I am a bit delayed in getting out this update, and I appreciate your patience. Rather than slowing down, this corona season has actually opened up more opportunities!

From the start of this year, the Holy Spirit has been challenging my prayer life. And I have been asking Him to teach me how to be a faithful intercessor for the work and people I care about. These past weeks I have engaged a biweekly prayer group that meets specifically to pray over the area of Stockholm I am working in. Getting to hear how others are laboring and hearing from God for these people has been an encouragement. My favorite new gathering has been an online prayer meeting every night, Monday through Friday, with missionaries in the network. I have loved getting to know them more, feel more connected with the European team as well as stand in the gap with one another.

Trainings! Because other people have had a pause with regular meetings, it opened a door to start trainings online helping equip other teams in evangelism and discipleship. I am getting to work with my colleagues, Joe and Mateo, to take the best practices we have learned over the years and help strength others. It has been a great gift to get to know a team in northern Italy and Amsterdam through our calls.

Because of the desire to keep parents at their jobs, elementary and middle schools have stayed open. Therefore, my teaching job is happening as normal with the extra work of providing online instruction for those students whose parents have chosen for them to stay home. I have enjoyed this learning curve yet look forward to when the work load can decrease a bit. We do only have 2 months left until summer!

Local team! These past few months I have new roommates. Janelle, a worker from Ohio here on a one year visa, and Maud, a Swede studying theology, both have a desire to live life on mission in the neighborhood. Because of the restrictions, we have had more time to build friendship and think through how to work together for this local vision. Excited to see how their personalities and gift-mix step out and build confidence in them to pursue all that God has for them. We hosted a small Easter dinner with our Afghani friends as we still them weekly!

Personally, I am missing friends. As I begin to plan for a home visit at the beginning of 2021 (SUPER EXCITED!!!!!), I am longing for connection with so many of you. I have been rereading letters and notes I received when I was sent eight years ago and it is meaningful to know you are still caring and supporting me! One of my goals for 2020 was to learn how to make sourdough bread. I am enjoying learning how to do this!

Let me know how you are doing in this season and how I can be praying for you!