Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonder Christmas and a blessed New Year celebration. I guess it is that time again when we all make New Year's resolutions and new goals for the upcoming year. Lena and I have been pr@ying hard about what our Father would have us to do in 2012. We know that we need His guidance, wisdom, and blessing in all that we do. We are trying to reach SA M*slims living in Europe. In starting our task here, we have decided to meet others who are also trying to reach SA people to see if anyone else is having success. So far, what we have been hearing from people is that the work among them is slow and difficult. However, we have been greatly encouraged this past month by the relationships we have built with m*nistry partners and the work they are doing among SA people. Although the soil is hard here, it has been encouraging for us to see others proclaiming the Good News clearly and fearlessly. The boldness of others inspires us to be bold as well. We have been out on the streets trying to engage people in conversation about their need of Chr*st. It has truly been a spir*tual battle. Many times, the conversations end up in arguments. Our goal in approaching people is not to start arguments. However, in talking to M*slims about Chr*st our fa*th is often attacked. We often find ourselves defending our fa*th against a barrage of attacks. We are often heckled by people from various backgrounds. In spite of these challenges, there have been some doors that have opened up to share the good news. Opportunities have arisen as we have been out on the streets handing out J films. Our pr@yer is that as we continue to engage people in conversation that our Father would open people's eyes to the truth that we are sharing with them. We want SA b*lievers to rise up who would feel compelled to take upon themselves the task of being a light in this dark city. Right now, there are very few SA people who are committed to this task. We are looking to come along side and support those who have a heart for the M*slims of this city.
Silas' first birthday is right around the corner. On February 3 Silas will be one year old. It is unbelievable to me that Silas is already one year old. Silas continues to be a healthy and happy baby.
I wanted to express my appreciation to everyone who pr@yed for my Dad. As many of you know, my Dad had a quadruple bypass performed on him this past month. It was a bit of a surprise. One day my Dad is having chest pains, and the next he is having major surgery. The surgery was a success and my Dad is at home recovering. Please continue to remember him in your pr@yers.
Pr@yer Requests:
1. My Dad's health and his recovery
2. That the people we talk to on the streets would be receptive to our message
3. That our Father would raise workers up from among those we work with here in our city who would boldly go out into the SA harvest fields
4. That our Father would give us the right words to say to those who verbally attack our fa*th.
