Sometimes a simple Facebook status update, or tweet on Twitter is just not enough to express exactly what compels Alexis and I to serve in Poland. What does it mean to “serve” anyway? I’m sure many of us have read books, heard sermons, and done plenty of talking about the topic of servanthood. But what[…]
It has been a little too long since we last posted on here, so here’s what’s next for the Mielonen clan. These past few months have been extremely full, stressful, and at times we have been at the end of our rope. We’ve done some tuning to our schedule, made some lists, asked for help,[…]
So what does 10+ years in the field look like for us? I don’t know for sure but we’ve got a vision, and it looks something like this: Polish house group leaders Group leaders cultivating other group leaders Intentional living community (this is the big ticket item!) The beginning of looking at sending a team[…]
We’re not confused, we know Portland is not Poland… The road to Poland for us has been marked with false starts, heartache, and frustration. So here’s why we’re still in this, why we will make it there. God called us. Maybe he’s calling you to help us with the following: Monthly budget Living expenses: $3,455/month[…]
One of the things that we struggle with a lot is seeing people (especially our friends and other Christians) buy things which probably are not “needed” – yes that’s a judgement call, and we’re fine that people are buying un-needed things, but what bugs us is that we see this and yet no desire to[…]
Yes, there are dragons of all kinds in Poland, particularly Kraków… although I’ve only seen two, the one above which spews water… and another one near by which at one point use to breath fire if you sent him a text message! Then there is the most real dragon of all, the enemy to our[…]
In about one month we’ll have a new little daughter, Elena Sofia Mielonen is due on November 1st! We’re excited to explore a new personality to enjoy and love on. Emma is becoming more and more excited and we’re enjoying all of her thoughts on how she’ll “help” her sister. As God has worked in[…]
Dear friends in Christ, With the pending miracle of the birth of our new daughter Elena Sofia sometime around November 1st, we have been reflecting on God’s identity and the story of our lives to date. It is imparative that you and I (Travis) are aware of how God is always working to define and refine[…]
These faces and many like them are the future, in this case they are the future of Poland and beyond. These two little girls also need discipleship, and for them it will be through their parents who are challenged with raising children in a world full of confusion, distrust, and false hope. We truly believe[…]
So often when we are thinking about ministry in Poland the topic of culture comes up, this can be a delicate thing to address because it isn’t easy to be objective since we’re attempting to see Poland through our American lenses. The ultimate goal is for us to capture in our hearts what Kingdom culture[…]
We have not been very good at updating this blog, there are not really any reasons or excuses just focusing on family life! Please remember November 1st, 2012! Why? Because that is the day two things are “due” firstly and foremost our new baby daughter is due! Secondly we are believing for that to be the[…]
So often I (Travis) find myself jealous of other missionaries serving in places like Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, South America, etc… these are places I call “the sexy” mission field, there’s a certain automatic appeal about these places. Generally (and very generally) people (mostly Americans) associate this appeal with either Islam, third world, or poverty. All[…]
There are three “mile stones” for us to pass before we leave the USA for Poland. The first is to grow our family, we hope to have one more child before leaving, if we end up being fully fund-raised and w/o another child, then we’ll probably move to Poland and grow our family in the[…]
Simply put “missions” is Matthew 28:18-20 “18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the[…]
We have not been good at updating people in the past six months in regards to our plans with Poland. This has been somewhat intentional, and somewhat because we’re not really sure how to address everything. In short, we are still 100% on board for becoming full time missionaries to Poland. Our vision and goals[…]
Since January we have had an anonymous donor giving on a regular basis, and we want to express our huge appreciation and gratitude for this! Whoever you are we want you to know it has not gone unnoticed and we are incredibly blessed by your generosity and obedience to God’s kingdom. Thanks again and as we continue[…]
Travis updated his blog with a new post called “Tweets for the past week”, check it out.
Travis updated his blog with a new post called “Tweets for the past week”, check it out.
Travis updated his blog with a new post called “Tweets for the past week”, check it out.
Travis updated his blog with a new post called “Tweets for the past week”, check it out.