Newsletter — November 2022
November 2022 (Thanksgiving) Newsletter
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18
From the keyboard of Dr. Ross Jutsum
Featured picture above — the “Blomberg Seven” in Guinea — Lisa and Jon (holding twin boys Aaron and Noah,) in front are Solomon (their “Solo” child) and twins Isaiah & Evelyne
Dear family, friends and ministry partners:
We survived Hurricane Ian and then Tropical Storm Nicole (which became a hurricane!) Having left Southern California in January of this year, along with its earthquakes, droughts, fires, mudslides, traffic etc., we didn’t expect to deal with a hurricane here in N.E. Florida so soon! Thankfully, we fared well with only a couple of minor leaks, unlike so many of our neighbors who were inundated with water and the damage that resulted. We are so grateful for God’s protection and His mercy. Shortly after the hurricane, Tammy admired a pillow cushion with the inscription “give thanks with a grateful heart” and our neighbor gifted it to us as a reminder this season of Thanksgiving that we should always have an “attitude of gratitude” not just on Thanksgiving Day but every day so graciously God gifts us!
This season we are especially proud of our son-in-law, Dr. Ryan McAnnally-Linz (Heidi’s husband.) Ryan has recently co-authored another book with his mentor, Dr. Miroslav Volf, entitled “The Home of God,” (A Brief Story of Everything.) The book, published by Brazos Press, came out in late September. I found this book to be extremely enlightening and encouraging! Ryan continues teaching at Yale University Divinity School and is Associate Director of the Center for Faith and Culture. Heidi continues working as Deputy Director of Yale’s Macmillan International Center. It will be wonderful to welcome Heidi’s family here for Thanksgiving.
We will have to wait till next summer to see Lisa’s family. News flash! The “Blomberg Seven” have completed their missionary work in Turkey and, for the past few months, are now living in Conakry, the capital of Guinea in West Africa! God has opened new doors for both Lisa and Jonathan to serve once again with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF.) This is the organization Jonathan previously served with as a pilot. In this new location, Jonathan will once again serve as a pilot and Lisa will serve as the Country Director for MAF.
Needless to say, this is a major transition for Lisa and Jonathan and the entire family and is especially a challenge for the children who, at their tender ages (6 ½ year old twins Isaiah and Evelyne), 4 ½ year old Solomon, and 2 ½ year old twin boys Aaron and Noah) are attending a French-speaking school. (Their parents are already totally fluent in French.) Lisa and Jon have this new calling, along with a fervent desire to serve God and His precious children in this part of the world. Please do pray for their safety and security and for their housing and schooling needs to be met, as well as for peace of mind, needed help with the children, and for like-minded friends.
Tammy and I are hoping for our whole family to be together next summer when Lisa and Jon will have a spiritual retreat somewhere in Europe. We SO miss our grand-children! In this new community on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, we are finding new ways to minister to our neighbors and to shine the light of Jesus. We have a number of ministry trips planned around the Christmas season, including one to serve at the Grace Communion congregation in Big Sandy, Texas (our old stomping ground from 1990-1998.)
We thank you so much for your prayers for our family and ministry and also for your support. Please know that Tammy and I regularly pray for you and yours.
Happy Thanksgiving!
With gratitude, love and blessings,
Ross and Tammy