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Our family began deputation on March 4, 2008. For 32 consecutive months, we have traveled across the United States and Canada, sharing "Finland" and the vision that God has given us. Many of you have shared your hearts, finances, and prayers with us as you accepted a burden from the Lord for Finland. For this, we are humbled and grateful. We were privileged to witness miracles, signs, and wonders as God allowed us to be tools used for His glory. We shall never forget the things we experienced, the friendships we gained, nor the grand sights we saw across our beloved USA. We are also grateful for the Lord's protection and safekeeping as our van carried us over nearly 130K miles. Numerous incidents that occurred during our travel proved God's miraculous intervention on our behalf. He is truly our Keeper and Protector!
So, what does the horizon hold for our family now that this deputation is over?
We are focusing on tying up our "loose ends" so that a quick departure for Finland is possible once our permits are finalized. Mark is tweaking our evangelism plan and also preparing training materials. Glenda is completing a compiled revision of our Growing with God books, the children's doctrinal foundation curriculum that we published in 2001 and 2003. She is also working to stay abreast of Team Finland. Candace is working hard on her Junior year of high school, and Miranda is our right-hand assistant with computer projects. Of course, there is the seemingly never-ending packing job that goes on, and on...
And What About Those Elusive Permits?
Mark spoke with the Finnish Embassy in Helsinki, Finland, about our residence permits just this week. All they will tell us is, "They are in process." We ask that concerted prayers for a positive and quick answer be sent Heaven-ward. And, if one would happen to know a Finnish lawyer, we would gladly welcome that information as well!
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." I Peter 2:6
To be confounded means "to be mixed or blended in disorder; perplexed; abashed; dismayed; put to shame and silenced; astonished." We are certainly none of these! God is in control. He would not place a calling on a family, then confuse them - it is simply not His way! Therefore, we choose to rest in His timing. We thank you in advance for your prayers and faithfulness to His vision for a country that desperately needs to hear the Truth proclaimed upon its soil.
"I will say of Jehovah, my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust." Psalm 91:2
Finland
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| Flag of Finland |
Republic of Finland/Suomen Tasavalta/Republiken Finland
Area Coordinator: Timothy C. Olson
Superintendent/President:
Population: 5300000
Area: 130,560 sq. mi.
Capital: Helsinki
Languages: Finnish, Swedish (both official)
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Formerly a part of the Swedish kingdom and later an autonomous Grand Duchy in the Russian Empire, Finland has been an independent republic since 1919. Finland is eleventh on the 2006 United Nations Human Development Index and ranked as the sixth happiest nation in the world by a subjective independent scientific study. The Republic of Finland is a member state of the United Nations and the European Union.
Please continue to PRAY for Finland and the Alphin family, soon to be resident missionaries on location in Finland.
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