Benjie and Tin's Winter Update 2014

December view of Sunrise

 “I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you.”    Matthew 17:20

 

 

 

January view of Sunrise

 VISA: We know that we will come to this point again this year with regards to our visa and unlike last year, we have already prepared our hearts and minds with this. Benjie can stay 2 more years under YWAM visa but not Christina. We have a strong desire to stay longer and you will read about that later. For now, together with our leaders, we are considering other options for Christina. If God allows this, then we will be able to stay 2 more years.

Everything seems to be hanging for both of us - we have to apply for our new visa before the end of this month or else, the only option is to leave the country and apply and come back again before August. We thought it will be more costly to travel back but we don’t know yet - what we are experiencing right now is Peace - the kind of peace that we can only get from Jesus, it didn’t come right away, we were really on our knees to lay down everything to God so we can find peace in Him. We lay down to Him plans B, C, D in case plan A didn’t worked out. We trust God and His Sovereign plan in our lives especially this very moment. We don’t want to lose that faith and peace so you can pray with us in this area.

What’s with Norway?

This is the question we’ve been asking ourselves this time. We have experienced a lot of equipping here and we believe that it is what God wants in our lives this time. Maybe you will remember the rough start we had when we first travelled here as married couple - it is now a memory of God’s faithfulness and Sovereignty. Serving God in another culture is a big opportunity of having a wider perspective of His character and Love for people. We have seen how God moulds us too. He creates such a love in our hearts for this nation. To love one country is to embrace it without losing your identity.

Last Autumn, we have been pondering a lot what’s next for us - we have been praying that maybe its my (Benjamin) turn to take the Counselling School in the Spring but the challenge is our visa but it is our hearts to see Counselling School being revive here in YWAM Skjærgårdsheimen and that is what were fighting for this time. It won’t happen this year because of the lack of time but we wanted to see it happen this coming year and in order to see that happen again, it will take us to stay here the coming years. The last Counselling School here was in the Spring of 2010 and we are hoping to see it again in 2015. Please stand with us in prayers. We really believe how God can work in many ways through the Counselling School (or FCM - Foundations for Counselling Ministries). This will be a great opportunity to many Christian Workers to be equipped in this area.

Busy January and February

MMBC 2013 Class Picture (we're missing Sylvie here)

After a good time in YWAM Chatel last Autumn and a great Christmas Break with good friends, we flew straight to National Workers Gathering in Hamar the 2nd of January.

Meeting Good friends in Hamar

It was an amazing time of seeing how God is moving towards our missions.

We have seen reports from Nigeria, Middle East and some parts of India. We were inspired by those people who have sacrificed their lives in the field for years, they never gave up though struggles comes along their way - although they didn’t see it as a good thing then. Great 4 days to have fellowship with fellow YWAMers around Norway too.

Ground Beef for Lasagne ;)

PARTNER WEEKEND: One weekend in January and another this February is a time we give to our Partners. They are the one who supports Ungdom i Oppdrag Skjærgårdsheimen (the base itself) towards Missions and other projects of the base both here in Norway and in the Mission field. We gave them the opportunity to come in one of the weekends to hear updates on what’s happening outside Norway and also with us here. They also receive some inspiration through some sharing time and preachings and also with a good place to stay and great food and fellowship. So this coming weekend, it will be the second one - and for both of us whose in charge of the kitchen right now and for all the staff who will do other practical work -  it will be a great time to serve them.


LOCAL MINISTRY UPDATE: Aside from our busy life in the kitchen, we also get some time to still participate in some of the “normal” activities outside the base. Benjie joins a weekly sports club where people from one church gather to play some in door sports once a week. In the end of January, Benjie was also able to share in our Bible Study about “Calling and Responsibility”. They said they were inspired with the message but we thought we were more inspired when they share their testimonies and how they met Jesus in an amazing way. God really answers prayers and He will reveal Himself in a way we will understand it.


PRAYER CONCERNS:
Our decision before the end of February and most of all that it will not be based on our hearts but God's heart.

Benjie’s Family - that there will be unity, love and forgiveness.

Christina’s Mom - pray for continuous healing and protection. She slipped last month and that caused her not to be able to walk properly now and has a lot of pain.