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ca

august 2011

family & ministry NEWS

As of July 1, 2011 Paul has officially taken on the role of Eastern Canada Director for NLI Canadafor the present, this is a part-time role, as he continues to raise his monthly support budget. Our goal is to raise an additional $1,000/month of committed support before the end of 2011. The key responsibility continues to be helping engage Canadian churches, businesses and individuals with the cause of transformation in Europe. How? Getting out there and talking about the needs and opportunities in Europe. You can help us do this by introducing Paul to your pastor and/or church, helping us open up some new lines of communication. Contact us at paul.mittelstaedt@nlieurope.com to help start the conversation. This summer Paul has ministered in a number of churches in southern Ontario, as well as, at Bethel Park Camp during Heritage Week. We are so grateful for the support we have received as awareness of the great spiritual need in Europe grows. Thanks to all our partners for your faithful support and prayer. LOOKING FORWARDthe highlight of the Fall will be a trip together with Claudia and Lexi to Germany and then on to Coventry, UK for Eurosummit 2011 in October. From there Paul will also be visiting churches in the Crimean region of southern Ukraine, followed by a trip to Romania for Organixa training conference for Romanian church leaders. Paul is also scheduling speaking engagements in churches in Ontario. PLEASE PRAY For travelling mercies, for new opportunities to share the vision of our work with churches, for openness to ministry partnerships, and for our family as we pursue obedience to Gods call.

window to europe

Transformation is the theme of Eurosummit 2011, a celebration of the past 20 years of Next Level Internationals engagement in ministry in Europe. Eurosummit is not a conference; it is a connecting point, a relational event, a sharing of effective ideas and resources so that we can achieve more together than we could separately. At this years event we will be asking the question, Can we go beyond church planting and see town and city transformation take place in Europe? The following story is just one example of how we are seeing this transformation take place Slovakia Janka and Ladislav are Slovak Roma (Gypsies) living in the town of Slavoovce in central Slovakia. Ladislav works in the local paper mill - Janka is a social worker. Each day, she visits many families in the Roma communities. Her tasks involve basic health monitoring, including identifying and monitoring outbreaks of infectious diseases; arranging, transporting and translating for villagers medical appointments; checking up on truants from school; distributing any hand-outs of clothing, food and other items; acting as a counselor or resolving conflict as needed; liaising between the Town Hall, authorities and the people. Slavoovce is almost 100% Roma, and reflects many of the issues endemic to the Roma people across Europe. Quality and availability of housing, education, health and employment are usually sub-standard and difficult to access. No education leads to no jobs, leading to poverty, and the cycle continues to loop. This is compounded by hand-outs and benefits from governments and some NGOs, contributing to low self-esteem and lack of motivation all too often seen in the Roma, creating a perceived powerlessness to change or better life.

Janka and Ladislav are also church planters and leaders in their community, pastoring the church in Slavoovce. They spend many hours each week, running programs, caring for the community, renovating the church/community building, and fostering the church. Janka and Ladislav very much feel Gods call to the people of Slavoovce. They are passionate about Jesus and the impact He can have on the lives of those at the paper mill, in their community and among the Roma throughout Slovakia. Because of funding provided, Janka and Ladislav are continuing renovations on the building that will not only house their church, but also be a centre for the community. The funds will be used to purchase materials needed for this project, such as windows, heating, plaster and paint. Perhaps more importantly, is what the funds dont provide for the labour to finish the project. The building was originally purchased with funds given by two UK churches, but Janka and Ladislav have been paying for the renovation materials out of their own pocket, as well as doing most of the work themselves. The Roma community assumed someone was doing it all for them, but when they realised Janka and Ladislav were doing it all, they began to volunteer both time and labour. This is a breakthrough for the community, as it is breaking the hand-out mentality. A belief in ones ability to make a change, and thus inspire and begin to dream dreams, is only the beginning of lasting positive change for the whole community. Janka and Ladislav are Slovak Roma who, with Gods direction and provision, coupled with partnerships across the globe, are seeing transformation in their community and giving inspiration to its people. PRAYER POINTS: Pray for Janka and Ladislav as they minister to their Roma community Pray for the participants of Eurosummit 2011that God would inspire us towards His call of transformation

partner with us
Please send me your newsletter I would like to be a prayer partner Name ________________________________________ Address _______________________________________ City ___________________________ Prov __________ Postal Code ________________ Phone ____________ Email _________________________________________ Yes I would like to partner with the Mittelstaedts. I would like to contribute: Monthly: Yearly: _____ $ 70 _______ $ 420 _____ $140 _______ $ 840 _____ $280 _______ $ 1,680 _____ Other:______ _______ $ 3,360 First Time Gift: _____________ (Enter Amount) Payment by: Cheque (payable to NLI Canada) Contact me about Automatic Withdrawal

This form can be sent to us via e-mail (paul.mittelstaedt@nlieurope.com) as a scanned attachment or by regular mail to NLI Canada c/o Paul & Claudia Mittelstaedt, 2535 Sunnyhurst Close, Oakville, ON L6H 7K5

Income tax receipts will be issued at year end to the address provided on this form.

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