After a wonderful Thanksgiving with family in Indiana (our first Thanksgiving since 1996), we have been ministering in churches and enjoying the connections with old friends. Yesterday, we drove about 8 hours some 500 miles in snow to two churches in two different cities. In the meantime, we have been hanging out with Gina and Christi in Spring Arbor, and my parents in Winona Lake. Christmas season is going strong in the USA. May the Lord revive believers with Christ excitement more than ever!
The exciting news is that the Thessaloniki group are having a great time ... even when we are away! They are having very good ministry and amazing persons are stepping up to keep things going and growing! God has amazingly provided key people to make it possible for the Pastor and Worship Leader to be gone for 10 Sundays. We want to introduce you to the team:
Kali, our daughter, and Rachel, an intern, are overseeing all the organizational details. Kali is the mission assistant. Rachel helped host the guest speaker from Kosovo this past weekend. Along with the youth, English classes, A21 volunteer, and the bookstore, they are also keeping an eye on pappou.
Pastors Johnson and Favor joined the church a year ago after ministries in Nigeria and in African church in Greece. They are leading Wed prayer, Bible lessons and preaching. Their experience, faithfulness and spiritual anointing is warmly welcomed by the Greeks, Bulgarians, and Albanians.
Mimis is gifted musician and everyone loves his worship leadership. He is a guest minister that freely offers his time and gift to bless the little Balkan group. His wife also helps translate.
Natalie is one of the translators. She too joins in with the worship team. She has a lot of experience and has helped with the conferences this past year. She is great to have around.
Ruth has recently joined and has a heart for ministry, especially to Albanians. They are the largest minority population in Greece and little ministry is reaching them. She also helps with translation. Here she is with her nephew.
Pray for this team and remember the work in Thessaloniki as we travel around. Femi, an Nigerian married to a Greek, preached the first Sunday. Driton from Kosovo preached yesterday, Dec 5. My first Greek roommate back in Athens 1984 and now Director of Salvation Army, Polis, will preach the next Sunday, Dec 12. May God continue to work in Thessaloniki by drawing on the gifts and the precious believers to strengthen His kingdom in the city.
The Maria and Mike ministry asks your prayers too;
Dec 8 Wed @ West Morris Indy
Dec 12 Sun @ Attica, IN and Olney, IL
Dec 13 Mon @ Bedford, IN friends
Dec 14 Tue @ St. Francisville, IL
Dec 15 Wed @ Vincennes, IN
Dec 16 Thu @ Columbus, IN friends
