Dear Family and Friends:
What a wonderful promise is in Ephesians 5:2. “Christ also hath loved us, and
hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
savor.
” Here, we rejoice in Jesus as our Peace who offers fellowship with God.
Peace with God, not because of our gifts but because of His Gift.
Thank you for your many expressions of love – both through financial gifts, as
well as personal cards and notes. Thank you most of all for praying for the work
here. All through December we planned on sending out a prayer letter but then
we got buried in the many responsibilities here with the church. While we were a
bit exhausted at times, it was exciting to see God at work. God blessed the
Christmas program. The children did well, and people were again offered the
Gospel. In our 60-seat auditorium, we had about 47 people.
The Smith’s daughter, Melody, and her husband Jim, who are missionaries to
Chile, helped us have a Spanish service during December. Jim preached with
Melody interpreting. Melody also taught a story for the children using a
ventriloquist puppet. Though it was disappointing more Hispanics did not come,
we felt the service went well. Two ladies came in addition to Victoria and her two
boys. After the service, Victoria’s oldest son, Kevin, happily told us he
understood everything.
Sunday mornings, we began a new study on God’s attributes with the idea of
Discovering our God: Seek Him, Trust Him, Know Him. Already, we have seen that
God is Faithful, Good, Holy, Jealous, and Just. We have been helped to see
God’s glories and the difference they make in our lives today. Sunday evenings,
Paul just started preaching through Leviticus. Often neglected, Leviticus has
many treasures for Christians today. It has already been exciting to see Christ in
both the Burnt and the Grain offerings.
Please pray for Ida. During Christmas she walked away from God and gave in to
her old temptations. Please pray for complete victory. She seems like she is
ready. Also please pray for Simon. He called Paul from the hospital after being
attacked with a knife. He said the experience scared him and that he was ready
to turn to God. Since then, Paul has counseled him over the phone and he does
watch the services through Zoom. Please pray that God would truly get hold of
his heart. It is heart-breaking to see the devil use alcohol, drugs, friends, and
immorality to keep people from God.
As a family, we are memorizing Ephesians chapter 4. This chapter is full of truth
important for every Christian. A couple weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I
overheard Hannah (our nine-year-old) telling Alice (a lady at church) something
about the things in the chapter. That evening before church, Alice came up to
Hannah to say that she read the chapter that afternoon and was helped by it.
How encouraging and humbling to see what God can do in and through willing
hearts.
Thank you for praying for our family. Over the last few weeks, we have had to
make several trips to Phoenix for Andrew’s appointments. He had a neurology
checkup as well as being fitted for and then receiving ankle and spine braces.
We praise God for putting Andrew in our lives. We are thankful for each
moment.
Here is a recent example of God’s goodness above our need or imagination.
Through some friends, a couple is in the process of giving the church a baby
grand piano. We will receive the piano as soon as we can do some work on our
platform. Though our current piano is just fine, the new one is just a special
touch of God’s goodness. Our current piano will then go to a Christian trade
school in Utah.
Another blessing is this week Don and Patty Beebout (a couple from Iowa) will be
here to help with projects on the church. While they are here, we are hoping to
work on the platform and do some electrical repairs. The Beebouts have been a
tremendous help with the building through the years. We are thankful for those
who willingly serve the Lord with their hands.
Thank you again for praying. God is answering your prayer. As we consider what
God is doing through His power in willing hearts to draw people to Himself, our
hearts lift in praise, “to God be the glory, great things he has done!”
All for Jesus,
Paul and Naomi Sondergaard
Ruthanne, Nathan, Hannah, Aletheia, and Andrew