Gina has returned from a month of traveling to different locations on the Eurasia region, offering storytelling training, initiating development of new communications teams, and gathering more stories about what God is doing through Nazarenes in these different locations. As she processes all she experienced, I'm sure she will include a number of stories here as well as in "Where Worlds Meet" and "Engage" magazine.
While you're waiting for those exciting stories to be published, I (Andrew) wanted to share with everyone - but especially those of you who have prayed for and supported us financially - how God is granting your prayers and multiplying your giving.
We were absolutely amazed by the extraordinary generosity of Nazarene churches and individuals throughout our travels in the U.S. this past spring and summer. We visited many small, struggling congregations who nevertheless believed in what God was doing and desired to support our part in that work. We know that sacrifices were made, and we are humbled by your belief and support in how we are involved in what God is doing on the Eurasia region. We knew then and we are seeing now how God took what was freely, generously given and is multiplying it in a way we couldn't have anticipated. I am very excited to share that with you here.
We shared with many of you that our goal was to raise enough financial support for the purchase of a vehicle. The car we used for the first couple of years failed its inspection and could not be repaired or replaced. We have since shared the use of an office car with anywhere from 2-5 other people. It hasn't always been easy, but everyone has been able to get where they needed to go (and even to enjoy a day-trip or two when desired). Another goal we had was to be able to raise financial support to enable either or both of us to travel throughout the region in order to expand our ministry opportunities.
After returning to Germany, we learned that we had raised less than half of our projected goal. We decided not to purchase a car for the time being, and dedicated the funds raised to health-related expenses and ministry-related travel on the region. We continued sharing the office vehicle, and while it has sometimes not been easy it has generally worked out well for everyone.
Recently, however, we learned of a used car for sale at a very reasonable price. We followed up on that lead, met the owner, asked a lot of questions, and test-drove the car. We also worked with the regional office, seeking approval to purchase the car with ministry funds, and navigating legal procedures, and so on. It is a slower, more complicated process than in the U.S. - due in part to that strange little fact of living in a German exclave across the Swiss border. Yet, the car is purchased and we hope to drive it home later this week after which we will immediately set to work getting it registered and insured.
At the same time, we have still managed to afford ministry-related travel through the region. I spent the weekend in July teaching EuNC students in Razgrad, Bulgaria. Gina and I spent a few weeks in Manchester, England where Gina continued her work and I met with my NTC professors and made great progress on a research project. Gina, as you know, spent time in South Asia and the Middle East as described above. We have also been able to begin German classes, which is helping us deepen relationships with our friends in the Büsingen/Schaffhausen community. Through that German class, we met a young man, Neuton, an immigrant from Portugal, who needs a lot of encouragement and friendly people around him at this stage in his life.
We believe that God has wonderfully provided in order to ensure that our ministry continues and expands in other parts of the Eurasia region, that our daily needs are met, and even that we are now recovering some independence through re-gaining the use of our own vehicle. On top of that, this car will benefit any missionary individuals or families who come after us.
Through your continuing prayers and generous financial giving, we have seen God exceed our desires and expectations in granting twice as much "bang" with less than half the "buck." We give Him all the praise for continuing to meet our needs, and we want to extend a special "thank-you" to all of you who offer us prayer and financial support. We are greatly encouraged by how we have seen God at work in this way, and we very much wanted to share that encouragement with you as well.
While you're waiting for those exciting stories to be published, I (Andrew) wanted to share with everyone - but especially those of you who have prayed for and supported us financially - how God is granting your prayers and multiplying your giving.
We were absolutely amazed by the extraordinary generosity of Nazarene churches and individuals throughout our travels in the U.S. this past spring and summer. We visited many small, struggling congregations who nevertheless believed in what God was doing and desired to support our part in that work. We know that sacrifices were made, and we are humbled by your belief and support in how we are involved in what God is doing on the Eurasia region. We knew then and we are seeing now how God took what was freely, generously given and is multiplying it in a way we couldn't have anticipated. I am very excited to share that with you here.
We shared with many of you that our goal was to raise enough financial support for the purchase of a vehicle. The car we used for the first couple of years failed its inspection and could not be repaired or replaced. We have since shared the use of an office car with anywhere from 2-5 other people. It hasn't always been easy, but everyone has been able to get where they needed to go (and even to enjoy a day-trip or two when desired). Another goal we had was to be able to raise financial support to enable either or both of us to travel throughout the region in order to expand our ministry opportunities.
After returning to Germany, we learned that we had raised less than half of our projected goal. We decided not to purchase a car for the time being, and dedicated the funds raised to health-related expenses and ministry-related travel on the region. We continued sharing the office vehicle, and while it has sometimes not been easy it has generally worked out well for everyone.
Recently, however, we learned of a used car for sale at a very reasonable price. We followed up on that lead, met the owner, asked a lot of questions, and test-drove the car. We also worked with the regional office, seeking approval to purchase the car with ministry funds, and navigating legal procedures, and so on. It is a slower, more complicated process than in the U.S. - due in part to that strange little fact of living in a German exclave across the Swiss border. Yet, the car is purchased and we hope to drive it home later this week after which we will immediately set to work getting it registered and insured.
At the same time, we have still managed to afford ministry-related travel through the region. I spent the weekend in July teaching EuNC students in Razgrad, Bulgaria. Gina and I spent a few weeks in Manchester, England where Gina continued her work and I met with my NTC professors and made great progress on a research project. Gina, as you know, spent time in South Asia and the Middle East as described above. We have also been able to begin German classes, which is helping us deepen relationships with our friends in the Büsingen/Schaffhausen community. Through that German class, we met a young man, Neuton, an immigrant from Portugal, who needs a lot of encouragement and friendly people around him at this stage in his life.
We believe that God has wonderfully provided in order to ensure that our ministry continues and expands in other parts of the Eurasia region, that our daily needs are met, and even that we are now recovering some independence through re-gaining the use of our own vehicle. On top of that, this car will benefit any missionary individuals or families who come after us.
Through your continuing prayers and generous financial giving, we have seen God exceed our desires and expectations in granting twice as much "bang" with less than half the "buck." We give Him all the praise for continuing to meet our needs, and we want to extend a special "thank-you" to all of you who offer us prayer and financial support. We are greatly encouraged by how we have seen God at work in this way, and we very much wanted to share that encouragement with you as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment