christmas update

 Christmas in the midst of loss

Dear Friends,
This Christmas has been one of farewells and loss for us. After a long struggle, a colleague of Sue's died of a brain tumor. As far as we know, he had not made peace with God and was carrying a lot of regrets to the grave with him. Sue was able to share the gospel with him over the last few months, and our prayer is that he surrendered his life to the Lord in his last days.

This week we said goodbye to dear friends and missionary colleagues who the Lord has led to another part of Germany. We send them on with God's blessing, but we will dearly miss them in life and ministry.

The next day, we laid to rest our friend Kalle. There was a very large crowd of mourners who gathered for the funeral. Jason fought for control as he began to speak, but the Lord helped him get a grip as he started into the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. Kalle wanted the gospel preached and that is just what Jason did.  It was a very meaningful time of celebrating Kalle's life and offering comfort and hope to the mourning even as we mourn with them. We will miss Kalle greatly.

The comfort of knowing that Kalle entered into glory when he died, reminds us of what Christ left behind when He came to earth that very first Christmas -"emptying himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Phil. 2) It was a painful sacrifice for Him to leave the riches of glory behind to be born in humble surroundings. His sacrifice for us began then and continued through his death on the cross. Jesus knows our pain like no other - and that is a great comfort for us.

 

We need your help! We are truly grateful for the Lord’s provision for us over this past year. Many of you are a part of that blessing. We try not to talk about our financial needs in these updates, but as the year draws to a close we would like to encourage you to give generously toward our ministry. In order to fund the Pastorenatelier for another year we need $14,400. It costs $1200 per month for rent, utilities, supplies, etc. So much of our ministry happens there. It is the place where our relationship with Kalle began.In order to fund the Pastorenatelier beyond this next year, we need 12 people who will commit to giving $100 per month. In addition to that, we are lacking $800/month in personal support. Here is a GIVING LINK.

 

We wish you all a blessed Christmas celebration and a happy new year!

Gratefully,
Jason and Sue

December '23 update

 Dear friends,

We had a great worship service on the first Sunday of advent. 3 days before, our pianist had to cancel because of sickness, but was able to find an awesome substitute for us - an amazing young jazz pianist in his early 20's who grew up in east Germany. Paul had never been to church before in his life. He definitely heard the gospel as we went through our liturgy and I preached from 1 Corinthians 1. After the service he told us that what impressed him most was the loving fellowship that we all were having before, during and after the service. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Jason is part of a whatsapp group of 18 people who are looking after Kalle. Most of them are not believers but have gathered around him in a wonderful way. Last weekend he decided to read some scripture and pray with Kalle and the whole group via an audio message. Beside Kalle himself, there were all kinds of thank-yous and emojis with hearts and praying hands in the group chat. One woman said: "Thank you from me too. Even as a non-believer, your words do something to me. PEACE." Please continue to pray as Kalle's days among us draw to a close.

The window of the Pastorenatelier is decorated. Check out this short video for a close up look at the bottom ledge - eye level for all the toddlers who walk by with their parents. Here is the link.

We need your help! We are truly grateful for the Lord’s provision for us over this past year. Many of you are a part of that blessing. We try not to talk about our financial needs in these updates, but as the year draws to a close we would like to encourage you to give generously toward our ministry. In order to fund the Pastorenatelier for another year we need $14,400. It costs $1200 per month for rent, utilities, supplies, etc. So much of our ministry happens there. In order to fund the Pastorenatelier beyond this next year, we need 12 people who will commit to giving $100 per month. In addition to that, we are lacking $800/month in personal support. Here is a GIVING LINK.

We wish you all a blessed advent.

Gratefully,
Jason and Sue