Summer 2020

Ministry
We've been busy in 2020!

SonSetLink™ monitors, SonSet® radios, transmitters, antennas, and Solar Media Centers -- engineered and manufactured at SonSet Solutions, and shipped around the world to partners dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our teammates are currently preparing 1,200 SonSet radios for shipment to a radio ministry in Africa. Donations to SonSet Solutions, even during the pandemic shutdown, have funded these radios.

 We learned recently that, in spite of the coronavirus shutdowns worldwide, we assisted almost exactly the same number of ministries in the first half of 2020 as we did in the first half of 2019! This is remarkable, and a clear indication of the Lord's grace and sovereign hand in ministry – ours and our partners around the world.

​Soli Deo gloria!

Thank you as well, dear brothers and sisters, for your faithful steadfastness in supporting this vital ministry. Our work to help share the gospel world-wide would not be possible otherwise, and you've demonstrated this in some wonderful and amazing ways in 2020.

High-Caliber Interns

This summer, three interns joined us.Erin Trantham, studying electrical engineering at LeTourneau University; Grant Mathias, studying physics at Grove City College; Nathan Wilson, studying computer engineering at Liberty University.

Each of these interns has worked hard and served well in their time here. SonSet Solutions is a great place to intern for the Christian technical student with a heart for ministry and missions.

The application window for summer 2021 internships opens in September 2020. If you know of anyone that may be interested, let them know! More information is available at https://sonsetsolutions.org/students/

Family News

• Abel is nearly two months old. The Turners are enjoying their new home and the nice back backyard.
• JR continues at the Lee Richardson Zoo, and this week began work on the the brand new lemur house. It will be debuted in September.
• David is doing well in Taylorville, IL. His job and church activities and service keep him busy.
• Anina and Tyler are settling in. Anina will complete her preceptorship this week at Elkhart General. Tyler will be resuming his college studies this fall.

Creativity

Creativity from the Creator​

The SonSetLink™ water monitor is one of several cool things engineered at SonSet Solutions for advancement of the Gospel.

As Christian ministry workers we recognize that our creativity comes directly from an infinitely creative God, who painted His creation with a remarkable brush, forming a breathtaking universe.

Believers everywhere can reflect his creativity with our own tiny subset, which we can bake into our work, no matter what it is!

Ministry: Creativity for the Kingdom

​The SonSetLink™ water monitor was voted “Coolest Thing Made in Elkhart County” this week. We are grateful and appreciative for the award as well as the exposure gained for SonSet Solutions. Please pray that God will use this to expand what He is already doing using SonSet Solutions. We are excited to be a part of this innovative ministry.

John is primarily back to the office as are most of our coworkers. Jean usually works remotely and goes into the office when needed. We are grateful for our three summer interns as well.

Local broadcasters came out to cover the award presentation; we know of at least three stations that reported the event.

We praise the Lord for being able to not only share about SonSetLink™ water monitors, but also share about what SonSet Solutions does.

Family News

• Abel James Turner arrived June 8, 2020. We are all grateful that things went smoothly with the delivery and birth. The older kids adore him. Eleanor says that he is "the best baby in town." Jean enjoyed time with the grandkids during this time.
• JR is mostly back to his regular areas at the Lee Richardson Zoo, but will soon be the zookeeper working with the brand new lemur house.
• David continues to do well working with MarkNet Alliance and is glad that his church is meeting together in-person again.
• Anina and Tyler bought a house in Elkhart and are settling in. Anina began her orientation at Elkhart General on June 15 and was on the floor a week later.

Coronavirus Update

SonSet Solutions News: Spring Break Students

When we moved to Elkhart to serve, we knew right away we'd like to host students. Hosting has been a good experience for us overall, and we enjoyed hosting these two students this month. These two young men are studying at LeTourneau University and spent their spring break helping us on various projects here at SonSet Solutions. The social distancing recommendations for COVID-19 came out the week they were with us.  Please pray for these students as they adjust. Like almost every student we know, they are finishing their year online. David Tixier (a senior studying engineering technology) is next to Jean, and Elias Eaton (a sophomore studying mechanical engineering) is next to John.  With social distancing guidelines, the leadership has made some hard decisions. Some of our at-risk folks are staying home. John has had to suspend the devotional time and are taking prayer requests via email. During this all, Jean was able to do something fun -- sit in front of the microphone to record a new phone message – if you call SonSet Solutions you'll hear her familiar voice. Our leadership will continue to face difficult decisions and this could be a tough time economically. ​We are facing a tough time worldwide and pray for God's continued grace on us all so that others may come to know Him.

Family News: Adjusting to COVID-19

We are grateful for technology that gives us all the ability to communicate during this time of social distancing.The recommendations from our authorities are met with mixed responses from many and while social media and media in general can be inflammatory, it is a blessing to able to use technology to make sure family and friends are doing okay without spreading germs.  ​ Elizabeth, expecting baby #3, is laying low and at home with her two little people and Peter is working hard. John and David, each seem to be having a harder time getting meat, produce, bread and things, but there does not appear to be difficulties with them having work at this point Tyler and Anina, like John and Jean are in the midst of work-arounds for the churches we attend to provide for needs as we temporarily suspend in-person services. We, in Elkhart, seem to be finding things but not the cheap brands we are used to buying, so we are doing okay. For Jean, and many of us, it is stressful when the kids and grandkids are all living farther away; it's times like this that she wishes we could just all hunker down together. It's a natural response during stressful times (think back to the Holocaust). Anina, like most college students we hear of, is continuing her schooling with Bethel University online, but unlike other students, clinical could be an issue. Her clinical hours were curtailed a bit when a travel ban came through her county, and we are praying for a good resolution. However, it was such a good experience for her to be a part of the reorganization of Elkhart General Hospital during this coronavirus crisis. This is a time of being responsible, staying home, doing our part whether you agree or not with the recommendations. There is also grieving for people who have died, but also grieving for things lost--funerals where only immediate family should attend, graduations that will happen without the usual fanfare, social community as we knew it and much, much more. However, those things will return. It will take time and we can help each other get through. Don't think we've left God out of the picture! Our hope remains in the God who never changes and is ever-present in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

LIbrary "messy hands" days, when the library was open Smiles at home