Thurman Update #14 (Written Jan. 29th, 2005)

Germany: International Staff & Council Meeting
This month all the Antioch Network staff, council and guests had a wonderful time of praying and sharing stories of God’s faithfulness with each other. It was great for me to visit with the many friends Noleen and I have made over the past four years, who are part of the Eifel fellowship in Germany. Through our prayer and time together we continued to discern that my family is to continue to pursue the work to establish an Apostolic Center in Germany of non-stop worship and prayer that influences the German people and Nations beyond. ( I am attaching a newsletter from the Mileys)

House
Most of you knew that we were praying about the possibility of getting draw for a subsidized home in the heart of downtown Phoenix. On January 10th our name was drawn! Wow, what a gift from God, there was no way that we would get a house on our own. This is a true provision from God. The challenge is that we do not know exactly when the house will be finished, the best-case scenario is this July. We are asking God to provide a temporary housing situation for us until then.

New Developments
We are entering into our eighth month on staff with Antioch Network. It has been all that we hoped it would be. We started off the journey knowing that God was leading one step at a time. This continues to be the case. It has been affirmed that I am to be a part of the International Development Team. It appears my role with George Miley will likely be evolving, we are pursuing the possibility of me taking on the role of George’s personal assistant. We wait for God’s confirmation in this. We also have a sense that the summer of 2007 will be the probable time for our family to move to Germany. Again, we wait for God’s wisdom.

Spring
February/Mexico:
A close friend of Antioch and someone I am enjoying getting to know is Brian Donahue; he has begun a center in Nogales, Mexico that is akin to the vision for apostolic center in Germany. He has created a center that is designed to make disciples through the Celtic model of prayer, study, and work. The work is caring for the impoverished Mexican people and serving the Mexican national pastors. Brian has invited my family to come down in February to pursue the possibility of working with him while we are still living in Phoenix.
March/Africa:
We are still praying about this but it looks hopeful that I meet my wife and children in South Africa (who will fly down with her parents) where I will for the first time visit her homeland and meet her family. From S.A. I will fly up to Senegal and join Mark Snelling, the President of Antioch Network, who has invited me to join him for an important Wolof Consultation. (More about this to come soon)

Financial Updates
Currently 25% of our budget is coming from monthly givers, another 25% from periodic one-time gifts, and another 25% is coming from an after-school program I am teaching to Native American Students. We ask your continued prayers for the provision of the remaining 25%. If you are interested in how you can be more involved with what we are doing please contact us via email or cell phone. (cell phone 602-791-4892)

Love,

Ryan, Noleen, Ethan & Keilah Thurman