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We are blessed to add the prayer letter of Joy and Paul Mueller to our site.

Thanks to members Del and Dorleen for sharing this with us.

Mueller Email Prayer Letter – September 2008

Volume 4, No. 6

“Apologies to all for sending this late” I used that line in the last prayer letter. Sorry – but once again, we are late. This is due to a number of things and they will be shared in the prayer letter below.

Since we wrote last, Paul has been in Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, S. Africa, and Senegal – that alone has kept the Mueller family busy and active! His work in Uganda and Sudan was accompanying short-term mission expeditions – exploring the possibilities and opportunities to work with the National Churches in those countries. But not just as a one-time mission trip. These churches were asking questions about how a long-term commitment with short-term teams might look and work. Though the trip may last only two weeks, the intent is to return to the country 1-3 times/year for the next 5-10 years! Have you ever thought about that type of short-term mission trip? It might be a way for your own congregation to experience the joy of supporting a National Church and its mission and vision over a period of time and watching, seeing, and rejoicing in the successes accomplished over time. If you are interested in pursuing this type of opportunity, don’t hesitate to contact Paul or Bruce Wall. Bruce’s email is Bruce.Wall@LCMS.org.

Probably the biggest event in the lives of Paul and Joy is following. As we related in our last prayer letter, Joy was working for both LCMS World Relief and Human Care and World Mission. However, LCMS WR-HC did not renew her contract. Since there was no full-time employment for her on the field with World Mission, and since she did not receive any “bites” from NGOs or other organizations in Africa at this time, her options for employment turned to the states where she was excitedly embraced back into the 11,000 student North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Independent School District 622 serving as the Middle School Instructional Specialist developing 180 teachers who serve the 2,700 students in their three middle schools. As a result, she sleeps in MN (the commute from Africa would have been a bit long). Therefore, that is where Paul wants to sleep, too! So, his ability to live in Africa is compromised. According to policy, the Regional Director (RD) must live in the region where he works. Therefore, since Paul cannot fulfill the policy, he cannot serve as RD. As of January 1^st, 2009, Paul will no longer be serving as RD for Africa – LCMS WM. In the meantime, he will help the new Interim RD transition into his position. Though the time will pass quickly, together they will do whatever they can so the handover is smooth and effective.

Let me (Paul) say, I enjoy my work immensely. I have learned a GREAT deal. I have made many mistakes. I hope I have made a few good decisions along the way, too. The work being done in Africa is unbelievable and wonderful. The changes which have occurred over these 3+ years have been huge, and in my evaluation – not only helpful, but excellent and visionary. This was not because of me, but because of the missionaries on the field. There is a GREAT team in place – and the team is growing with some FANTASTIC new people.

As you might guess, these life changes for Joy and Paul are unexpected and rather huge. Paul will be job-less beginning January 1^st – a situation which is somewhat new for him! Know of any openings? It will also be a life-change for the Interim RD for Africa and the eventual full-time RD as well. And, it will mean changes for all of you, too! You have faithfully supported us over these last 3+ years. You have prayed and listened and given of your gifts and tithes. As a result, we were able to participate in God’s mission in Africa – all over the continent. For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Neither of us would have exchanged these last years for anything.

As you consider how to continue your support of World Mission activity in Africa, please consider the following: we have some GREAT new missionaries coming to/already on the field – Mike and Cindy Rodewald in S. Africa, Jake and Michelle Gillard in Uganda, Jack and Cathy Carlos in Guinea, and Shauen and Krista Trump in Uganda. These folks need your prayers, but also your financial support. They are truly some of the best missionaries I have seen come to the field in years. If God leads you to continue your support of missionaries in Africa – please consider these families.

Prayers:

1. Praise God for the years we were able to serve in Africa.

2. Praise God for the faithful prayer and financial supporters that have stood by us these last years.

3. Praise God for the new missionaries coming to or just recently arrived on the field: Gillards, Trumps, Rodewalds, and Carloses.

4. Pray for Joy as she gets back into the swing of things – the fast-paced hustle and bustle of the American work-a-day world.

5. Pray for Paul as he waits God’s guidance regarding future employment in His mission fields.

Thanks again for the prayers and support we have received. Please keep in touch with us. Paul’s email: Paul.Mueller(atsymbol)LCMS.org*. Joy’s email: JoyAnnMueller(atsymbol)Yahoo.com. Our snail mail address is: 1820 Onacrest Court, Maplewood, MN., 55117.

If you wish to support the ministry of the missionaries listed above or projects of National Churches, please send your gifts to: LCMS World Mission, 1333 South Kirkwood, St. Louis, MO., 63122-7295, ATTN: Missionary Support and indicate the support is for the missionary by name. To support projects of LCMS World Mission visit: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=5878.

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