I want to encourage you to join me in daily prayer for others. Pick a few names of people you know, consider including a teenager in your list, and pray daily for these people for the next year. We may or may not see what God is doing this year in their lives, but we can trust that He is working.
Missionary Focus...
Working here at Black Forest Academy allows me a glimpse into many different missions and the beautiful tapestry of ministry God is weaving around the world. Over Christmas break, I was privileged to be able to spend Christmas Eve with the Walker family and get to know a little more of their story. Mark Walker is an American who grew up as an MK (missionary kid) helping his parents smuggle bibles into eastern Europe. He met and married Ria, a German, and together they have five daughters. I occasionally get the privilege of working with their youngest when I am helping at the middle school. Ria also works at the middle school, and Mark currently helps pastor and lead in some of the areas evangelical German churches. This family has a passion for spreading the good news of Christ and for ministering to the community around them.
Side Notes...
Break was a relaxing and refreshing time for me.
I spend a wonderful 5 days in Switzerland.
I enjoyed playing games, watching movies, and eating food with friends.
It looks like I will be able to sit in on a German class in the spring semester!
Please Pray...
That Christ's love will be seen and felt by my students
That the students taking exams at the end of this month would do well
For the middle school student whom I mentor and our growing relationship
An ELL teacher was able to finish raising support and come over break; pray for her and her husband's transition into their roles here (her husband will be working with the chaplain)
That the 100+ students who have signed up for spring missions trips would be able to raise their funds and prepare with their teams over the next couple of months before heading out to impact 9 different areas around Europe and north Africa.
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.