A Grateful December

During the last three weeks, Gina and I were fortunate to be able to spend that time with our families in Colorado Springs. In fact, we were fortunate in many regards.

• We had clear weather, safe travel, and smooth sailing through security and customs on our way to Denver from Zurich.
• We were able to speak during a service at Springs First Church of the Nazarene, where we shared a few stories and raised awareness of God's work in Europe. This was particularly special as it has been my home church from the age of 2.
  
• Gina will get the opportunity early in January to visit a clinic in Cleveland, which we hope will quickly get to the bottom of her illness so that she can enjoy a healthy, productive year in Europe. For this reason, I will return to Zurich on my own this week, while Gina will follow approximately two weeks later.
• I received a visit from Scott, my best friend since college. He took time off from an extremely busy schedule as a doctoral student to spend a few days hanging out with me. Gina and I were able to chat with his wife and three children via Skype, and enjoyed seeing how happy they are and how they've grown!
  
• We both had a lot of work to do, even though we were technically on a break. But we were able to get everything done without taking too much of our time away from friends and family.
• God is providing for our financial needs in several ways. We recently sold Gina's car for only a little less than the asking price, and were able to use her mother's car while we were in town. We also were given a generous love offering from the people of Springs First. Other support for our ministry arrived, and we are so thankful to a God who knows and meets our every need.

We could use your prayer support in the following areas:

• Safe travel as we return to Europe, and as Gina and her mother travel to Cleveland.
• For increased faith as we trust God for his provision. Pray that God will continue meeting our every need, and that the challenges we've faced in this regard will be overcome.
• For Gina's time in Cleveland, wisdom for the doctors who will work with her, patience during the process, and that we will find out what the root problem is with her health and how to treat it, as well as for her continued health this next year. We are so grateful to the Lord that she has felt well in recent days, and has been able to enjoy the majority of her time at home!
• Pray for a volunteer, a girl named Laine, who is trying to raise enough support in order to come help Gina in communications. Pray that her needs will be met, and that she will have many opportunities to raise awareness and invite people to participate in ministry through prayer and financial giving.
  
• I will begin teaching Nazarene History & Polity as an online course in January. Keep the students (and the teacher!) in your prayers during the next six weeks.
• Pray for the continuing mission of European Nazarene College, as the transition is made from a residential campus program to a decentralized education system that will allow the campus to serve as a resource to students at Point Loma Nazarene University and MidAmerica Nazarene University, as well as the nearly 400 students scattered throughout 15 countries in over 30 learning centers in Europe. Pray for the leadership team of Klaus Arnold and Antonie Holleman as they faithfully seek God's guidance through the transition period. Pray for the students in particular, that they will experience the transforming love of God and that each one will come to a better understanding of who He is and what His direction is for their lives.
• Finally, we would like you to pray about how you can be involved with what God is doing in Europe through the Church of the Nazarene. We are specifically seeking people to become monthly financial sponsors at $20, $30, or $60 per month. We are also extremely grateful for all the prayers and encouragement. However you choose to participate, know that we cannot do it without you!

Having made the big move across the Atlantic, and settled into a new community and new jobs in 2010, we are ready to spend 2011 contributing even more God's work through the Church of the Nazarene in Europe. We don't know all that God has for us this year, but we trust that God's blessing will be with us in the good times and his love and care will see us through any challenges. We hope that you, too, will have an amazing 2011 as you receive His blessing, protection, and loving care.