As I think back over the past year I am truly amazed by where God has taken me. Thanks to all of you I am able to be living and working in Europe trying to build God's kingdom here. I am also amazed at the real and miraculous ways God has intervened in my life. I am convinced that this is where I am supposed to be and this is what I am supposed to be doing. As I look ahead I am filled with hope that we can create a strong church planting movement in Europe and see the churches here filled not emptied, but there is still a lot of work to be done and we have a long road in front of us.
Hopefully all of you got and read my October letter. I experienced a series of miracles when I arrived here in Holland. When I returned I felt right at home thanks to the community of Crossroads International Church who welcomed me back to The Hague with open arms and lots of help. If anything I have had to make sure to schedule nights to myself, because there is always something going on or someone to have a good conversation with. The church here has become a real family to me.
Along with Crossroads I have witnessed God working in my life in concrete ways. It has been confirming and faith building to see that God is providing for my physical needs here in Holland. Providing an amazing place to stay, a place beyond my wildest dreams. Providing me with an amazing group of friends that I can rely on like family and providing for me ways to share my faith and engage in discussions with people about God. As I look back on the last couple months there is not doubt in my mind that I am doing what God wants me to do and I am where God wants me to be.
I am enjoying the work I am doing, but we are in a real time of transition and severe budget cuts, as is everyone else. The part that makes this challenging is that I am new, my boss is new, and our C.F.O. is new so we are all learning the ropes at the same time. I feel as though I have been taking crash courses in international law, business and culture all at once. It has taken a lot of work, but that is what I like. I don't come home completely drained at the end of a day, but rather energized to learn more so that Christian Associates (CA) can run more efficiently.
There are challenges in the new year, my visa, our finances as an organization and personally, our systems and structure, these are all problems I will be helping to solve in the coming year. As I look ahead I am encouraged. We have made progress since I have arrived. We have a growing pipeline of people who want to be involved in church planting in Europe. This is all very exciting and encouraging to me and gives me great hope for what God is going to do this next year.
I wanted to update all of you on Loren. Loren is the gentleman who showed up at the Crossroads office my first day here and accepted Christ. Loren is doing well, his 6 year old son who is fighting cancer is doing better, he still has a long way to go, but progresses each day. Loren and I have met a couple of times and Loren has brought me on a writing group that he organizes. I have really enjoyed getting to know Loren and seeing how God is working in his life. Please keep Loren in your prayers, he is in a difficult position, with his wife not being a Christian and not being open to going to church. I am hoping that in the New Year Loren and I will go through the Alpha Course together to help him get a better understanding of the Christian faith.
I want to thank you all for your financial support and your prayers. I know times have been tough for everyone economically and that makes my gratitude even greater for your sacrifice, know that you are helping to build God's Kingdom. I continue to pray for you all and have appreciated all the support and encouragement that you have given me. Have a Happy New Year.
Blessings to you all, Jason Cutshall
