Jason and Joy Jordan

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The Jordan Family News

October 2009

New “Teammates”
The word “teammates” is in quotes because of the way our Southern Team functions. In Krasnodar, we now have 14 C&MA missionaries, 7 of whom just arrived in the last month. Here’s the breakdown of our team: four in language study, nine in full-time church ministry (church development, teaching at a Bible college, administration, etc.), and one who teaches the missionary kids in a homeschool setting. Let me give some form of introduction to our new “teammates”.
Phil and Melissa Arndt have just returned to the field after being gone from Russia for 3 years. They are in their third term, and are adjusting to life here with two kids in college in the U.S. and one at Black Forest Academy (BFA) in Germany. They are the coordinators of the Southern Team, which means we all interact with them on various levels.
Matt and Terri Fisher have arrived for their second term. They have been actively involved in the local Bible college here (KECU). Matt teaches full-time, while Terri homeschools three children at home. They also have a child at BFA.
Vangie Pattison has come to Russia for the first time. She is teaching the Fishers (3 kids) and the Lovells (4 kids). She is a huge help to the homeschooling needs of these two families and is committed to teaching here for two years.

Ministry Strategies Part 4
Some missionaries have seen a lot of success using a strategy of building a community center. Building and running a community center is the main strategy in some of our mission fields in the Middle East. International workers can rent or buy a facility, but in the long run, it seems that buying might be the best use of funds. Either way, that means there is a big obstacle: funds. Community centers become places that both believers and non-believers feel welcome. We have seen these centers become safe places for Christians and Muslims to interact, for genuine education take place in the form of English classes (or maybe computer classes). Usually these centers have a coffee shop, classrooms, and sometimes large meeting rooms (which could be used for churches). The main focus is for believers to connect with unbelievers. This can be accomplished if the unbelievers sense that the community center is for them, and it’s not a Christian church that is just redecorated. Over the past several years, work teams have been sent from the U.S. to clean, build, and set up these centers. International workers have found that this strategy is the only way that they have been able to become acquainted with non-believers. How do you make inroads into the lives of people who are so different (different religion, worldview, language, culture, etc.)? One possible answer: Community Centers.

Update on Ethan and Other News
Joy, Ethan, and Laurel will be leaving Russia for about a month to return to the U.S. for Ethan’s assessment. They will stay in Mt. Airy, Georgia, with Joy’s parents. The center that Joy is taking Ethan to is located in Woodstock, Georgia, a two hour drive from her parent’s home. They will make four trips there over the course of the month for the whole process of assessment and debriefing. The goal is for us to understand exactly what Ethan’s needs are and how best to help him in his development. We are fully expecting them to return to Krasnodar on Dec. 9. One highlight for them will be to spend Thanksgiving together with family. Jason will spend the month getting more immersed into the Russian language. It will be like a month-long return to bachelorhood. We are thankful for Skype!
For those of you in the Clearwater, Florida area, we will be speaking via Skype at Clearwater Community Church on Sunday morning Oct. 18. If your church would like to do the same sometime, please contact us.

Cultural Note
In Krasnodar, the main street downtown is called Krasnaya (“Red”). It is one of the most significant historical streets because of the many old buildings that are located on it. On the weekends (Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday), half of the street is shut down for car traffic. Pedestrians, cyclists, and rollerbladers can take casual strolls without much concern for vehicles. On holidays, Krasnaya is often the chosen street for parades, festivals, and military demonstrations.

How You Can Pray For Us

• Praise God that the details for Ethan’s assessment are coming together

• Pray for the specialists to know how best to help Ethan

• Pray for our speaking opportunity at Clearwater Community Church on Oct. 18

• Pray for God to give us passion and vision for reaching people in Russia

• Pray that we will see much progress in our communication in Russian

• Pray for all of our finances to be well supplied: the Great Commission Fund, vehicle fund, ministry fund

• Pray for Laurel as she “really” begins potty training

Russia

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