As Lula’s, Lillian’s, and my first year as missionaries draws to a close, we are so grateful for all of you who continue to pray for us and support us as we share the Gospel here in the Old World—in German and Persian (Farsi). But we have even more to be thankful for: While we LCMS, SELK, and Finnish missionaries have our “boots on the ground,” so to speak, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to individual Persian speakers across Germany, a brand-new opportunity to share the Gospel “from above” has presented itself. A task force consisting of Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens, Rev. Dr. Arthur Just, and yours truly (see pic, courtesy Trinity Berlin) recently met in that city to kickstart a project in which, with God’s help, we hope to create and broadcast Persian-language catechetical videos on key teachings of Christianity and distribute them via the Internet to Persian speakers worldwide. In collaboration with various partner churches in the ILC (International Lutheran Council), our goal is to share the love of Christ with the people groups of Central Asia—including Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—in their native tongues. Sharing the Gospel and hopefully expanding the curriculum to include additional topics of Christian teaching is only the first of several steps envisioned in this multi-layered strategy. Please pray for this wonderful project to bear much fruit, which also adds a brand-new meaning to the closing verses of Martin Luther’s “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come: “My heart for very joy must leap; My lips no more can silence keep. I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradlesong: Glory to God in highest heav’n, Who unto us His Son has giv’n! Whole angels sing with pious mirth A glad new year to all the earth.” Merry Christmas to all, as we celebrate the arrival of God in the flesh over 2,000 years ago, who brought forgiveness of sins and everlasting life to everyone around the world—past, present, and future!
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