April 2017 Newsletter

We Are In NORWAY!

April 10, 2017

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harness is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

Aloha ,

Today marks exactly two weeks since we hopped on a plane to fly to Norway. Although we've only been on the ground for a week and half, so much has happened already. To say our time has been full could almost be an understatement. We're so grateful to report that God has been moving powerfully and even more grateful to see how our children are being used for God's glory.

We landed in Oslo and somehow got our whole team (and luggage) on a train just in time to head to YWAM Grimerud where we stayed for two days to acclimate. There's more to our time there but for brevity sake, we drove 6 hours from Grimerud to a town called Molde (pronounced Mole-duh). As soon as we arrived we were greeted so warmly by friends who have now become family, given the keys to our apartment for our family, then straight into our first worship ministry night. Suffice to say, I was so tired by then end of the night that when I went to the grocery store to pick up some essentials for breakfast I accidentally locked the keys to my van in the car and had to call the Politi (police) to help me get back into my car. That was a cold night indeed...

Below are some of the highlights of the praises, what we've done, and what you can continue to pray for!

What Has Happened Thus Far:

* We collectively as a team have ministered the Gospel of Jesus to over 200 people

* In Molde alone we've held 3 intercessory prayer and worship lunchtimes attended by key Christian leaders of the city

* We had three, two-hour, ministry/worship nights (Mon/Wed/Sat) that were well attended. In just the Monday gathering alone we prayed for physical healing and saw 7 people miraculously healed. (There was much joy in the room as we watched people test out what was healed! One man in particular walked in very stiff and later explained that the cartilage in his knees had deteriorated causing extreme pain when he walked much less be able to squat. As he did squat after squat he exclaimed, "I haven't been able to do this for 5 years!" 

* Tuesday Liz gave her testimony at a gap year school and later that night after the gospel was presented 7 students surrendered their lives to Jesus. (They attended the ministry night on Wednesday)

* I was part of a 3 person panel at a High School for an event called "Roast a Christian." You can't openly evangelize at the High School but they provide this opportunity for students to ask any hard question they want. The Holy Spirit provided us the perfect words for every question and we were prepared to give a defense for the faith. Many, many seeds were planted the hard soil in many students hearts were loosened up.

* I also had the opportunity to teach at a Parenting conference the same day. My topic given to me was "How to Raise a Jesus Centered Family." God was glorified and mindsets were shifted drastically.

* We had a youth gathering on Friday night where we saw freedom to worship God break out among all the people who attended. Many began to dance because of such a huge outpouring of joy filling the room.

* Saturday we made waffles/fresh coffee and handed them out to the Romanian and Bulgarian beggars in the downtown area. We used the food to start conversation and each time we had the opportunity to pray for the needs of each person. Our kids did such a great job of stepping out in faith through laying hands on people and praying bold prayers. 

* Sunday we participated in the Palm Sunday service with the local church we've been partnering with. I somehow was cast as Jesus and made to dress up and "ride a donkey" while "palm branches" were waved all around for a short drama with the children. Scott and I also were privileged to lead worship for the congregation.

The church praying for our team...

If you made it to the end of that...I'm amazed and to God be all the glory for what has happened so far (and this is the abridged version!). 

Praises:

* Over $100,000 in funds came in the last week of lecture phase allowing for every single person in our training school to go on their outreaches!

* God has given such grace for ministry in Norway. The harvest is truly ripe.

* God has been meeting every need for our family: emotional, spiritual, and physical.

* We've developed relationships with other families that has truly made this place feel like home. We know we will back to Molde as a family at some point after we complete outreach phase.

* We are seeing the body of Christ fight for unity here in Molde

Things you can pray for:

* We leave for a new town 6 hours north of Molde today. Pray for travel mercies.

* That God would continue to bring unity in our team for His glory.

* That God would give us all energy. The days have been long and full.

* That God would prepare the hearts of the people we are to minister to in the next city. 

* That those we have had the opportunity to minister to would plug into the churches we connected them to. That those churches would proactively seek out and disciple the new Christians.

If you are interested in helping us with our

daily needs

you can 

to us

during our training that is non tax-deductible. It is currently the best way to help us pay for diapers, baby food pouches, our health insurance, car insurance, etc. Also, if you were planning to fill out a

but haven't yet, please consider doing that soon. Now that we've been able to settle down a bit from all the crazy of preparing to leave, we've updated our spreadsheet and we are about

$1,750

short of the pledged monthly giving goal we set for ourselves before we left for Kona. (Links below)

Mahalo for your prayers and your financial gifts. Knowing we have so many of you contending for us in prayer lifts our spirits each and every day.

May we all throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us so that we can run with perseverance the race marked out for each of us. Let us each fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith who considered it JOY to endure the cross for us so that we don't lose heart or grow weary. Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. Amen.

With Grateful and Expectant Hearts,

Chris, Lizzi, Malakai, Laila, and Rhema 

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