Hello!
I just wanted to wish you a,
I hope you have a great time over the next few weeks and a well deserved rest! Put your feet up and snuggle up by the fire! J
I can’t share in the same blessings as you right now because I am in sunny South Africa (which is a strange experience for me because I am used to cold, wet (even sometimes snowy) English weather! But I have had found time and opportunity to finally take a couple of days to rest and relax at the beach as compensation! (personally though I’d rather be snuggling right now! Haha!)
I wanted you to share in some amazing news with me because after all the praying, fund raising and writing newsletters I can now excitedly say that ALL of my course fees have
been paid off! God is good and he answers prayer! So I want to take this opportunity to give him praise and glory because he deserves it!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has taken the time to read my newsletters, to stand with me in prayer, to sponsor me financially, to keep
in contact with me and to encourage me – your efforts have impacted me in a positive way and have made a huge difference!
I say many times that I do not do the work I am doing on my own but it is only with the help of other people that it can happen – we work as a team! So thank you from the
bottom of my heart for all you have given to seeing this vision a reality. However, it’s not over yet because I am only half way through the course – my team and I will be starting our journey over to Brazil on Thursday morning at 07:00am. I have done research about Brazil and Serra (the town that I am going to) but it can only give a glimpse of the reality there. Serra has been reported as the most dangerous place in the whole of Brazil for the last 5 years. This has challenged me with concerns for my life but, as my team have been praying, God has consistently said assured us of his protection and anointing to go and do what he has called us to do, I am reminded of Joshua 1:6-9 where God, repeating himself three times, tells Joshua not to fear but that God will be with him and Israel as the go into the promised lands. Before this Joshua had responded in faith and boldness and now here he is being weathered by fear. I have responded in boldness and faith in doing this course but I am aware that, like Joshua, I am also human and I too need God’s encouragement, presence and protection as I go.
Please continue, or begin to (if you haven’t started already), pray for me and my team as we go to Brazil and while we are there – we really need your prayers and they make a major difference (even if you don’t consider yourself to be a Christian God will still hear and honour your prayers because of your heart!).
Please, I ask and invite you to stand with me as my friends and family…
Well that’s enough about the latest in my life, what is happening in yours? I would really like to know (honestly!), I’d love to hear from you (especially I am having a lonelier Christmas this year) and anything that I can be praying for you with.
I encourage you to remember what the point of this holiday is about and not to just enjoy its benefits…
God be with you over Christmas; in your families and in your hearts!
Steven
