Missionary Gal Update

Just an ordinary gal serving an extraordinary gal...

JULY 2011

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I cannot believe it is already July! I hope that this email finds you doing well. I thought I would update you on a few things. Mission Trips into Melbourne Jono and I returned from our bi-monthly trip to Melbourne so that I could volunteer in the missions office. I am so excited to see what God is doing in Australia and with Australians serving overseas. I count it a blessing to be working behind the scenes in the Australian offices. I get newsletter updates from various missionaries during the week and these stories encourage me in my work as I provide support work to them. Host Families and Family Visits Since we travel at least two times a month to Melbourne, there has been several families that have graciously opened their home for Jono and I to stay. Our stay can be from 2 nights to a week at a time. I cannot tell you how blessed we are by these couples and families that open their hearts and homes to us. This has helped in our missions works to be close to the offices while in town.

Yvonne (Felix) Schroder Serving in Australia Schroder Family 6 Scott Court Echuca, VIC 3564

Jono, the baby and I have plans of returning back to America for a month visit in April of 2012.

During our recent stay in town we were very fortunate to be hosted by another lovely couple the Hardisty family. We enjoyed our stay with them and that same weekend we drove another 3 1/2 hours east of Melbourne to visit family friends for a few days, the Coxs. We have not seen them since the wedding in December last year, so this was a much overdo visit. We thought we would do this trip before I get too far along in pregnancy. New Beginnings Home Bible Study Group A few weeks ago Jonos parents asked him to do a bible study for a man who was new to the faith. Jonos passion is discipling new Christians and reaching out to those who are interested in God but dont really attend church. So of course he was excited about helping out by facilitating a study. When we arrived there ended up being about 15 people in attendance, comprising some believers from various local churches, new believers, and even some non-believers. This was a surprise but great! Jono taught the basics of Christian faith and the critical need for God in their life. At the end of the study people asked when the next gathering would be. This was exciting for both Jono and I. We could not wait until the following week. The following Tuesday there was another group of 16 people, including some new faces. Word of mouth was spreading quickly. Week #3 there was about 25 people. Jono shared the teaching in order to empower someone else. The group is growing bigger each time. Jono is trying to find ways to connect into smaller groups with everyone so that people can communicate their questions and thoughts without being intimidated. Week #4 brought another 23 people. This time we broke up into three small groups and then meet together for a study. I cannot believe what God is doing and so quickly. The group is looking in to going through a planned study program. Please pray for direction in this and the leaders God will rise up.

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Home Life in Echuca Jono has just begun his 2nd study Trimester for 2011. I could not believe the pile of books he has to read! Since he does the majority of studying from home he has to be disciplined in planning out his week schedule. This (from my point of view) is his strong point. He normally wakes up early in the morning to do his bible reading goes and has his coffee and then hits the books. I normally see him a few times throughout the day when he comes in from his office for lunch or breaks. I count it a privilege to be with him all day. Though I am not sure how I am going to react to him working full-time next year when he completes his Bachelors Degree. I guess I will cross that hurdle when I have to. Hannah is continuing to thrive in her job and doing really well. She hopes to save up for a car in the coming year. Her pet rabbit died recently which was a difficult time for her. As for me I am continuing to learn how to balance home life and duties with my volunteer missions work. Sometimes I cannot believe that I am a wife and soon-to-be mother. I look back over the past few years and totally see how God has prepared me for where He has placed me. I volunteer full-time with two missions organization. With OM Australia I receive daily address changes of our missionary partners to update. Monthly I handle our office schedules and Calendar of Events. I have recently taken on doing administrative work for our Field Leader on Sydney, Australia. This keeps me busy three days a week. The other mission organization I work for is HCJB Australia which broadcast overseas the gospel in more than 120 languages and dialects. This is done locally from our Kunnunura facility which is located in Western Australia. For this office I handle Missionary Care and all Personnel issues and matters. In this position I have been thriving, as it utilizes my best skills. The mission organization is planning on sending me to Western Australia in August to spend some time with the missionaries that live there. I am very excited about this prospect but am dreading flying into this remote location at 6 months pregnant but I cannot pass on this opportunity because the possibility of me being able to do this after the baby is due is very slim. I would appreciate your prayers on this and I will let you know the dates once my flights have been booked. Local Ministry Opportunities The local church we attend just received news that our pastor has resigned from his position. The church has been going through a lot of changes so this recent news just adds to those changes. Jono is already scheduled to preach three Sundays in July at our church so we will have a Pastor/Teacher for at least that time period. Not sure what God has in store for us or what involvement we will play in the future of the church, but Jono and I are prayerfully ready for whatever God brings our way. Baby Schroder I am now five months pregnant and starting to show. I just had a doctors appointment yesterday and the doctor said the baby is developing well. I was very happy to hear that. My 20 week scan showed a healthy baby moving around. Looks like this little one will be active. OM Australia allows me 4 weeks of vacation leave per year. We have decided to take that leave when the baby is due. This leave overlaps with our annual end of year office shut down, so this time off allows me to focus on my new little one and adjust to how my role in missions will change. Until the baby is due, I will continue full-time in my missions work. Page 2 of 3

It is my hearts desire to return back to missions but I am being realistic about taking on the role of a new mom. I am placing me desire and hopes in Gods hands and we will see what the outcome is. America Visit Oh how I miss my family and friends. Everyone asks me if I am getting over being homesick. I have realized that homesickness will always be a part of my life. Of course when you leave not just your home but country and way of living and begin a new life there will always be adjustment. I am fortunate to have a husband who supports me in every way and wants to make my adjustment to Australia as smooth as possible. Since we got married Jono and I have discussed visiting America. We now have plans of returning back in April 2012 for month visit. We covet your prayers as we make these plans and save for the cost of the trip. I know it may sound funny, a full-time student and missionary couple saving about $4,000 for a trip overseas but since January we have committed to putting all our change in a jar for this trip and I am encouraged to see how all our loose change is adding up. I am convinced God is multiplying those dollar coins.LOL! This trip of course will give us time to connect with family and friends as well as give them the opportunity meet my husband and new baby. I hope to share at my home church to give an update on missions and what I have been up to and we want to catch up with a few other churches to see the work that the Lord is doing in the USA. This prospect of visiting the USA has put an extra spring in my step and has lightened my homesickness. I have not been home since July 2010 and I miss my parents and loved ones a lot. Some of the hurdles we need to jump are: 1. Getting approval from Australia for me to leave the Country, since I am still being processed to be a Permanent Resident. 2. Renewing my passport as well as changing my name to Schroder prior to departure. 3. Applying for Baby Schroders passport. Yes, an infant has to have a passport to travel overseas. We appreciate your prayers on these matters. Thank you all for your time in reading my update. We appreciate all your prayers and support. During tough times it has helped heaps! With much love,

Yvonne (Felix) Schroder

Prayer Points for this newsletter are in BOLD.
FINANCE DETAILS OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA Attention: Hilary Thomas PO Box 444 Tyrone, GA 30290 *Write on the Memo: Yvonne (Felix) Schroder /#2274777 OPERATION MOBILIZATION AUSTRALIA PO BOX 32 BOX HILL, VIC 3128 Postal Address: PO Box 32,BOX HILL VIC 3128 *Write on the Memo: Yvonne (Felix) Schroder

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