Following and Fishing

Recently I came across these truths during my time with Jesus:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. (Lamentations 3,21-24)

Isaiah was walking through the ruins of Jerusalem as the Babylonians had just finished destroying the walls and burning down the city, especially the temple. There remained but a remnant of people in the land. I can only imagine the devastation and anguish felt looking around at the external reality. YET, Isaiah was able to take his gaze off his surroundings and keep it on God and His reality. I give praise for the reality that this truth is what we stand on today. My prayer for you as you kick-off a new year is that your gaze would be on Him, His truth and you would experience His joy, hope and strength in a renewed way.

Ending out 2019 was a gift with family, but also a gift in how you continue to support this work. The extra one-time gifts, the prayers and notes of encouragement I received meant a great deal to me. Thank you for making this work possible.

What’s coming…

• We will have 4 to 5 teams come within the next 6 months
• Bible Study on the names of God found in the first five books of the Bible where Christians and non-Christians can discover who this God is together
• More intention weekly prayer times gathering others to seek Him and intercede for these people
• Starting research to learn how to equip rising leaders from other cultures with our different values and world views
• Looking for a new roommate as Selina will travel back to Switzerland next week.
• Super Bowl Outreach Activity – using NFL playoffs as a way to deepen friendship

Please join me in giving Him praise as He is faithful to do all and more then we can imagine and pray for us to be led by Him in every step!

Merry Christmas! Thankful for the joy this season brings. In Sweden, the first weekend of Advent is a kick-off with lights and stars and of course cookies! The word advent means the arrival of an important person, an anticipation of the Messiah to come! May these weeks be an opportunity to deepen to joy of the good news of salvation Jesus gave to us.

Reconciliation continues to be a growing topic in my heart. So many hearts are hurting because of misunderstandings or unresolved conflict that people have a hard time putting words to. Yet in Christ, it is possible. As ministers of reconciliation, may the Lord give us strength and perspective to be agents of reconciliation that many hearts would taste the freedom Jesus gave to us.

Praying for you and your families during this holiday season!

For those of you that asked…here is a direct link for any last minute giving.

First and foremost THANK YOU for making this ministry possible. Because of your generous, and sacrificial giving, this ministry continues to take steps forward. May the Lord bless you and your families as you enter this holiday season!

Thankful for the deepening of friendships and trust in the neighborhood. Through activities to meet needs (such as language and homework help) activities to build trust (chair of the election committee for building association) and activities to find open hearts (pray walks, coffee outreach and park outreach), I am thankful for how the Lord has built bridges, made friendships and teaches me how to live so that many can hear and respond to His love and forgiveness.

With Christmas around the corner, we will have a coffee outreach (to engage those we don’t know) as well as a Christmas dinner (to engage those we do know) and share truth of Jesus and the importance of our celebrations this month. Please pray for open hearts.

Here are some of the names you can pray for: Marziyeh, Asiyeh, Elena, Najla, Elahe, Sajid, Ummahany, Shanika, Hawk, Amany, Bouaza, Selina, Maria, Hassan, Nebahat, YasAmin, Faris, Helen, Linus, Nellie, Tehri, Hansko, Dave, Mark, Alex, Clare, Lize-Marie, Catarina, Lisa, and Josefin. These are people I meet with often. Would you take one or two names and commit to praying for them daily for the next 30 days to have open hearts to meet Jesus, for God to open heaven and reveal His glory and for me to have courage to take advantage of opportunities to share truth?

Financial update. Because of the increase of activity and involvement, I am looking to decrease teaching hours to increase time for the work. To do this, I am needing $250 in monthly gifts. Would you consider being a partner at $25 or $50 a month for the next 2 years? As most of you know, the tax situation has been a financial hurdle to get over. I will have finished paying 2017 and 2018 by next spring. Would you consider giving a special gift this year to contribute towards what I will owe for 2019 (about $6000)? Paying 31% on my salary for the states and Sweden makes it a pretty penny! But then I will be done paying back taxes and get to contribute monthly to the current year.

May the Lord bless you and increase your joy. May you enjoy the unfailing love of your Heavenly Father and refreshment in His presence. Please reply and share how I can be praying for you and your family during this season! Lots of love, Sarah