Dear Friends,
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;… He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope… I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness… Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.” Isaiah 42:1-12
Because of their prophetic nature these familiar verses from Isaiah are often quoted or chosen as sermon texts during the Christmas holiday season. I have always wondered why God chose to emphasize “the islands” instead of the nations or peoples, as is the case in many other Scripture texts. The islands seem so small and insignificant. However, since our ministry trip to the refugee camp, Moria, on the small Greek Island of Lesvos, I suddenly have a different opinion of the “the islands”. As we stood on the shore of Lesvos, we could clearly see the Turkish coast
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;… He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope… I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness… Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.” Isaiah 42:1-12
Because of their prophetic nature these familiar verses from Isaiah are often quoted or chosen as sermon texts during the Christmas holiday season. I have always wondered why God chose to emphasize “the islands” instead of the nations or peoples, as is the case in many other Scripture texts. The islands seem so small and insignificant. However, since our ministry trip to the refugee camp, Moria, on the small Greek Island of Lesvos, I suddenly have a different opinion of the “the islands”. As we stood on the shore of Lesvos, we could clearly see the Turkish coast
towards the east and north. I wondered what it was like to be standing on that shoreline, gazing at the shoreline of Lesvos. Longing for safety, freedom, peace and hope. Fearfully stepping into a flimsy overloaded rubber boat, praying that the sea would be calm, pushing off, risking everything, risking the lives of your family as they cling to each other, eyes fixed on that distant shoreline. It is my deepest desire that these hundreds of thousands who continue to set out for that distant coastline, those small Greek islands, will find ultimate peace for their souls. That they will, indeed, “Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them”.
Praise God with us for a number of amazing spiritual conversations with refugees and German acquaintances. Pray that the Spirit would continue to work and for fruit out of these conversations. Thank God that E. is recovering well from his emergency surgery.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our US friends and we hope that our Canadian friends are still basking in thankfulness. We are so thankful for you, your faithfulness in prayer and financial support over many years. And for your friendship. Without your support and encouragement we could not carry out the ministry that God has called us to.
Unfortunately, the weak Canadian dollar and some who have fallen behind in their giving has led to us taking a cut in salary. Would you please check to see if your giving is current? Tuesday, November 27, has become known as giving Tuesday. Maybe God has blessed you this year in such a way that you might increase your support of our ministry or consider a special year-end gift. Thank you.
Many blessings,
Sue (and Jason)
Praise God with us for a number of amazing spiritual conversations with refugees and German acquaintances. Pray that the Spirit would continue to work and for fruit out of these conversations. Thank God that E. is recovering well from his emergency surgery.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our US friends and we hope that our Canadian friends are still basking in thankfulness. We are so thankful for you, your faithfulness in prayer and financial support over many years. And for your friendship. Without your support and encouragement we could not carry out the ministry that God has called us to.
Unfortunately, the weak Canadian dollar and some who have fallen behind in their giving has led to us taking a cut in salary. Would you please check to see if your giving is current? Tuesday, November 27, has become known as giving Tuesday. Maybe God has blessed you this year in such a way that you might increase your support of our ministry or consider a special year-end gift. Thank you.
Many blessings,
Sue (and Jason)
