Merry Christmas!

Going back to our Joy Center

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it and again: Rejoice!”

Taken from Philippians 4:4, I remembered 2 years ago when I (Christina) did a school in YWAM Chatel. Mel Hanna, shared about Joy Center - how to go back to it when things doesn't happen the way we would want it to happen. When I think about the circumstances in our lives, its so easy to focus on the sad part and it actually takes a decision to look above and focus on God. The Lord is so gracious that even in simple ways like this He will still show how Great God we have. And now as we celebrate this Joyous Season, we pray that we will all see JESUS as the center of our lives and our Joy-giver. We can be overwhelmed with a lot of gifts, food, family and friends but let’s all look upon the main source of the Eternal Joy, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Be thankful for all He’s done all throughout this year whatever circumstances it might be! We want to thank you all for being a part of our journey all those years. Thank you for all your prayers, support both morally and financially. Thank you for the friendships and the fellowships. We are so thankful to each one of you. May you feel blessed in every way. Our whole year has been amazing with a lot of new things we’ve learned, with ups and downs, new friends we’ve made, new ministries we’ve been involved with and everything seems new when you have a growing child - every step of it is a gift. Glory to God!

A Glimpse of 2015 Highlights 2 Partner Weekends where we served our friends that supports our base. Father Heart Week. Benjie as part of the Management Team in the base. We turned over the kitchen after the Summer Camps. We attended GoFest. BSN started. Christina’s school also have started but didn't require a lot of attendance in school but a lot of reading, interviews done with the older missionary families both with YWAM and other organisations. Local Outreach: FriMat Program (helping the church in town to give free food to the refugees) where Bible Group follows with the immigrants. Arabella keeps growing and turned 1. Benjie taught in BSN, Outreach were set. We gives thanks to 4 years together. Love Feast hosted by the DTS, then the BSN and last the base staff. Christina did well in her exams.

Having Arabella was a great blessing! We got to have a real disciple. We sees how she copies things that we do, so we really have to be careful that in this crucial age she will see how we are living and serving God. It was a busy time for us as well but it wasn't still a good reason not to be able to communicate :) 

Packing the food for the refugees

In the Spring 2015, we ended our responsibility as leading the kitchen. We have sought God and believed we will be involved in a different ministry this time. Benjie joined the BSN Team. So over the summer he did the communications to the applicants, their references and other school stuff since the school leaders just got a baby before the school starts in the Autumn. They have 15 students from 6 nations. Both students and staff were challenged in a good way about the Bible the last 4 months. It was a journey through old and new testaments, learning and developing ways on how to approach difficult passages in the Bible. Benjie taught 2 subjects during the BSN: The Book of Exodus and Discipleship during the time of Jesus Christ. The school has been a great help in training students, not to mention the staff to become effective communicators and in their outreach they will be able to use the skills they’ve learned. The outreach will be in the Philippines and in Congo. Benjie will be leading a team of 18 people including himself (12 adults and 6 children) and from 5 different nations. Pray for grace, love and unity in the team and that we will be lead by the Holy Spirit in every way. The outreach will only be 6 weeks long since the lecture phase have taken more time. We as a family will travel right after the YWAM Workers Gathering this January, 11 days before the team so we’ll have time with our family and friends.

And on the other hand, Christina has been a part of BSN doing one-on-one and helping in local outreach (the Bible Group among the immigrants and giving free food to the refugees). At the same time, she continue studying and goes to school twice a month with our little Arabella, the rest of the study she does online. It was very enriching as it covers Religions, Christianity, Cultures and Intercultural Communication. Please pray that it'll be possible to write a research while joining the outreach to the Philippines.

We look forward to January outreach and praying that God will confirm to us what’s His plan for our next step. It’ll be a very exciting time, we will keep you posted.

BSN (Bible School for the Nations)Benjie is a staff for the BSN this Autumn and will be leading an outreach to the Philippines this January. 

Arabella turned 1Our little girl is now 1 and were parents for 1 year too. Thanking God in every way, without Him it'll be impossible.

Global StudiesChristina has 1 semester left with her studies at Mission and Theology School. She will be writing about the Norwegian Missionaries whose been living overseas for a long time and are now back in their home country.

PRAYER CORNER

Pray that our time in the Philippines will be fruitful. And for Christina, to have a great time with her family as she faces reality of not having Mom around as it used to be. For Benjie’s family that they will encounter the Lord in a very special way.

It’ll be Arabella’s first visit in the Philippines, pray that she’ll manage the long flights and for all of us to be all healthy and happy :) 

Pray for our finances during the whole outreach, unity among the team and with the people we will be working with.

Pray that God will confirm our next step from the Autumn in 2016.