"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined" (Isaiah 9:2).
This passage refers to the condition of the people who were first favored with the preaching of Jesus in the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Today, in the same way, all those who walk in darkness and in great danger need the gospel and, when it touches the cities and the hearts of the people, the light of the gospel comes bringing joy and peace. Let us pray that this light will shine in our hearts and that the world is impacted unto salvation.
It is a joy to share again with you the work that the Lord continues to do, first in my life and then through my life. I can't stop thanking God for the prayer support that I’ve been receiving from all my friends and partners. I have been able to experience God's hand at work in my life, strengthening me to move forward both in my personal life as well as in the ministry.
At Oasis Center, we have started our devotionals focused on Christmas. This year we followed the YouVersion app's devotional entitled "10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live all Year". It has been enriching to learn from the characters who were involved at the birth of Jesus and to take their experiences as lessons for our lives. The people who attend the Center are participating more and more with their comments. It is amazing to see how the light of the gospel is shining in their lives. It was also a great challenge for me to oversee this ministry for a week due to some travel reasons of the person in charge. I also was able to participate at the Christmas Market representing the ministry to which the Oasis Center belongs called Breaking Chains Network (www.breakingchainsnetwork) where we put on sale the handmade jewelry made by the girls of the Center.
During the past month, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting organized by the Pentecostal European Missions (PEF) where they shared the missionary work that is taking place in Europe. God is moving in this continent! I was also able to meet some beautiful sisters working in Pakistan and Kosovo announcing the light of the Gospel in those lands.
Another great challenge I was able to experience was to lead, for the first time, the every-two-week church meeting (ConnectGroup), as well as deliver my first message on Sunday. It was both challenging and rewarding to be able to start functioning in the ministry that God has put into my hands.
The desire of the Bishop of Belgium and missionary Bill Schwartz, is to see the birth of a Hispanic church, touching the large Hispanic community in Antwerp. During the Sunday I shared the Word of God, a family and two Latinos expressed their interest in being a part of the church.
This month, I moved into my apartment and began to walk by myself in my life and ministry. Since the departure of my husband to heaven and during all these months, God has sent to my path true "angels" who have shown their care and love for me. My heart is deeply grateful for the men and women who have helped me and been with me, accompanying me in the struggles I have faced to get to this moment. To God be all the Glory!
Prayer Requests:
- For wisdom and grace as I must transport from Paris some furniture that we left in a warehouse since our last term in Paris.
- That my adaptation to this new time of living by myself may be assimilated correctly without affecting my motivation to continue serving the Lord.
- For the birth of the Hispanic group of which I will be in charge, and that it can be developed into a church in the future.
- For the end of the administrative procedures concerning Mauricio’s affairs and for the beginning of the procedures concerning myself in front of the Belgian government (social status, tax declaration, medical insurance, driver's license, etc.).
My desire is that as this year ends, it takes with it the storms that many of us have experienced, and that our faith in God's sovereignty and goodness will remain as an anchor. Regardless of the sorrow and pain we face, God remains in control of our lives.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022
In the love of Christ,
Lulu Salazar
Your missionary in Belgium
