January 2009: review of 2008 Christmas Furlough

Wow! What a whirlwind 2008 Christmas Furlough!

It was fun! It was wonderful to see family and Friends! It was weird listening to everyone speak English! It was crazy squeezing in so many people in our schedule in a short amount of time and it was absolutely gluttonous, eating meals with so many of you! The Lord has blessed us with so many dear friends and family. We miss you already!

As we waddled back to Mexico, we reminisced about all that occurred on our 3 week adventure. Here are a few highlights:

• We spent glorious, refreshing family time with Hannah and Tim at the Ziese’s home for 4 days while they were on vacation. (Thank you Glenn and Nancy for sharing your home!

• Jeff’s truck broke down in Truckee, CA and we were towed and repaired in Reno (CV joint)

• The entire family was able to spend a few days with Grandma Phyllis (Jeff’s mom), Carol (Jeff’s sister) and Sarah (our niece) in California

• We all were able to celebrate Oma Ina’s Birthday (Ineke’s mom) and Ineke was able to see Mama every day while in Reno.

• The amazing Alger family let us invade their home for 2 weeks! (That is the ultimate test of friendship and sacrifice!! THANK YOU Mike, Anita, Mikaela and CJ!)

• We had a white Christmas!

• Hannah worked during her Christmas break as a snow board instructor (5th season) at Mt. Rose

• Tim visited with a million friends (if not more) in Reno

• Jeff’s heater stopped working in his truck….Bbbrrrrrrrr……

• We reconnected with many friends at the 2 open houses and reception in Reno and California. Over 140 persons in total attended! (thank you Nancy and Greg Latimer, Frank and Jeanette Meitz and Hugh and Carol Carter for hosting these events)

• Did I mention that we ate WAY too much?

• We were able to connect with many of our financial donors and friends individually in Nevada and California, pastors and the RCF mission board and we were able to share first-hand about the exciting things the Lord is doing in Mexico through Agua Viva Ministries. (Saying thank you is not enough to express our gratitude for your financial, moral/emotional and prayer support. Unfortunately the list is too long to mention all of your names here)

• We had the privilege to share at our sending Church; RCF (Reno Christian Fellowship) and also at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church. We also reconnected with friends from Hope Community and Newark (CA) Community Churches. We shared with 200 AWANA kids at RCF.

• We visited with former co-workers at Washoe County and St. Mary’s.

As you know, one of our goals during our furlough was to build up a team of people who could support us in non-monetary ways; especially in the area of communication and prayer support.

The Lord provided in areas we didn’t even ask….go figure! ☺
Romans 8:26-27 (The Message)

26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our present condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

So here is the list of wonderful people who signed up:

Nancy Ziese - Web design
Tony Riley - BLOG editing
Cheryl Pierce (RCF) - Distribute mass e-mails
Tom Giles - Edit video clips for web-site
Justin Lee - Coordinate quarterly prayer days

There were also many unexpected bonuses:

• Donated 2000 Toyota Tundra Truck (Thank you RCF Saddlehorn Home fellowship and Donna and Dave Davies!) WOOHOOO!

• Donated extremely large TV monitor for AVM seminary classroom (Thank you Frank and Jeanette Meitz)

• Medical Supplies for AVM (Thank you Heidi Flores)

• Above and beyond our regular donors; we received several extra unexpected monetary donations (Thank you Arzinos, Lewis’, Chinese Alliance Church, Latimers, Floras, Furmans, Hauperts, Leonards, Carters and Lewis’)

• Donated camera with video capabilities (thank you Tom Giles!)

Prayer needs:

• We are still are hoping to beef-up our prayer team. Please contact us if you would like to join the official prayer team! (You will love the secret Mexican hand shake!) jiglavor@aguaviva.com

• Pray for leads for information on Tax and self- employment laws

• Pray for smooth sailing as we negotiate with the Mexican government for our FM3 (Mexican resident visa)

• Pray for continued language skills

• Pray for clarity of mind as we plan for the busy season

• Pray for the entire Agua Viva Ministry (AVM) team and board of directors that we always stay focused on REACHING MEXICO FOR CHRIST

• Pray for the Churches, communities and the pastors in Mexico that we would serve them well

• Pray for the American (and Canadian) Churches as they are preparing to come down to Mexico to serve

• Pray for more alone time with God

• Pray for Tim and Hannah for college goals and finances

• Pray for Hannah and Tim that they would finish this school year strong

• Medical insurance

• Pray for health and fitness (body, soul and spirit)

The Glavor Family Contact info:

Jeff and Ineke: jiglavor@aguaviva.com
Hannah: bananaflavor@gmail.com
Tim: homestarmy@juno.com

Jeff, Ineke and Tim:
Mailing address:
Agua Viva Ministries
PO Box 1488
Lemon Grove, CA 91946

Shipping address:
Agua Viva Ministries
7107 Broadway PMB 229
Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Hannah:
Multnomah University
MSC #480
8435 NE Glisan St.
Portland, OR 97220