I am so thankful to be a part of God's church. To be here, serving families from around the world, to know that I can only be here because of generous friends and family who also want to support God's kingdom outside of their local area. I feel priveledged to also be given this view of God's global family as He wonderfully brings us together in so many ways to love and serve each other and to be served by each other. Here is what one of my student's mother wrote in a recent email: "Rebecca, I appreciate you so much! You have no idea what a God-send you are! Tell your supporters I said so :) Really." Thank you to all of my supporters for your prayers, encouragement, and finacnical gifts that allow me to be here and serve this part of God's family. You too are having an imact in Germany and beyond.
I want you to know how thankful I am for each and every one of you! I know there are people praying for me across 3 continents! I wish you could all know each other and get a glimpse of this amazing group of people and the wonderful ways God has brought us together to serve in his kingdom. In thinking about you and praying for all of you, this chapter of scripture comes to mind:
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Thank you for living out these scriptures in your lives!
Side Notes...
I will be staying here over the Christmas break. I am looking forward to a short trip with friends to Switzerland, and I have been invited to a German/American home to celebrate on Christmas Eve.
This month I was asked if I would be interested in mentoring a middle school student who also wanted her mentor to be able to teach her ballet. We have had our first time together last week and it was great.
I also started meeting with a weekly language partner. Our goal is for her to improve her English and for me to learn some more German. We have met a few times now and I think this is also the start to a good friendship.
Please Pray...
For my students who have a range of knowledge and relationship with God
For continued wisdom in determine the appropriate support levels for each student
For my language learning
For the school as a few students have had to go home over the past couple weeks for various reasons and this has been a hard experience for everyone involved
If you would like to make a monthly pledge or other financial contribution at this time please click on this link or enter the web address: https://give.teachbeyond.org/usa/ You can designate giving for Rebecca Swanson or account number 40335.