Happy New Year From Sweden

Nordic Light

The Nordic Project for Church Multiplication

Jim and Lynn Jarman

Nordic Project Leaders & Church Multiplication Catalysts

Serving Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia and Beyond

Based in Stockholm, Sweden

Newsletter #27 - October - December 2020

Happy New Year from Up North

Greetings!

2020 is finally over. Can we get an "AMEN"? What a challenging year for all of us! For some, it was a year of great sorrow. For others, financial loss. For most, times of loneliness and upheaval. There are few who will say, "Let's do that again." It is a year that will not soon be forgotten - no matter how hard we try.

But for many, it was also the year when they met Jesus for the very first time. It was a year of amazing joy. The times of great crisis are often the most important moments for the Gospel. There is no one who can bring hope like Jesus. There is no one who can comfort like the Holy Spirit. There is no one who can reassure like God the Father.

And as you will see, this has been our experience. In the midst of losing friends to Covid, missing family we cannot hug, and wondering with you what the future holds - we have found God to be faithful beyond measure. He holds all things in his hands including the days of our lives. It is this promise that continues to propel us forward. Thank you for being our partners.

Happy New Year from your friends,

Jim and Lynn

Great Joy in a Year to Forget

"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Revelation 21:5

Our autumn was late in coming this year, but still beautiful with many colors. 2020 was the warmest year in Sweden's 160 years of recorded weather. In Stockholm, we have had very little snow. In November and December, there have been only a few days with sunshine. The days are short and dark.

October is our birthday month. We are 20 days apart in age. Here Lynn thanks God for his blessings. The cake was a gift from two church plants we have helped. Remember before Covid when someone would blow on a cake and then we would all eat a piece? LOL

In our last newsletter, we shared how we are partnering with a Swedish mission organization to develop a digital English language version of their popular Christian women's magazine. We began with a Facebook page and website. In just 7 months, God has blessed this ministry with almost 146,000 Facebook followers from 45 nations. In early summer, the salvation prayer was posted. Women were asked to write "Amen" if they were receiving Jesus for the first time. As of December 29, over 900 women have responded "Amen". This is an amazing response! Hearts are hungry to know God in a year of great uncertainty.

In November and December, we raised the funds to buy 500 Swedish New Testaments to mail as free gifts to those who request them via several Swedish websites. This special "Mitt Hopp" (My Hope) version also includes many stories of lives that have been transformed by Jesus. Our prayer is that each Bible will result in at least one salvation. This is a project dear to our hearts as Lynn was saved at age 11 when she bought a New Testament for 25 cents, read it through twice, and knelt by her bed and accepted Christ. Thank you for your gifts. Now we ask for your prayers.

New Life Västerås is developing a new way to reach their community. This special bicycle is being transformed into a coffee wagon to deliver free fika to people in the downtown area where the church is located. In January, New Life Church Västerås will become SOS Church Västerås as they join a new church network. We have walked alongside these dear friends for over five years and are so excited for their future.

This has been a hard year for so many. This is Rolf and Bibbi - our next door neighbors on our apartment floor. Even during the pandemic, we would fika with social distancing in the hallway. Rolf died from Covid on December 16. He fought hard to live and they both were so careful all year long. Rolf was the former technical director for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. He was really looking forward to his company's vaccine. Please pray for Bibbi.

This fall we applied for Swedish citizenship. This is a process that can take up to 3 years with the average application taking 1.5 years to reach a decision. Thanks to your prayers, Lynn was granted citizenship in just 9 DAYS. Jim received his in 31 days. This is a miracle! We are now dual citizens with the USA. This gives added security and freedom of movement all throughout the EU and elsewhere. To be Swedish citizens means we are also EU citizens.

Christmas is the season for giving. Here Pastor Cris from New Life South is delivering Christmas presents to the people of his church. One of these wonderful baskets was delivered to our home. What a blessing!

Eugene and Heléne Betts, co-pastors of New Life Sollentuna, team teach their online Christmas service in front of their home fireplace. It has been remarkable to work with this couple and watch them step into their roles as pastors. Eugene is from South Africa and Heléne is the daughter of Swedish missionaries to the Central African Republic.

As the sun rises on Stockholm, so too, we all are seeing the dawn of 2021. Thank you for being our faithful partners - in prayers and giving, in friendship and love. We pray for you the prayer found in 3 John 1:2 - "Beloved, we pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

Please pray for us and rejoice with us!

New Opportunities in a Closed Season - PRAISE

Protection and Health - PRAY

Swedish Citizenship Granted- PRAISE

Our Work in the Nordic Nations - PRAY

People Accepting Christ via Social Media - HUGE PRAISE

Swedish Bibles Being Given Away - PRAY

Monthly Support Needed - PRAY

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