We just finished the book of Hebrews and are starting James.  Our people are excited about what they are learning.  More exciting is that they are not just listening, but it is changing their everyday interactions with friends and family.

Hebrews stressed an enduring faith that withstands every down setting.   Such faith is not dependent upon present results and miracles, rather on the promise of eternity.  During this series my prayer was, “God grow me in faith”.

Just as we finished up Hebrews, our car had its yearly government inspection, in which there were complications.  An indicator light would not reset.  I had to drive to the dealership to get it reset.  This meant rescheduling the inspection.  On the way to the dealer, the brake indicator came on.  “Hmmm, ok God I know you have a plan.”  The dealer reset the light and we were a go for the inspection.  I took Chelli to school the next morning for English classes and on the way home the clutch went out.  I called the garage and planned to have the car in on Monday.  We had to “rent” a car for the rest of the day and the following Tuesday as the garage’s loaner was unavailable.  Thankful for car-sharing.

Knowing this all was going to be expensive, I opened the mail to find that the German Tax office said we owed 2100€ in taxes.  The next day, there was another letter: the heating bill for the hard winter of 2012: 1,600€ .  Noting that this came after I had ordered some Christmas gifts, sent me a-wandering.  What, How and When became the beginning of many of my thoughts.  Then the peace…God knew all this before it happened.  He is not surprised.

Perfect… our key verse for James is 1;22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” The preacher can’t stand in faith and fall apart at the same time.  God answered my prayer.  He put me in a position where I couldn’t help but grow.

It was wonderful to have our church grow in faith through this time as well.  They decided to help pay the first payment to the garage for our car repairs, as it is, used primarily for the ministry.

We are excited about a new opportunity in 2015.  Our city has begun taking in refugees from the unrest in the middle east and Africa.  I am going to offer my help as translator between officials and the seekers.  Many of these are open to the gospel as they are disenfranchised.  Our prayers are that many will receive Christ and that this will encourage our people in their faith.  The freshness of new faith can revive like nothing else.

Please pray for God’s providence and blessings for the ministry here in Wittenberg.

Thanks so much for your support!

Paul, Chelli and the Sudbrock Kids.

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