This hard place in which you perhaps find yourself, so painful and bewildering, is the very place in which God is giving you opportunity to look only to Him, to travail in prayer, and to learn long-suffering, gentleness, meekness -- in short, to learn the depths of love that Christ Himself has poured out on all of us.
-Elisabeth Elliot-
As Autumn approaches, we became so occupied with many things: new people at the base (new staff and new DTS students), Christina started with her studies, Benjie together with other foreign staff continues with Norwegian Course with the organization (KIA) we also take part of and at the same time trains new people in the kitchen to take over during the transition time of being new parents.
Bible to All (Mission Trip to the North)
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| At Arendal Church after the meeting |
Benjie together with most of the base staff and the DTS students went up North (the very North) to distribute Bibles to every houses. Our base and all YWAM bases in Norway, Church Pastors and members in the north, YWAM Leaders and also Loren Cunningham joined together in this event in October.
Norway was once a Christian nation is now falling away from the truth and now is the time to be awaken. There is no time to slack off but to stand for the truth and proclaim once again how the Word of God can transform people's lives and nations. We have experienced different reactions from people when we give Bibles. Some are very happy about it and they have received it at once, others were offended and even some rejected us. When we were up north, we didn't just give Bibles, we didn't just put it in their mail boxes but we approach them because we want to be connected. We have also prayed for some people who are open. We believe that God will do something more amazing in the life of those people. We pray that their eyes will be open and will meet Jesus as the way, truth and life. Things didn't end in just distributing Bibles, we pray that these people will be connected to churches again so that they will grow. So please stand with us as we lift Norway to God and that the veil in their eyes will be lifted up.
We have also attended some of the meetings where Loren Cunningham was sharing about this vision. He is inspiring people to let this "book" transform people's lives.
Mom's homecoming...
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| With my mother :) |
My mother was confined in the hospital and I thought she will recover again but when she came out her health deteriorates so quick. I was able to talk with her and prayed and said how much I love her and thank her for everything she's done for me. I had so much hope that she will recover and soon I will be able to come home and introduce my baby to her. It was the hardest season in my life when I don't know how to pray anymore, I was so weak that I am just waiting for God's touch to heal her at that very moment. I was desperate. I fell asleep as I was pouring my heart to our Father, and then I woke up with so much hope from the dream that I had. My mom was healthy again. I made it through that day and in the night I got the news that she went home with our Father. No one will ever be prepared when it comes to this situation but in the midst of this, I have seen how God can show His love and embrace us in our deepest pain. Jesus has filled me with so much peace. I have let go of all my control during my mom's passing since I cannot travel back home because I might give birth anytime but through technology, Benjie and I were able to be a part of it and we were able to talk to our family during this grieving time. I miss her so much but there is hope that one day we will all meet again - in the grand reunion.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When
a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but
when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish,
for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
John 16:20-24
Meet our little Princess
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| Arabella in Kristiansand Hospital |
Arabella Maria is our new family member. She was born the 4th of November at 3:51 in the afternoon (Norwegian time). Her name means "Answered Prayer" and she is indeed an answer to our prayers.
Maybe many of you are interested to know if our daughter will be Norwegian citizen or what?! Well, she will be a Filipino citizen and we have started our process for her birth certificate and passport already. You can pray with us too as we process her visa here in Norway and other things needed before we go home to the Philippines.
We are really enjoying our time together although there's tons of adjustments being new parents. We pray for more of God's grace especially now that at times we feel stretched specially when we don't get enough sleep in the night :) but all in all we want to give back to God, the author of life all the glory and honor.
Visa Update:
Benjie has a valid missionary visa and I (Christina) is still waiting for the answer from my last application until now and soon (23.December at 9:15 in the morning) we will be in the Norwegian Directorate Office again for our daughter's visa since she is not a Norwegian. Please remember to pray for us in this matter.
PRAISE GOD FOR...
- His comfort and protection to our family in the Philippines especially in the time of loss- All the strength during the time of Christina’s delivery and I (Benjie) was able to be there beside her without fainting :) and for our healthy little girl (Arabella)
- His continuous provisions for all the things that we need
- His wisdom and knowledge during Christina’s school examination (3 weeks after she gave birth)
- His faithfulness for the whole 2014.
PRAYER POINTS:
Please pray for:
- our visa (Christina and Arabella)
- support (financially) to be established since we have a new family member
- our plan to go home to the Philippines in the Spring (for closure with my Mom's passing and some practical family matters)
- God's leading for this coming Autumn
- and in the long term (in less than 2 years, where will be our next step and what will it be?)
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Christmas Break and we are going to Klepp, celebrating Christmas with our adopted family and good friends.
- Workers Gathering in YWAM Grimerud (January 2-5, 2015)
- DTS Students are ready to make God known in Cambodia, Thailand & India (January-March 2015)
- Winter Time is Partner Weekend Time at Skjærgårdsheimen (January and February)
- God willing, we will be traveling to the Philippines for a month (April)
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