Our March Update

There is a lot of information in this update, though parts of it you may already know. A few items are being shared again for the benefit of our newest Prayer Team members. For those who have been with us from the beginning (and wait ever so patiently for another update) and for those who are new --- THANK YOU for your faithful prayers for us. We could not be here without them.

Ministry opportunities

Bill is teaching every Sunday at noon at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Garðabær. Average attendance is 25. Most are believers from other countries, though at least 3 are unsaved and Icelandic. Two families drive a very long distance to get to the church. One family from the south drives an hour and fifteen minutes; the other couple (she is a believer, he is not) from the north drives 45 minutes. These could be two possible preaching points for future outreach. We are prayerfully giving leadership, training and direction as needed.

Cindy will assume leadership of a Women’s Bible study that already meets on Friday nights, with the intention to train one of the other ladies to lead it.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Europe is planning to send a Bible study to every home in Iceland beginning October 2012, starting in Akureyri, the second largest city in Iceland. Their director has asked for our help in providing support for new church plants as they reach into the homes of Icelanders. 

Mike Fitzgerald/Lindin Radio wants to train Bill on the recording equipment so he can fill in if needed during the weekly International program. You can listen online at www.lindin.is every Tuesday 9:00-11:00 PM Icelandic time, 5:00-7:00 PM EST.

We will be starting a Bible study for university students in our home. A cookout and Bible Study will take place once a month through the summer. In September we will host “Bible Study & Brownies” every week.

We have visited SALT Church twice on Sunday evenings. It is a God-centered Lutheran churche in the country. Iceland Project missionaries have invested much time and effort into this church over the years. We plan to have more involvement here in the coming months.

Relationships

Bill has coffee on a regular basis at one of the cafes. Pray for the staff of four that he is getting to know, and that he will be able to share the gospel with them.

We have exchanged pleasantries with most of our neighbors and have a few names but have not had a significant spiritual conversation with them. Pray for us that we will be very intentional to reach out to them.

Blessings

The greatest bakery and pizza place are in the same building and within walking distance of our current home. The bakery opened about 30 years ago by German immigrants. They use only whole grain and natural ingredients. Their date and spice bread is amazing. We may need a line item in our budget called "Bread for Bread.”

We secured long-term housing in a strategic area of Reykjavík; we move in early June. After a unique application process we were chosen out of at least 18 other families who also applied to rent the home. Bill signed the lease with the owner’s father, Ingi. He is not a believer but said he was very excited for the work we were doing in Iceland, trying to start Baptist churches. Bill wondered how he knew what we were doing but was thankful for the warm welcome. Ingi said Iceland needs to return to the teachings of Jesus. Bill agreed and invited him to a Bible study. We later discovered that Tómas, the owner of the home, found an IMB video that was made while we were at the ILC in Richmond for training. Tómas and his wife watched the video and were grateful for the work we are doing. It is amazing how our God uses so many different things to bring His will to purpose.

There are two great options of schools for Cami and Ben near our next home. They will both attend whichever school we choose, as both schools go to age 16. One is within a literal minute walk of our new home. We have heard from Icelanders that it is a great school and it would be with kids in our neighborhood.

Current prayer requests

Kennitala and Residency Permits to be granted by Icelandic Immigration, ASAP

Friendships for Cami, Ben, and Alli