We have much to be thankful for, not only as we look back over the last two months, but also as we look ahead!  Our family celebrated Thanksgiving during the “Herftsvakantie” (fall vacation) since Peter had a week off from school.  We made and decorated a “Thankful Tree” and each person had his own color of leaves to fill with praises.  And, of course, we enjoyed turkey, dressing, and other yummy favorites!

 

 

On September 18, Theo had the privilege of baptizing a couple who faithfully attends our Bible study. It was a joy to hear their testimonies and see how the Lord is working in their lives!  Please pray for their continued growth in grace, and that their faith would not fail.  Unsaved people were in attendance and Theo was able to clearly give the Gospel in the service.

 

 

Last Thursday marked the end of our second Bible study course, but since everyone expressed interest in continuing, we will begin immediately with a new study. We desire that the Lord would grow this little group and that He will give us another like-minded family in this early phase of church planting.

 

 

We are busily planning Christmas outreaches and are excited as we watch what the Lord is doing.  We have been given (at very little cost) a beautiful wooden stall in the yearly Christmas market! We are also seeking permission for  another outreach in a local hospital and hope to give unsaved neighbors and friends a small Christmas basket. Our prayer is that these outreaches will provide us with contacts to start another cycle of our evangelistic Bible study during the month of February.

 

 

We finally received word from the immigration office that Sarah has been granted her residency permit for the first year of her stay. This also grants her permission to take on some private flute students. Our desire is to use it as an additional way to make contacts in our community.

 

 

On the family side, Peter had a great school report, and his Dutch is now on the “sufficient” level!  In the last few weeks, Miriam has made some exciting progress in learning to obey, and we are thankful that baby Luke is sleeping through the night, even before 3 months!!! 

 

We all enjoyed fellowship with other GFA families at Camp Impact in Germany, as well as a visit from GFA director Alan Patterson and his wife.

 

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention our thanks to the Lord for YOU who are reading this letter and praying for us!  In fact, one of the leaves on our Thankful Tree says “for our supporters”!  May the Lord give you a wonderful time of Thanksgiving!

 

 

Daily growth in grace

Fruit from our Christmas outreaches

Spiritual growth of those attending our study

A stable Christian family to help us in our church planting endeavor

Language mastery for Sarah and  Peter

 

Serving Him joyfully,

 

Theo and Sarah van Reijn