Thankful

Dear Epaphras,
So often we fail to stop and reflect on what the Lord has done.  We go from one event to the next and fail to pause in thankfulness.  Often, the lack of gratefulness leaves us anemic and malnourished spiritually.  So, as the summer nears its end, here are a few ways the Lord is answering your prayers in Europe.  Lets rejoice in His goodness….

First, the Basque team you’ve been praying and asking the Father for has moved into Basque Country, 25 minutes south of us, right on the french / spain border!  And, they are already reaching out and boldly sowing Gospel seed among the Basque of Hondarrabia. We visited them last week and were encouraged by the Lord’s working in their lives.

The Kerrs are full on into Basque language / culture learning and since language learning “IS” ministry, they are already meeting and engaging with their neighbors, forming Gospel centered friendships as they learn.  Please be in prayer for Billy, Terra and their 2 children as they transition.  Pray for the other members of their team preparing to join them; the Eastmans and the Henbrees.

Second, we just spent the last week with our PIONEERS family in the UK and Ireland and were impressed with the servant leadership Olau and Kim are providing for their teams.  Olau’s greatest desire is that their teams and workers minister from a position of, “…abiding in Christ” (John 15).  And, since Jesus’ desire is that we would produce much, lasting fruit, as they abide in Jesus, doors for the Gospel are opening in front of our teams there.  Here are a two highlights of what God is doing in the UK and Ireland.  A & C have just joined PI and started ministry to Iranian, Afghani and Tadjic immigrants in London.  A is an Iranian disciple of Jesus and the Lord is opening new doors for ministry in West London through media ministry.  Y and M are Egyptian followers of Christ and are trusting the Lord for a center to house women who have come out of Islam – many of you know such women often need shelter from their husbands and family who have the religious responsibility under Islamic law to inflict harm on such converts.  Just last month they were approached by two donors who will fully underwrite the purchase of this boarding house in London.

In conclusion, last month the Lord opened the door for Steve’s mom to move to a very Alzheimers friendly facility in Salt Lake City – just 10 minutes from my brother’s home.  It was a fairly urgent move as her center in Coronado just wasn’t a good fit for her.  Yes, we miss her being in Coronado, CA. and we know that many of you miss her too.  But, please know she is doing great in this new facility which is better suited for her stage of the disease.  The doctors there have already significantly reduced her medications and she is healthier.  She is among peers and new friends and is much, much happier.  For this we give God glory!  If you would like to contact mom, please call her at the Silverado Aspen Park Memory Community at (801) 272-8000 and the staff will track her down.  We are planing a brief visit with her to Coronado next winter for her to reconnect with her church, St. Paul’s United Methodist, and many of her lifelong friends…

We have some big news that we will be sharing next week…

Grateful for your partnership in the Gospel,

Steve, Sara, Annie and Julia