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an update on our lives
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This update is for you who, we have found, really care for us. Some of you we may have met once, others, we have known our entire lifetime. We understand that we could just as easily use facebook, twitter, or email to write you individually. However, we want to offer a more personal touch in updating you about how our lives together, by the will of God, are progressing.
SHAHEENUPDATEN
ove
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B I ! M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R
Vo
l 1
.
Issu
e 2
R a s e l l u s h e n d r e r i t p u l v i n a r
Ac dolor ac adipiscing amet bibendum, massa
lacus molestie ut libero nec, diam et pharetra
sodales eget vitae aliquet.
Please pray for our
upcom ing events .
Upcoming Events
CHANGING OF SEASONS
can hardly believe how quickly the last two months have gone by
since we spoke with you all last. Before my eyes, the trees here in Lincoln have begun to change, and the crisp cool air has settled in as a permanent guest to our nights and
mornings.
" While Jiryis introduced you to our newsletter, back in September, I sat busy writing my final thesis for my graduate program at Lincoln Christian
University. The thought of writing the November issue of our newsletter seemed like a distant thought. I said to myself “I’ll deal with it when it gets here.” Well! here we are I forgot how
quickly time goes. As an update, for all who may be wondering, my thesis is complete! In the next weeks, I will sit before my 1st and 2nd readers, as they
critique my work, and discern the extent of what I have learned over
these last five months on the topic of intercultural communication.
" I can hardly believe that my time in graduate school is now done, something that I thought would never
come. The last 4.5 years have been intense. A bachelor’s, a TESOL certificate, and a masters of arts degree. Phew! I have blessed and have enjoyed every second of my learning.
" What’s next you ask...rest...well much as I am capable of resting. I plan on getting caught up on books I’ve been wanting to read, and enjoying some needed “free time.”
The next journey awaits us....
" " " ! Amanda
Nov. 19-22
The
National
Missionary
Conventionis happening
in Peoria,
Illinois this
year! This
will be Amanda’s 5th year attending the
convention, and Jiryis’ 3rd year. The
three days at the convention provide
amazing connections for global ministry,
as well as provide a great gathering
place for many of our friends from
around the world! Please pray that our
time there is used wisely and is a
blessing and encouragement to us!
Nov. 26
Shaheen
Community
ThanksgivingThis year Jiryis
and I are
opening are
home to any
and all looking
to celebrate
thanksgiving with family...they can join
ours. All are invited to join us for our
Thanksgiving meal at 4p.m. on
Thanksgiving day! RSVP to Jiryis or
Amanda if you would like to come, and
bring friends and family.
I
le
ct
us
e
ge
t !"
v
eh
ic
ul
a
B I ! M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R
Vo
l 1
.
Issu
e 2
R a s e l l u s h e n d r e r i t p u l v i n a r
Ac dolor ac adipiscing amet bibendum, massa
lacus molestie ut libero nec, diam et pharetra
sodales eget vitae aliquet.
Please pray for our
upcom ing events .
Upcoming Events
CHANGING OF SEASONS
can hardly believe how quickly the last two months have gone by
since we spoke with you all last. Before my eyes, the trees here in Lincoln have begun to change, and the crisp cool air has settled in as a permanent guest to our nights and
mornings.
" While Jiryis introduced you to our newsletter, back in September, I sat busy writing my final thesis for my graduate program at Lincoln Christian
University. The thought of writing the November issue of our newsletter seemed like a distant thought. I said to myself “I’ll deal with it when it gets here.” Well! here we are I forgot how
quickly time goes. As an update, for all who may be wondering, my thesis is complete! In the next weeks, I will sit before my 1st and 2nd readers, as they
critique my work, and discern the extent of what I have learned over
these last five months on the topic of intercultural communication.
" I can hardly believe that my time in graduate school is now done, something that I thought would never
come. The last 4.5 years have been intense. A bachelor’s, a TESOL certificate, and a masters of arts degree. Phew! I have blessed and have enjoyed every second of my learning.
" What’s next you ask...rest...well much as I am capable of resting. I plan on getting caught up on books I’ve been wanting to read, and enjoying some needed “free time.”
The next journey awaits us....
" " " ! Amanda
Nov. 19-22
The
National
Missionary
Conventionis happening
in Peoria,
Illinois this
year! This
will be Amanda’s 5th year attending the
convention, and Jiryis’ 3rd year. The
three days at the convention provide
amazing connections for global ministry,
as well as provide a great gathering
place for many of our friends from
around the world! Please pray that our
time there is used wisely and is a
blessing and encouragement to us!
Nov. 26
Shaheen
Community
ThanksgivingThis year Jiryis
and I are
opening are
home to any
and all looking
to celebrate
thanksgiving with family...they can join
ours. All are invited to join us for our
Thanksgiving meal at 4p.m. on
Thanksgiving day! RSVP to Jiryis or
Amanda if you would like to come, and
bring friends and family.
I
le
ct
us
e
ge
t !"
v
eh
ic
ul
a
The Seasons are Changing.... Picture Above:Jiryis and I withMeredith Andrews andMatt Maher.
Jiryis and I had the wonderful opportunity to run the merchandise table for the Michael W. Smith/Meredith Andrews/Matt Maher/Phil Stacey concert in October.
We were able to meet some great folks, and even loose track of time sitting in the merchandise trailer with Eric Brown, merchandise leader for the tour, discussing Christianity in the modern world, and his desire to be a missionary in India. It was awesome to hear about his passion and vision to do full-time missions in India with
2
“The Lord has a funny way of teaching us things.” I don’t know how many times I have heard this cliche saying and just shrugged it off. However, now, I am learning that the Lord most often teaches us in the way that we prefer NOT to be taught. Does he make it hard on purpose....absolutely.
You see, there have been many days in the four months, that I have found myself in a place I don’t want to be in; that is, working full-time at Starbucks. I am learning that in the routine activities of “flinging coffee” there are actually opportunities of ministry unfolding before my very eyes. It’s sometimes hard to see it, and most days that is no one’s fault but my own. My lenses of compassion, sensitivity, and joy get blurred by bitterness, frustration, and fatigue Then I have to take a minute, clean those lenses off, and focus on seeing clearly.
I get to see clearly a woman by the name of Maggie. In her fifties, she is always fashionably dressed, even in a sweatsuit, and never fails to order a Grande Black Iced Coffee. I met Maggie one of my first weeks at Starbucks. My lenses were clear that day. All I did was ask her how she was. She chuckled. “Ha. Do you really want to know...or are you just saying that?” I smiled. “I really want to know.” She paused and looked up at me...a bit befuddled at my seriousness, after all I was just a Starbucks barista. Maggie got a bit choked up, and began to tell me of her ailing mother, and the stresses of dealing with family during this time. At the end, she chuckled. “Bet you wish you never asked, huh?” Again, I smiled. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t really want to know.” She looked at me intently and said, “Somehow, I truly believe that.” Maggie now knows me by name, and I always have her drink ready before she even makes it to the counter. She lets me know how her day is going, what’s bugging her, and what’s on her mind...all in the three minutes while I’m ringing her up. Take those three minutes a day and multiply that by four months, and I am slowly beginning to piece together a portrait of Maggie’s life. Just like yours and mine...it is a broken life...but with one thing missing, Jesus. I have found what puts broken lives back together, but Maggie hasn’t.
I never knew that in the three minutes it takes me to make and ring- up a Grande Iced Black Coffee, that I could get to know someone in such need of Jesus.
Please pray that I use my three minutes wisely, and make every three minutes count...after all...that’s all Jesus might need.
“Starbucks wants to be that third place!a gathering place!away from home and work.”
re you kidding me, Lord.” These are the words that I
often find myself shouting to God as I drive to and from my current full!time work as a Starbucks Barista in Bloomington, IL. With the current state of our economy, the full!time
teaching positing I had been o"ered back in March was retracted last May. In short, I spent the entire summer consumed in putting out resumes, trying to find work...to no avail. Finally,
I was o"ered a full!time position at Starbucks. I needed work, and we needed an income. I accepted. That’s the history or how I came to be at Starbuck’s back in August.
# You see, the Lord has an ironic way of teaching us things. Often its in the way we would prefer that he not teach us. Starbucks wasn’t exactly the ministry place I had always
envisioned. I laugh that these words now, and remember the words of my missions professor, “Everyone has a plan, until you get hit.” I found myself in a place I didn’t want to be, and
suddenly the thought of ministry seemed impossible. This, coming from someone who loves missions, in often impossible places.
Starbucks wants to be the that
third place ! a gathering grounds! between home and work. I heard this from one of our managers once, and it stuck in my brain. For many, Starbucks is there place where they go to
“escape” or satisfy some hole by indulging in an expensive cup of co"ee. I have customers that frequent two or three times a day, at the same time, and order the same drink. The Lord
started brewing in me $no pun intended% a vision for how to reach my customers, those I can minister to.
# Her name is Maggie. She never comes in without hair and make!
up done, even if dressed in sweatpants. In her fifties, she dresses fashionable, complete with matching accessories, and a Von Maur scarf or wrap,
wherever she goes. She orders a Grande Black Iced Co"ee...and never deters from it. &2.47 is her bill, and she usually
has exact change. She came in one day back in September. I made small talk with her as I took her order. I asked
her how her day was. She paused, looked up, and told me of the emotions she was having with putting her mother in the hospital earlier that day. “I don’t think
she’ll be here much longer.” She took a deep breath as she looked at me...and so began our relationship.
# Something in me changed that day, as I saw the pain in Maggie’s eyes.
I began to ask her how her mother was everytime she came in. Each time she was shocked, and would always say, “I can’t believe you care, and remember about my mother. It just means so
much.” As I make drinks, and wait on customers, Maggie and I have begun talking...sharing our stories. She gives me short pictures of her life each time she comes in, and I in turn, listen and
encourage her...reminding her that she is special, beautiful, and has a great heart for the things she does. Each time, she pauses a little longer, perplexed at what I am saying. I always
have her drink ready when she walks in, and now...she knows my voice on the drive!thru speaker, and reminds me what days she will be in...to see if I’ll
be there. Little by little, with each moment I make a Grande Black Iced
Co"ee, I get to minister to Maggie.
# Her story is becoming just one of many at Starbucks. There are even
co!workers...that I find make me feel as though I am ministering to an unreached people group in a distant land. Just last week, I told a co!worker about the story of Noah while we
watched a rainbow out the drive!thru window. I told her that it symbolized God’s promise to never flood the earth again. She interrupted when I started the story. “Wait, is this a real
story...Noah? I’ve never heard this before.” She had never heard about Noah and the Ark. I was amazed, and eagerly told her about it. It was so new to her, that she didn’t think much of
it...simply a good story. I pray that the seeds of the One are being planted in her heart.
# Each day is a learning experience, as I seek to know and learn
from what God is teaching me during this season at Starbucks. I told Him I’d go wherever he wanted...for now...that might just be Starbucks.
“A
\
SH
AH
EE
NUPD
ATE
No
vem
ber
200
9
*
“Starbucks wants to be that third place!a gathering place!away from home and work.”
re you kidding me, Lord.” These are the words that I
often find myself shouting to God as I drive to and from my current full!time work as a Starbucks Barista in Bloomington, IL. With the current state of our economy, the full!time
teaching positing I had been o"ered back in March was retracted last May. In short, I spent the entire summer consumed in putting out resumes, trying to find work...to no avail. Finally,
I was o"ered a full!time position at Starbucks. I needed work, and we needed an income. I accepted. That’s the history or how I came to be at Starbuck’s back in August.
# You see, the Lord has an ironic way of teaching us things. Often its in the way we would prefer that he not teach us. Starbucks wasn’t exactly the ministry place I had always
envisioned. I laugh that these words now, and remember the words of my missions professor, “Everyone has a plan, until you get hit.” I found myself in a place I didn’t want to be, and
suddenly the thought of ministry seemed impossible. This, coming from someone who loves missions, in often impossible places.
Starbucks wants to be the that
third place ! a gathering grounds! between home and work. I heard this from one of our managers once, and it stuck in my brain. For many, Starbucks is there place where they go to
“escape” or satisfy some hole by indulging in an expensive cup of co"ee. I have customers that frequent two or three times a day, at the same time, and order the same drink. The Lord
started brewing in me $no pun intended% a vision for how to reach my customers, those I can minister to.
# Her name is Maggie. She never comes in without hair and make!
up done, even if dressed in sweatpants. In her fifties, she dresses fashionable, complete with matching accessories, and a Von Maur scarf or wrap,
wherever she goes. She orders a Grande Black Iced Co"ee...and never deters from it. &2.47 is her bill, and she usually
has exact change. She came in one day back in September. I made small talk with her as I took her order. I asked
her how her day was. She paused, looked up, and told me of the emotions she was having with putting her mother in the hospital earlier that day. “I don’t think
she’ll be here much longer.” She took a deep breath as she looked at me...and so began our relationship.
# Something in me changed that day, as I saw the pain in Maggie’s eyes.
I began to ask her how her mother was everytime she came in. Each time she was shocked, and would always say, “I can’t believe you care, and remember about my mother. It just means so
much.” As I make drinks, and wait on customers, Maggie and I have begun talking...sharing our stories. She gives me short pictures of her life each time she comes in, and I in turn, listen and
encourage her...reminding her that she is special, beautiful, and has a great heart for the things she does. Each time, she pauses a little longer, perplexed at what I am saying. I always
have her drink ready when she walks in, and now...she knows my voice on the drive!thru speaker, and reminds me what days she will be in...to see if I’ll
be there. Little by little, with each moment I make a Grande Black Iced
Co"ee, I get to minister to Maggie.
# Her story is becoming just one of many at Starbucks. There are even
co!workers...that I find make me feel as though I am ministering to an unreached people group in a distant land. Just last week, I told a co!worker about the story of Noah while we
watched a rainbow out the drive!thru window. I told her that it symbolized God’s promise to never flood the earth again. She interrupted when I started the story. “Wait, is this a real
story...Noah? I’ve never heard this before.” She had never heard about Noah and the Ark. I was amazed, and eagerly told her about it. It was so new to her, that she didn’t think much of
it...simply a good story. I pray that the seeds of the One are being planted in her heart.
# Each day is a learning experience, as I seek to know and learn
from what God is teaching me during this season at Starbucks. I told Him I’d go wherever he wanted...for now...that might just be Starbucks.
“A
\
Stunning Statistics About Starbucks(say that five times fast!)
* Last week 20 million people bought a cup of coffee at a Starbucks.
* Coffee is harvested during November and December.
* Cappuccino gets its name from the Italian order of Catholic Capuchin monks, whose hooded robes resemble the drink’s cap of foam in shape and color. The frothed milk from the top of the steaming pitcher is spooned on top to “cap” the cappuccino and retain heat. The proportion of espresso to steamed and frothed milk for cappuccino is usually 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk on top.
* The first Starbucks location outside of North America opened in Tokyo in 1996.
* There are 87,000 possible different drink combinations at Starbucks, and baristas average approximately 3 min. per customer (essentially, you’d be hard-pressed to find a drink that would perplex a barista)
3
* Jiryis:- Finishing final assignments for semester. - Preparation work for College Israel trip 2010. Please
pray for prospective students to commit.- Strengthen the foundation of LCU’s ‘Movies in the
Chapel.’- Wisdom in relationship building with local business
owners.* Amanda
- Praise the Lord! I finished graduate school!!!!- Continuing search of full time job that incorporates
degree.- Building relationships with women/small group in
church.- For safety and sanity as I cook my first thanksgiving
dinner!
What’s to come...our future
“The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
NIV
SH
AH
EE
NUPD
ATE
No
vem
ber
200
9
Prayer Requests* Rest over Thanksgiving break, and
good fellowship with friends and family.
* Job opportunities
* Newly-wed obstacles
* Living life together with our culture.
* Continued relationship building with people in the community of Lincoln.
* Wisdom in leadership as we begin team building in preparation for our trip to Israel next summer!
B I ! M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R
Vo
l 1
.
Issu
e 2
R a s e l l u s h e n d r e r i t p u l v i n a r
Ac dolor ac adipiscing amet bibendum, massa
lacus molestie ut libero nec, diam et pharetra
sodales eget vitae aliquet.
Please pray for our
upcom ing events .
Upcoming Events
CHANGING OF SEASONS
can hardly believe how quickly the last two months have gone by
since we spoke with you all last. Before my eyes, the trees here in Lincoln have begun to change, and the crisp cool air has settled in as a permanent guest to our nights and
mornings.
" While Jiryis introduced you to our newsletter, back in September, I sat busy writing my final thesis for my graduate program at Lincoln Christian
University. The thought of writing the November issue of our newsletter seemed like a distant thought. I said to myself “I’ll deal with it when it gets here.” Well! here we are I forgot how
quickly time goes. As an update, for all who may be wondering, my thesis is complete! In the next weeks, I will sit before my 1st and 2nd readers, as they
critique my work, and discern the extent of what I have learned over
these last five months on the topic of intercultural communication.
" I can hardly believe that my time in graduate school is now done, something that I thought would never
come. The last 4.5 years have been intense. A bachelor’s, a TESOL certificate, and a masters of arts degree. Phew! I have blessed and have enjoyed every second of my learning.
" What’s next you ask...rest...well much as I am capable of resting. I plan on getting caught up on books I’ve been wanting to read, and enjoying some needed “free time.”
The next journey awaits us....
" " " ! Amanda
Nov. 19-22
The
National
Missionary
Conventionis happening
in Peoria,
Illinois this
year! This
will be Amanda’s 5th year attending the
convention, and Jiryis’ 3rd year. The
three days at the convention provide
amazing connections for global ministry,
as well as provide a great gathering
place for many of our friends from
around the world! Please pray that our
time there is used wisely and is a
blessing and encouragement to us!
Nov. 26
Shaheen
Community
ThanksgivingThis year Jiryis
and I are
opening are
home to any
and all looking
to celebrate
thanksgiving with family...they can join
ours. All are invited to join us for our
Thanksgiving meal at 4p.m. on
Thanksgiving day! RSVP to Jiryis or
Amanda if you would like to come, and
bring friends and family.
I
le
ct
us
e
ge
t !"
v
eh
ic
ul
a
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
