global ...This month we have the wonderful opportunity to strengthen our friendship and partnership with the Kincaids (who are serving in Rome) and are part of the AN team and partnering with A2J.  I have been with them twice in Rome and they will come visit Phoenix for their second time. (picture below of us together in Rome on vision trip two years ago)   The Russels whom we also partner with are in Phoenix for a month to strengthen friendship and receive training as they prepare to return to the Philippines in early April.  

Vision trip in Rome with Kincaids Oct. 2013

With gratitude, 

Ryan and Noleen

2014 In Review

We started off the year with Noleen at Barrow trying to figure out the cause of her seizures.  And we ended the year in similar fashion.  In between we had a lot of fun as a family. 

 

 

Noleen just got out of Barrow this week and again she did not have a seizure, so they are still unsure of the cause.  She has had other medical issues this year including a bout with Nocardia a potentially life threatening rare bacteria infection.  She is currently waiting to see a rheumatologist and a blood specialist to continue to try to figure out what is going. 

At the height of Noleen’s health issues we also went through the painful process of  losing the A2J Prayer house which had been the center of our life of prayer and mission the past six years. 

It has been a challenging year for us, but we are not alone. We all suffer, this is one of the greatest things we share with one another and with God, who suffers with us. In this season we are reminded that God's plan always included suffering. Christ was born a child, lived a fully human life and was wounded and crushed for us; and by his suffering we are healed. 

Throughout this year we have experienced God’s love and comfort through each of you.  Thank You!

We also experienced some wonderful milestones this year: 

• Eleven years of marriage!
• Nine years with Antioch Network. 
• Eight years living in the heart of the city in the Woodland Historic
• Six years of Apprenticeship to Jesus. 
• This year I also became the president of Antioch Network 

Noleen and I are looking forward to giving leadership to the future of Antioch Network.  We are thankful for the great colleagues we partner with and the meaningful work we share together. 

Through the ongoing challenges we face in life, especially as we remain rooted in a neighborhood full of brokenness and pain we are slowly learning  "that we are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time.”

For nine years God has provided the finances needed to serve with the Antioch Network.  We trust that God will continue to provide through His people.  Thank you for your friendship, prayer, and financial support this year!

With Love,

Ryan, Noleen, Ethan, Keilah, Micah, and Elyana

A2J Prayer House

Working closely with the Mileys

A2J Brentwood launch

Interviewing the Community Garden Ministry

A2J Prayer ministry at Hope Fest

Hope Fest

A2J Woodland Outreach

Woodland A2J Outreach

Reconciliation work in Europe

Reconciliation work locally

September 2014

News From Ryan & Noleen
Have you ever experienced disorientation? We are, in this current season. Walter Brueggemann suggests that human beings regularly find themselves in one of three places: a place of orientation, in which everything makes sense in our lives; a place of disorientation, in which we feel we have sunk into the pit; and a place of new orientation, in which we realize that God has lifted us out of the pit and we are in a new place full of gratitude and awareness about our lives and our God.   In the midst of disorientation the word of God bursts forth like a flower in the desert   "Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". (Is 41:10)  Antioch Network President As I shared a few months ago.  I am now the Antioch Network President. We remain support based so we are thankful each of you who give financially to make our work possible.  The work of A2J remains strong and a priority for us even with our new role  I continue to discover all that God has for us in my new role as President.  It has been a joy to see our team grow.  One recent highlight is having Jeff Skeens  join the AN team.    I have known Jeff for twenty years when we first met through Young Life.  He is a great friend and we share much in common with regards to discipleship and reconciliation within the body of Christ.  We are partnering together in different initiatives here in Phoenix.   If you would like a overview of our past 9 years of work with Antioch Network click here Noleen's Health It's me again, Noleen. I have continued to have seizures every couple of weeks or so, but the cause still remains unknown.  I saw my doc last month and he suggests I try third medication. I have not been on any medication for about 6 months because the first two meds I tried had such terrible side effects. I do covet your prayers once more for this process as I am extremely hesistant to start the third one.  The Prayer House and Our 'Dream' House The God who allows us to become disoriented... Wow, what an intense afternoon we had yesterday. The owner of the prayer house called and asked us to be moved out by Tuesday, we were expecting to have until the end of the month (We are still praying that God will miraculously provide a way for it to be purchased so we can stay).   Five minutes after this conversation the owners of 1322 (the house we have prayed for our family) texted us asking if we were still interested in his house because they are ready to sell (we had not heard from them in over 9 months). We have prayed for this house for almost 3 years. Our emotions are running wild. To quote George Miley, "What is God doing?"  We don't know, although we know He is with us and bringing us to a place of of new orientation.  We wait expectantly for God 'Community and Growth'   Beginning September 16th I will be helping facilitate an important six month study with Jeff Skeens (Kineo Urban Renewal/Antioch Network), Sanghoon Yoo (The Faithful City), and Chris Somers (Neighborhood Ministries).  It will bring communities from diverse backgrounds together to learn together.  We also hope and pray that a network for the good of our city will emerge out of this click here for more details  A2J Six-Year Celebration...Save the Date!    Save the Date... Saturday November 8th!  We will be celebrating six years of God's faithfulness in our journey and honoring Him and all of you who have been a part of this with us.  We would love for you to plan on joining us.  More details to come
Contact Information We are vey grateful for your love and friendship Love,  Ryan, Noleen, Ethan, Keilah, Micah, and Elyana

July 2014

Text | Optional Link Give thanks and celebrate Jean Vanier quote             "When I visit communities, I frequently ask, "How do you celebrate?"  If they say, "We don't celebrate," then I know the community risks death."  I think this is not only true for our communities but for our families and even our own souls.  Vanier goes on to say, "We must learn to celebrate.  I say learn to celebrate, because celebration is not just a spontaneous event.  We have to discover what celebration is.  We know quiet a bit about parties, where we are artificially stimulated by alcohol to have fun.  We know what movies and distractions are.  But do we know how to celebrate our togetherness, our being one body?"     Yesterday we spent our monthly A2J retreat focusing on Celebration.  We spent a few hours acknowledging God's great love and work in our lives.  It was a powerful time that breathed life into us that will enable us to continue to give our lives to God, one another and our neighbors.   Italy Report Overview Danny and I spent 10 days in Italy.  We flew into Milan and drove down to Rome and back up to Trento, we drove over 900 miles and saw a lot Italy.  Our friendship was strengthened through this trip.  One of my personal highlights was to see Danny give his History of Church Divisions talk at the Wittenberg meetings.  He did awesome, it was so well received by all of the European leaders.     Rome (A2J Partnership) In October I was with the Kincaids on a scouting trip seeking the right place for them to live and the right ministry partnerships to connect with.  They moved to Rome on Good Friday.  Danny and I spent 3 days with them strengthening friendship, getting to know their kids, and praying and dreaming together how A2J Phoenix and A2J Rome can be grow in partnership and support.  It was a great trip. Todd, Christie, Adam and Madison Danny and I getting a tour of their neighborhood To learn more about their ministry click here Trento, Italy (Wittenberg 2017 Meetings) A key European leader made the comment during out times how interesting it is that a couple from Texas (Thomas and Amy, read their story clicking here) would be used of God to initiate the Wittenberg 2017 initiative.  I thought a lot about this during the 5 day meeting and I came to the conclusion that it is here in America where the consequences of the body of Christ being divided is felt so extremely.  We live in a time where a pastor in America can be quoted as saying,"if you don't like my church then go start your own 'damn' church."  Lord have mercy.    Wittenberge 2017 addresses specifically the 500th anniversary of the division that occurred during the reformation, but the more we gather to pray and seek God's heart we become more convinced that we are called also to address the divisions that go back farther.   The1054 schism between and East and West and ultimately to the first division in the Church between the Gentile and Jewish Christians in the first century.  To read an excellent report from this gathering click here (then click on Trento pdf.) Praying for Sister Joela Sister Joela is one of the leaders of the Evangelical Sisters of Mary who have a branch in Phoenix (Kanaan in the Desert) click here to learn more   To see a lot more photos from Wittenberg 2017 Gathering click here

May 2014

Thurman Update  May 2014

Greetings friends!  We hope this note finds you living well!  Thank you for taking the time to read this short update.  We are excited to share some important developments with you.  Antioch Network President I have been with Antioch Network (AN) for nine years.  Wow!  I have been part of the AN board for the past two years, and as of last month, I have been appointed the President of Antioch Network.  I will maintain my current role with A2J and will grow into this new role with AN gradually.  This is a good fit because I have worked so closely with George and Hanna (founders), which has allowed the values and passions of AN to take root in me.   I have also had the unique opportunity to be on site in all of the areas around the world where AN is serving and I have a strong relationship with the staff.  This role continues to move us toward the idea of spending some significant time as a family in Europe in 2016 We need your Help... After almost six years of renting a house for prayer and inner-city ministry, the owner (an out of state investor) gave us no notice and has put the property on the market to sell! Prayer House with for sale sign in front We have spent thousands of hours in prayer here and have welcomed many who have joined our pursuit of a life of prayer. We have been strengthened by the diversity of those who pray with us. One day it is the Director of Policy for the Governor, the next a homeless friend. All are welcome, but more, all are and necessary. We have had stood by Orthodox, Catholic and more Protestant streams than we can name. They have formed circles with our immigrant and refugee friends who are drawn to the hospitality and friendship of our community. Here in this place we consistently pray for our city, for the Church and for its for pastors and leaders by name. Here in this place we have been changed and so has our world.    Please pray that God will provide a way for us to keep this property or that he will provide another space for us.   Pray for the owner, that God will reveal Himself to him Here is a short video montage celebrating six years of life with Jesus at the Prayer House click here God is at work! As we grow in following Jesus, he is teaching us how to love.  Love God, our brothers and sisters even when they wrong us, and how to love our neighbors.  Many of our neighbors are the homeless that we live among.  Some stay with us for a while and then are gone without notice or even a goodbye.  We have learned not to take it personally but see it as a part of the deep brokenness of humanity that has, 'gone its own way'  BUT others stay with us for a long time and become part of our family and bear witness to God's mercy to heal! Shelly We thank God for the transformation in lives like Shelly, who was homeless for almost 20 years.  When we met her 6 years we invited her into our friendship and our pursuit of Jesus.  She has grown in so many ways and after helping run our Hope House for 18 months we nudged her out to live on her own and find a job to be able to provide for herself.  We rejoice with her, she has her first full-time job ever at Walmart (she is in her 50s).   In tears last night, at our team meeting, Shelly shared how her whole life she believed the lies poured over her by parents who said she was worthless and would never succeed.  She no longer believes those lies! Shelly at work at Walmart Anthony We met Anthony six months ago, he was homeless, like many others we learned to earn his  trust through hospitality and friendship.  We have provided a place for him to live the past 3 months in our Hospitality Apartment and he is now preparing to graduate from St. Mary's Community Kitchen Culinary school this month.  He is working and thriving and sharing the goodness of Jesus with whoever will listen. Anthony praying with me for one of the 10,000+ guests who came to Hope Fest Hope Fest This is our third year partnering with CityServe, A2J had two prayer stations set up to offer prayer to the guests at this event that provides long-term services to the most poor and vulnerable in our city click above to see more photos from Hope Fest Woodland Community Garden Home Depot came out in full force to help make our garden a jewel in the heart of the city.  Check out this short video from ABC news about the project click here Home Depot crew (click above to see more photos)

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

April 2014

He Has Risen"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live."

We hope this brief note finds you well and we pray you have a wonderful Easter!  Thanks for the many ways you have expressed to us the love and goodness of Jesus!

Watch this Video To watch a brief video from our Holy Thursday foot washing and our Good Friday morning prayer click here

With gratitude,  Ryan and Noleen Thurman