Jim and Lynn Jarman  
Nordic Project Leaders & Church Multiplication Catalysts
Serving Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia 
Based in Stockholm, Sweden 
Newsletter #26 - May to September, 2020   

 
   
  When Life Gives You Lemons 
 
       Is there anyone out there who wants to go through 2020 again?  Raise your hand.  We didn't think so.  Maybe a redo, but definitely not a repeat.  What a crazy, messed up year!  Lock downs.  Quarantines.  Social Distancing.  Masks.  No
church.  Online church.  Outside church.  Reservations for inside church.  Yikes!  Did you ever imagine you would say, "I'm going to wear my good mask today?"  And this doesn't even begin to touch the drama on social media, friends who are out of work, political chaos, or the potential that none of this is going to end soon.
       But think about this:  What if all this upheaval in society is the greatest opportunity for the gospel we may ever see in our lifetimes? 
     Most of our mamas used to say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  And, of course, they meant for us to make the best of bad situations and turn them around for good.  By God's grace, this is exactly what we have been able to do in the middle of a pandemic from our less than ideal circumstances in Sweden.  We have been given the opportunity to influence over 100 thousand people from 45 nations on a daily basis.  (You can read about this below.)  Scores have accepted Christ for the very first time.  We are in awe of God's goodness.  
      And, it is your prayers and faithful financial support that have carried us forward.  We are so grateful for your kindness and generosity.  Thank you for standing with us and caring for us.  We trust that new doors of opportunity will open for each of you as well.

Warm greetings from your friends, 
Jim and Lynn
    
 
Leading Through Crisis  
 
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number,  
from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,  
standing before the throne and before the Lamb...."
Revelation 7:9 (ESV) 
 
Here is our journey during the months of May to September 2020.  
 
 
  Technology is wonderful.  Many of us are becoming quite familiar with Zoom.  It's not the same as face to face, but what would we do without this capability?  Here we strategize with ministry colleagues in California and Estonia.  We work with amazing people who are giving their hearts and lives for the Nordic Baltic nations.
 
  And using this technology - from Stockholm, Jim was able to preach to our friends at Redeemer Grace Church in Geneva, Switzerland on Pentecost Sunday in May.  We have walked alongside this wonderful church plant for several years as they minister to the international community on Lac Leman's North Shore.    
 
Sweden didn't quarantine.  There is very little social distancing and no masks.  Churches can meet with 50 people or under.  We, however, are being careful and proactive.  We exercise regularly and eat healthy.  Here is Jim's Gym inside our 600 square foot apartment.  You may remember that a year ago in May, Jim tore the "widow maker" artery close to his heart and needed emergency surgery.  This July, the heart doctor declared, "We can find no evidence of heart damage.  Your heart is completely normal."  We are so thankful for this miracle.  Jim happened to be the only person in the heart center wearing a mask.  People over 65 in Sweden were not treated for Covid and the news reported that elder euthanasia was common.  It was scary and unnerving. 

Many Swedish churches transitioned to online services.  While we are no longer on staff with New Life Church Stockholm, we continue to coach some of their site pastors.  Here Cris Salvador, site pastor at New Life South, teaches on the need for interdependence in the middle of a pandemic.  New Life South is doing a good job reaching Stockholm's southern suburbs.

People in the Nordic nations maintain a close connection with the land and the sea.  Spending time in the forest collecting berries and mushrooms are common activities for many families.  This summer, friends brought us a big bucket of blueberries which we sorted, cleaned, and froze for this winter.  Here's a glimpse of our apartment.  

Josef and Isabelle Arnfjell - site pastors at New Life Västerås - are our dear friends and colleagues.  We have been blessed to be their mentors for the past five years.  With all the changes that have taken place in the New Life Network, they have decided to move in a different direction.  You will learn New Life Västerås' new name in our next newsletter.  Josef and Isabelle are amazing leaders with deep hearts for church planting. 
 
Jim never dreamed of being a TV star, but here he is on the big screen!  Jim is teaching the online service for a Swedish church.  You can also see more of our apartment.    
  
We can't begin to tell you how much we miss our family.  Zoom is wonderful, but it's not a real hug.  We have not been back stateside in almost 2 years and it's been over 3 since we've been with most of our family.  We appreciate your prayers for them - and for us. 
 
And here's the wonderful opportunity we mentioned earlier in this newsletter.  One of the missions we partner with specializes in print and social media.  Their Christian women's magazine - Junia - has been in print for 20 years.  They have asked us to help them with the brand new digital English version.  We are beginning with a Facebook page and website and will eventually have a digital flip magazine.  Right now, we all are running to keep up with God.  In just four months, the Junia Magazine Facebook page has 111K followers from over 45 nations.  Lynn has daily posts and is writing a regular column called "Walking with Jesus".  Recently, when the salvation prayer was posted, over 80 women indicated first time decisions to follow Christ.  We are completely in awe that in the middle of a pandemic we have been given this opportunity by God.  Please pray that God continues to expand this ministry.  At one time, Swedish missionaries touched the world with the Gospel.  It's wonderful to help them return.  
 
God keeps expanding our ministry.  We serve the Nordic nations and Russia.  This summer we have had numerous zoom conferences with our partners in Russia planning for the future.  Here Jim is teaching in Rostov-on-Don last November.  We needed to cancel a conference in St. Petersburg for this November, but hope to be back in Siberia in February.   
 
The days are growing shorter, but the ministry continues.  Here Lynn has a late afternoon online coaching session with a Swedish leader while she sits by the "fire".
 
 We love each of you - our friends, partners, and supporters who prayerfully and financially stand with us for the gospel in the Nordic nations.  We are so grateful for each of you and we THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

Please pray for us and rejoice with us!
 
New Opportunities in a Closed Season - PRAISE
Protection and Health - PLEASE PRAY
Applying for Swedish Citizenship in October - PRAY   
Our Ministry to the Nordic Nations - PRAY 
The Expansion and Outreach of Junia Magazine - PRAY  
   
Finances 
 BIG  
PRAYER REQUEST
We have lost several partners during this crisis year
including a substantial amount from one church.
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a monthly partner?   
 
To see our new profile page or...
To become a monthly partner - or send a special gift  
please click on our name below and go to our profile page. 
The giving link is easy to use. 
Thank you for remembering us and the Nordic nations!

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Pray for Revival in the Nordic nations!