Ministry

Our bi-weekly spiritual gathering is called Impressions.  We are working through the Gary Thomas’ Sacred Pathways.  This Sunday night, we will practice loving God through solitude and simplicity - asceticism.  Our other bi-weekly gathering is called Expressions.  It is more of a low-threshold time to invite those to our community center for the first time.  Last Sunday we had a You-Tube Night where we shared memorable broadcast events and significant videos. 

New

In addition to the regular rhythm of Impressions, Expressions, Medvandrarna, Faith Factory (youth), and football nights, our team members have initiated a number of “out in the community” groups.   One is a wine and discussion night, another is an evening in the Sauna - I’d say cool but the latter is anything but! Finally, they’ve begun a women’s breakfast as well.   

Team-Building Weekend

We recently had a great team-building weekend with several members of Christian Associates from around Europe.  While it was a busy time, it was an excellent time to focus, affirm, and set goals. 

Thanksgiving

In two weeks, we will have two new families over to our house for Thanksgiving!  It’s a great event to reach out to our contacts.  They come curious and hungry and leave satisfied and with a new perspective on thankfulness. 

Family

In our recent update, we mentioned some issues that have been challenging to us.  We would appreciate your prayers.  However, we do have some good news in a few areas. 

My (Luke’s) teaching is going great!  It’s great fun and fulfilling.  Kirsten continues to wow the neighborhood with her cooking, hold us all together, and has flown way past me in her Swedish!  Jonathan recently won the last two competitions he competed in.  This weekend he competes in Stockholm against all those in Sweden.  It will be a tough competition! Lilia continues to make great friends and to grow in leaps and bounds (literally) with her gymnastics.  Interestingly enough, so does Owen!  He’s just had his first couple of competitions. He also excels at football (soccer) and making people laugh.  Finally Oliver, the one who comes to all these activities, is still the burgeoning artist and dancer. 

It's wonderful when God surprises us, isn't it? Before the summer, life was so busy that it seemed difficult to even breathe. While life has not slowed down very much, something is different. God seems to be in the neighborhood.

I know this might be a strange statement; still that's how it feels. In Sweden, one of the most secular societies in the world, it's hard to imagine this. There are very few surprises here. God seems to be buried under a blanket of materialism, denial, depression, and loneliness. It's much like being in the middle of a rainy day - no end in sight. Of course, we have known that God has been there theoretically. Yet until now, we've not seen the clouds parting and sunshine envelop the landscape.

We've been having some weeks of passing storms, torrential rains, wind, and darkness. However, punctuating these are brilliant "sun storms". Several times a day there is a bright revival. It's not unusual in Gothenburg to see a woman on her way to the market buffeted by the wind and rain. It is however unusual to see her bathed in glowing warm light at the same time. Everything and everyone glistens. As we scratch our heads, the kids point out the multiple rainbows.

  In the middle of these storms, Elvis has shown up. Don't worry, the Swedish language hasn't made me too crazy. Not "the King". No, Elvis is a feline who came sauntering up our road a few weeks ago. A short-hair, has four legs, black and white fur, and a purr that is audibly heard.  He's a charmer with incredible affection, people skills, and loyalty. Named by our neighbor, he spends his days sleeping on our porch, getting food from down the road, and rolling around under the loving hands of our children.

The reason I mention Elvis is that we are beginning to expect the unexpected. Surprise is becoming the norm. Not just in our neighborhood but in our project. I won't go into detail now but unique events and "coincidences" are putting shivers down our spines. They suggest that God is either trying to get our attention or we have our eyes and ears more open. Maybe both! It's an exciting and messy time. We don't know what coat to wear out each day, who's going to come up the drive, or what will happen next.

For now, we wanted to say hello, let you know we are doing well and we'll keep you updated.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke & Kirsten Meisel

Ministry

Last weekend, we spent a few hours practicing a special spiritual exercise.  We are studying Gary Thomas’ Sacred Pathways and have spent each Impressions (our bi-weekly “church” service) practicing different ways of approaching God.  Last time it was meeting God through the senses.  This time it was meeting God in nature.  Together, we walked out to a beautiful lake, grilled hotdogs and bread, and spent some great time with God and each other.  It was a marvelous time! Here’s a look. 

Looks fun, doesn't it?

This term, we have a very busy schedule.  As we have some excellent structures in place and many missional contacts, we’ve been working to provide more opportunities to invite them to become part of our community.  Here are just a few of them:

• A bi-weekly Sunday gathering
• A bi-weekly Sunday social event
• Frequent events watching soccer together
• A bi-weekly youth event
• Weekly Saturday-morning outreach
• Quarterly marriage and pre-marriage courses
• An annual Serve the City week
• We would really appreciate your partnership in prayer as we move through this term!

Summer

How was our summer?  Well, thanks for asking! :-)  Surprisingly (again) it went quite well.  We had a great time with my parents and my youngest brother Seth.  We traveled to Stockholm and enjoyed a beautiful week. We also had many weeks at home.  Overall, they went well.  Towards the end of the summer, we had a nice trip to Hungary for our annual conference which was extremely encouraging!

Kirsten & I

This term I will continue to work mainly with Faith Factory, making missional contacts, playing and watching soccer, and teaching English part-time.  The biggest change for me is that I’ve been find time in my schedule for a concentrated time of prayer, scripture, and worship.  It’s done wonders for me, my sanity, and I think for my family.   :-)

Kirsten continues to have her hands full with running kids around, holding down the fort, keeping us fed, and doing a million other things.  In addition to this, she has begun contributing in our team more having finished Swedish school.   

Kids

• Jonathan continues to both do well and struggle, a real picture of the sunlight amidst the storm.   We will elaborate in a future email.  For now, we would appreciate your prayers for him and for us.
• Lilia is enjoying life as always.  Busy with school, gymnastics, and swimming, she is really starting to mature into a beautiful young woman. 
• Owen continues to love life as well.  Kirsten has been working with him extensively and it is starting to really show.  He is constantly reading things around him.  He also plays soccer, does gymnastics, and swims. 
• Oliver continues to try to keep up with everyone.  Biking, coloring, doing IPad…you name it…he’s always in the middle of things. 

We covet your prayers!  Thank you!

Community – pray that we would honor God with our concerted attempts to gather our missional contacts together to form a stable community of spiritual seekers and Jesus-followers.  

Team – pray that as our team grows we can continue to work well together and value people as much as programs. Pray that we will find time for each other in our busy schedules as well. 

Family – pray that we would be filled with God’s strength, patience, in working together as a family.  Please pray especially for Jonathan and our relationship with him.

Marriage - pray for Kirsten and I this term to be able to focus on God and on each other.