Anderson Update Christmas Edition

 

We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, blessing, and knowledge of our Savior.     M • Micah had a space day at Purdue University and started to learn to play handbells. • Marley Marie was born in March to David and Dominique. David continues to develop software in Central Illinois. E • Elizabeth and Peter homeschool the kids and attend and serve at Lansing Bible, our sending church. • Eleanor is taking piano lessons and is learning to crochet. R • Recovery from breast cancer surgery and radiation treatment both went pretty smoothly for Jean. R • Roles at SonSet Solutions continue for John (software developer, chaplain, personnel) and Jean (donation services, communications). It is busy. Y • Yard work kept John busy, too (as if he wasn’t busy enough!) as this was the year of the acorns.     C • Chicago, Illinois is where Tyler and Anina are now residing. They just moved in December. We will miss them in Elkhart but will have a good reason to visit one of our favorite cities. H • Hubbard Hill is where John’s parents live in assisted living. They are doing well there. • Hom family is getting more spread out. Jean’s nephew, Derek’s family, all live in Tennessee, but Jean’s three nieces live in Illinois still. R • Reunions are great—even mini ones (the one where the college friends come to see you when it doesn’t work out to meet at Wheaton for your 40th). I • IUSB graduation for Tyler, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in August. S • SonSet Solutions has assisted 108 ministries in 48 countries via equipment, service, consultation, training, and partnership development in the first three quarters of 2023. T • Thankmas happened because John (Robert) was able to get thanksgiving off from Lee Richardson Zoo (Kansas) where he is a lead animal keeper. We were all glad to be together. M • McCoy Memorial is our church in Elkhart. Our senior pastor retired; our interim pastor’s name is Mike. A • Abel is a big three-year-old boy. He is all boy and is a lot of fun. • Aunt Penny continues to live in Elkhart and is a great help to us all. S • Sovereign Savior came to earth to pay the price for our sin so we may find salvation in Him.       Solar Ministry Toolkits are great tools for Ukraine!   SonSet® radios continue to reach the very remote.

October Trip

"We stand on the common ground at the foot of the cross, as sinners saved by grace, irrespective of the function, gifting, or place that we are given in the economy of God's purposes." – Alistair Begg 

What a blessed time this trip was. It was a trip we had hoped we could make this past spring. To sum it up a bit: 

• 13 states 
• 6717 miles
• 21 days 
• 4 different time zones 
• we both have visited all 50 states now 
• unmeasured prayer support, encouragement and fellowship 
• views of God's creation that took our breath away 

Thank you to those who took time to meet up with us, share a meal and/or hosted us overnight. Your hospitality was appreciated. It was wonderful to catch up with you and share about SonSet Solutions. We enjoyed all the meaningful conversations! We also realize that we failed to get photos of all those we saw; too deep in our conversations sometimes. So sorry! 

Even while we were away many, of whom we did not see on this trip, texted or emailed that they were praying for us, and we felt encouraged all the way around. We consider it a joy to hear how you are being used by God where he has placed you and share that common ground with you for God's purposes and his glory!

Praises

• We praise the Lord for good travel this month for mission business and to see many of our support team.
• Praise that John's back is much better! The plan of treatment was changed to a more conservative one with some supplements and perhaps therapy.
• No more breast cancer follow up until next year. In February, Jean will have labs and a mammogram.

Requests

• Fall brings many opportunities for SonSet Solutions to be represented at colleges, universities and missions conferences. Please pray for the Lord to call some we meet to serve full time at SonSet Solutions.
• November will be very busy. We have several hosting opportunities in November. Please pray for us to get back up to speed and get back into the swing of things. We haven't had an apprentice, intern or volunteer since March. There are days we are tired.

Water Monitors

 

SonSetLink®

Cody Hall recently returned from Honduras, working with Healing Waters International (HWI). Cody was able to install and train at three sites in Honduras. Fraternidad, Mercedes and Sante Fe were updated with the new model of SonSetLink monitor that is solar powered. The Healing Waters ministry builds holistic clean water solutions and spreads God’s love in at-risk communities around the world, empowering people not just to survive, but to thrive – physically, socially and spiritually. Projects are sustainable and provide long-lasting development in the community.  In addition, please pray with us that as these three HWI locations will be able to demonstrate the gospel being lived out by meeting physical needs as well as spiritual needs.     Our call to missions – 13 years and counting: Thirteen short years ago, we started missions service. This was the start in understanding the true nature of effective and fruitful ministry – flexing and stretching. John's career and training was in software development and business. He started mission service in software development, but over time assumed a variety of other roles – I.T. duties, chaplaincy, and Personnel Director. Jean's career and training was in nursing. Yet over time she assumed a variety of non-nursing roles, most recently head of Donation Services. How did we both end up in roles that years ago we never could have imagined? It's nothing other than the Lord's calling and enabling – and our being willing to answer the call. The Lord stretches and grows us, pushing us beyond perceived limits, so we may be increasingly fruitful and faithful. The life and ministry of a believer is not designed to stagnate – not even in retirement. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. A call to missions: The need for workers in ministry is great – and nothing new (Matt. 9:38) Who can the Lord use for the cause of world missions? Anyone He chooses and calls! Callings are tricky, but often are borne out over time, circumstances, and wise counsel. We have many needs for kingdom workers at SonSet Solutions. If you sense the Lord might be calling you, we encourage you to take a step of faith and give us a call. We'd love to share opportunities for service – on site or even remotely. We are united to work together so that others may come to know Christ, choose to follow Him, and have true peace that comes from knowing Christ as our personal Savior.     Family Update (or look at our cute grandkids): Grandparenthood remains one of our greatest joys.

Praises Checkpoint Bible Camp was a blessing; three campers came to know Christ and others recommitted their lives to Him. Jean's radiation is complete. She had her last treatment on Friday, August 25. We are praising the Lord that she feels normal and was able to keep up with the schedule well.  Requests Please continue to pray for our church in Elkhart as we transition from our pastor of many years to an interim pastor. A couple of weeks ago, John suddenly experienced low back pain. An MRI showed a bulged disc and pinched nerve. John is scheduled for a cortisone injection in September and may possibly have physical therapy.

"Solar Power Survival Set"

Death, destruction, uncertainty, floods, food insecurity, bitter-cold winter days, missiles exploding in the night, electricity a “sometimes thing.” These words describe daily life in much of the country of Ukraine. Imagine living like this, raising a family, trying to feed your children, unable to use your cell phone to call relatives and know whether they are alive. The Ukrainian people are experiencing unimaginable hardship during the current season of war. Yet, amid this tragedy, God is at work. Please read the rest of the story here – https://sonsetsolutions.org/great-distress-greater-hope/ Jean's Corner ;) Cancer was not on my radar. I guess it's really not on anyone's radar, but there are other potential health issues I had been trying to avoid, so this was a surprise -- not that I thought I was immune from it, but it was a shock.  But the Lord is control, and I am so grateful for His sovereignty more than ever. Having said that cancer was a shock, I have to clarify that I have felt no loss of hope, no worry, but felt great peace. I have felt hopelessness and desperation before when my mother seemed determined to remain Buddhist forever. At that time, Proverbs 18:30 was a verse that I clung to: "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." That verse has never failed to provide me peace. God provided for my mother years ago when she turned from Buddhism and trusted Him, and He continues to do so. I want to take a moment to thank everyone. ​​Knowing you all are there for me and my family during this challenging time in my life means so much to John and myself. I would like to express our gratitude. Individuals, couples, churches, small groups, etc. are providing and blessing us, and the prayers, visits, calls, texts, cards, meals, gifts, gift cards and even cash have ministered to us greatly. There are no adequate words to say thank you for those expressions of kindness and love. Also, so many of you have continued to commit your prayers and support for SonSet Solutions. Thank you! We are united to work together so that others may come to know Christ, choose to follow Him, and have true peace that comes from knowing Christ as our personal Savior. Praises Jean received the official results which determined that there is no benefit to receive chemotherapy. John and Jean had visits from two college friends recently, as Jean was not able to attend the reunion at Wheaton College in May. They enjoyed a tour of SonSet Solutions. We are grateful for technology that allows us to "be together" for John's birthday. The new SonSetLink® Solar units have been shipped out to our partner Healing Waters International. These will go to Honduras and Guatemala. Requests Jean is able to serve with Checkpoint Bible Camp this upcoming week. Please pray that young people will respond to the gospel at camp. Jean will have radiation beginning July 31 through August 25. Please pray that she would continue to feel well during this treatment, as she hopes to keep working at SonSet Solutions and at McCoy. Please continue to pray for our church in Elkhart as we transition from our pastor of many years to an interim pastor at the end of August.

Radios...AI...

 SonSet® Radios

 

​Ladies in Dukana, Kenya use SonSet radios to listen to Bible studies at night, as well as hear music. It has been a comfort and a blessing to many of these ladies and has kept them from feelings of loneliness.

Jesus is in the business of healing and restoring lives. We have the privilege of partnering with this ministry as these people are loved, valued, and once again made whole. Read the full story here – https://sonsetsolutions.org/an-outcast-no-more/

Staff interns explore AI in missions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just the latest buzzword. There is incredible potential for the world of missions.

We have a great group of summer interns, and we praise the Lord that all of the five summer interns are here to serve! Two out of the five were young men we met while we were at Cedarville in January. 

These young men are leveraging AI to build technology which we will use soon in missions. AI has great potential to build solid foundations very quickly – for the technology we engineer and the software that drives it. The human factor is still very much needed, but AI will allow us to bring new and improved technology to the mission field much more quickly.

From Bible translation to building of technology tools, the Lord is already using AI to bring the good news faster and farther to the most remote people and places in the world!

Praises

• Jean had surgery on May 18 and received the good news that her lymph nodes were clear bilaterally.
• She had a second surgery to improve the margins on June 1, and requires no further surgery.
• We celebrated 37 happy years of marriage on June 28.

Requests

• It looks like Jean will have radiation during the month of August. We would appreciate prayers that Jean would feel well during this treatment.
• Please continue to pray for our church in Elkhart as we transition from our pastor of 

Update on Jean, May 19, 2023

Thank you, dear friends and family, for all your prayers for us.

Jean had her breast cancer surgeries yesterday, and came home by suppertime. She's doing pretty well; there's no need for pain meds so far, as the icing seems sufficient.

Pathology should come back in a week or so. However the cancerous spots will also be sent out for Oncotype Dx, which is a genetic level of cancer testing (not to be confused with the genetic hereditary testing she had earlier.) The Oncotype Dx results will take up to a month to come back. These tests will indicate treatment plan and prognosis. So we would appreciate continued prayers.

Thank you for not only prayers, but for all the cards, texts, calls, and meals. We're both feeling well loved.

Love in Christ,
John and Jean

Why Engineering?

Why Engineering?

When we partner with nationals and missionaries, we love providing solutions that are needed while being able to share the gospel. We also need to think of ways for those who are growing in the Lord to minister to those who come to know Christ in their country. To help people how to accept both authority and responsibility to care for the physical and spiritual needs of their own people takes a lot of engineering.

We are blessed at SonSet Solutions, to have a group of some of the best and most creative engineers to do just that.

It takes a great deal of creativity and engineering to design a radio transmitter that will fit into a suitcase that can broadcast without the cost of a full studio! Or how about a small system that ties in various tools for a rural pastor to use – our Solar Ministry Toolkit is all about that! How about antennas for a radio station? You have to engineer that so it will be able to do all that you want it to do and also fit into a shipping container well.

Many people think that the unique skills that God has given them are not applicable in missions. But whether you are a IT person, medical professional, videographer, mechanic, farmer, teacher, administrator, business person, or an engineer, there is a unique role for you to play in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Discover
Discover is a one-year service opportunity for participants to use their unique gifts and talents to build God’s kingdom. The participant will experience the global impact of SonSet Solutions while also developing skills needed for longer-term missionary service. Whether God leads into full-time service with SonSet Solutions, into service with another mission organization, or on a different path altogether, our desire is to prepare participants to use their vocations for His glory.

For the past year, we’ve been hosting Erick Johnson. He completed his year in the Discover program and is pursuing another avenue of service for the Lord. We appreciate his time with us, his contribution as a member of our Community Development Team, and pray for his direction.




Praises
· We are now blessed to have four grandchildren.
· Marley Marie and Dad and Mom are all doing well, though Dad and Mom are naturally sleepy and tired.
· We praise the Lord for a blessed time at Delaware Bible Church!
· We are thankful that God, through you all, has been faithful to provide for our needs.

Requests
· ​​Jean was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was found on a routine mammogram. She will see both the oncologist and surgeon on Monday, April 10. Please pray for wisdom as we hear treatment options.

· Please pray for our church in Elkhart as we transition from our pastor of many years.

Solar Ministry Making an Impact!

Solar Ministry Toolkits (formerly Solar Media Centers) will be deployed soon to Ukraine. Our Power Solutions Team is building and testing 20 units for Slavic Gospel Association, who will send them to churches they work with there. Pray for the units to arrive in a timely fashion, as well as for the believers in Ukraine churches who will distribute these units, as they reach out to their neighbors.

Partnerships are a blessing! The Lord did an amazing work using Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church in Sauk Village, Illinois to connect ministries together. Going through Multiplication Network, they found a pastor in Uganda who could really benefit from our Solar Ministry Toolkit (SMT).

As we have reported previously, in January 2022, our coworker, Mike Tapia went to Iganga, Uganda to install a Solar Ministry Toolkit. Working with Emmanuel CRC, SonSet Solutions was connected with Pastor Ronald Kairye and Liberty Transformation Church of Iganga.

In December 2022, the Persenaire family, who work with the Uganda Orphanage Relief Fund, were traveling to visit Sarah's family in Iganga. They visited Liberty Transformation Church and were very impressed with Pastor Ronald's ministry in Iganga in a heavily Muslim area, as well as the use of our SMT installed there.

The ministries involved in Uganda were together on Sunday, February 19 at Emmanuel. In the picture, from left to right, we have Audrey Podlin (missions committee member of Emmanuel), Esther Miller (from Multiplication Network), John, Jean, Jon Persenaire, Paul Persenaire, Sarah Persenaire (Uganda Orphanage Relief Fund), and Nita Venhuizen (missions committee member of Emmanuel).  

Liberty Transformation Church stands faithfully in the midst of a largely Muslim community in Uganda. Pastor Ronald began with only five people. Today, more than 200 attend. Pastor Ronald’s heart for ministry spurs him to do things to create relationships with the community... See the full story on our website: https://sonsetsolutions.org/in-the-hands-of-a-child/.

Praises

• For faithful ministry partners who have enabled us to serve twelve years now.
• That the Solar Ministry Toolkit is having a great impact in churches worldwide.

Requests

• ​Solar Ministry Toolkits — that they will bless many churches and believers in Ukraine and around the world.
• Our son, David, and his wife Dominique are expecting their first baby March 11. Please pray for a healthy baby, for them to have an uneventful delivery, and their adjustment to being parents. Thank you.
• That the Lord would give us opportunity this year to serve short-term overseas.