Merry Christmas From The Thiessens
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May Freedom & Exuberant, Spontaneous Joy Be Yours This Christmas!
For us, the picture above captures the beauty of freedom when expressing the joy within one’s heart! Freedom should give birth to joy! When our sins have been forgiven and we’ve been made new and given right standing with God, we have reason to rejoice! Our freedom in Christ enables us to live in relationship with God Himself! For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ! And God made this freedom possible by sending His only Son to be our Saviour. “For God so loved the world, though He knew what love would cost, He made a way in a manger, to make a way to the cross.” This love, which made freedom from sin possible, should birth within us an exuberant, spontaneous, uninhibited, overflowing Joy!
May this kind of joy be yours as you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season! We are thankful to be spending Christmas with loved ones, friends & our church family. We thought we wouldn’t be here, so it’s truly a surprise blessing!
Although we do not have much time or space to decorate or set up a tree, we are praying that God puts time and space in our hearts and lives to focus on Him. The Saviour of the World came so that we might live in joy and peace, with hope for eternity. It is this hope for eternity, the good news for all people, that spurs us forward and onward to Mexico.
Going, Going….Gone!
The title for our October Newsletter was “Going, going...not quite yet.” As you can see it’s now changed to “Going, Going...Gone!” That’s because God has proven Himself faithful & in control! We just heard back from our church conference (EMC) & the new budget for next year does have space for us to be supported as Associate Missionaries! We are praising God for answering our prayer in this way & for His continued provision! With this support we are only a few % points away from being fully supported on a monthly basis & we now find ourselves preparing to leave for Mexico!
This means that during December we will be trying to balance Christmas celebrations & gatherings with last minute sorting, packing, paperwork, passport & visa stuff, school concerts, last gymnastics & hockey practices & good-byes. It’s going to be a whirlwind with mixed emotions & we will be in the middle of it! Therefore, we request & appreciate your prayers for us in this busy, stressful season of transition & change. We trust God will give us the strength & wisdom to get everything done & to finish well.
We also ask that you join us in prayer for safety as we travel to Mexico. The plan is that Anthony, Josiah & Karlene’s Dad will drive our Toyota down, starting from La Crete on Dec. 28th or 29th & hopefully arriving in Guadalajara, January 5th-7th. Karlene, Keyana & Karlene’s mom will then fly down sometime January 5th-7th, once the boys have arrived & are able to pick them up at the airport.
We praise God that just yesterday a contract was signed on a rental house for us in Guadalajara! This means that we get to skip house hunting & can move straight into our home. This will give us time to settle & acquaint ourselves with the city before we start language school on January 15th!
We are excited & incredibly blessed! We are also humbled by those who have faithfully encouraged us & helped us on our way. Getting to Mexico & serving there would not be possible without the countless people who are standing with us in prayer, encouragement & support! Thank-you so much! We praise God for His faithfulness & for creating His church to be a network that interacts in various ways, using God given abilities and spiritual gifts, to expand His Kingdom. In whatever role God has given you, in The Body of Christ, know that you are needed & play a vital part in His Kingdom Work!
We trust that your Christmas will be full of exuberant & spontaneous joy as you celebrate the greatest Gift of all time - Jesus Christ! Praise His Name!
We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year….until our next Talk’O together ....be blessed!
In Christ, Anthony, Karlene, Josiah & Keyana
Pray
Pray that we will continue to experience God’s peace, direction and guidance as we prepare, pack and say goodbyes.
(esp. for Josiah & Keyana)
Pray for continued spiritual growth as God uses this time of transition to refine our faith and build our trust in Him.
Pray for safety as we travel to & through mexico. Pray that entrance into the country will go smoothly.
Praise
We Praise God for Provision through His people that has enabled us to reach the support Goal needed for departure at the End of December! Things Have come together according to God’s timing & we know this will continue B/C He is in Control!
we praise God For the extra time He’s given us to better prepare for our departure and to spend Christmas with Family.
We praise God for providing a house for us in Guadalajara!
Give
If you would like to partner with us financially,
EMAIL: giving@teamcanada.org
CALL TEAM Canada: 1-800-295-4160
OUR COUNTRY CODE IS 2400 AND PERSONAL ACCOUNT #110689.
THANK-YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS IMPORTANT ROLE.
Stay Connected
To receive our email newsletters (in color and with pictures) contact us at: anthonythiessen7@gmail.com
To read our blog “The Thiessen Times” visit: www.akthiessen.blogspot.com
Find us on facebook:…...coming soon :)
SOME EXCITING NEWS…
TEAM has just launched a new logo & website!!! You can check out the main site at the link below:
You can also visit specific sites for the various countries where TEAM is serving. Check out TEAM Mexico’s page at the link below:
Such wonderful news! We will definitely be keeping you in our prayers as you transition and journey into what God has called you into. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! We greatly appreciate knowing that you're praying for us! It is so needed and so important!!! One of the awesome things about being part of the Body of Christ! May God continue to bless your family as He uses you where He's planted you! And if you ever need to escape the cold Canadian winter.......we'd love to have you visit! :)
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