| I thought it was time to give an update on how things are going over here in Lausanne. The end of this month marks the end of the leadership development course and the start of my full-time involvement as a staff. It is a really exciting time as I get to step into full engagement with the creative media team. We have begun filming and editing some of the first videos we are going to be releasing when we launch Life with the Lord in the very near future. Life with the Lord is a new youtube channel we are starting with videos exploring spiritual topics, studying the Bible, and devotional videos. Our heart is to bring encouragement and biblical resources to the younger generation in a more engaging format. More and more young people are turning to the internet for answers on all topics of life including spiritual ones. We seek to be a resource and help to provide answers to questions like “Where should I start reading in the Bible?” or “What does the Bible say about {fill in the blank}.” All of the filming we have been doing has really instilled a new level of excitement for the project. Seeing something, I have dreamed, hoped, and prayed for come to life and become a reality is wonderful. I have gotten to work with some really amazing people on different devotionals and video topics and am learning so much in the process. I was surprised at how much the vision of what we are doing has resonated with people and how much the community has rallied around it and sought to participate with it. As soon as it launches I will be sure to let you all know.On another note, I am sure all of you have at least heard about the Covid-19 virus in Europe. Currently, things in Switzerland are in a bit of a lockdown. The government has banned any gatherings of people larger than 10, 5 if it is outdoors. The base here has stopped all unnecessary travel even regionally, and measures are being taken practically to help stop the virus. We are not walking in fear but are trying to be wise and follow the instructions of the Swiss government. As a community, we have have had to make massive changes to the way we function, not having more than 10 people in the same room at the same time where before meetings of 70-100 people were an almost daily occurrence. This has lead us to spread out in small groups all across the campus. We have also had to stop our local outreaches in the city due to the virus, and have placed that time into intercession. Unfortunately, the photography ministry circle is also having to halt all our upcoming outreaches as well. I am a bit disappointed we had to bring things to a close for now, but I have peace about it being the right thing to do. I would invite you to join us in prayer for this situation, specifically for wisdom and creativity surrounding how to continue our different ministries through this time. Our God is so much bigger than a virus and I have faith He is at work even in the midst of this. Personally, I have really been pressing in and praying “God I fully trust you in this. I choose to rest in your peace and surrender my worries to you. I know you are at work and moving, give me understanding of how I can be a part of it in such a time as this.” |
| I have also received a really cool personal confirmation about my being here. In early February, I used my skills to set up a system for doing high-quality video live streams for the base. I originally did it for one of the graduations that we were having. It was a big success and we had 185 friends and family tune in to watch. I thought that it had served its purpose and that was that. Now, with the restrictions about gathering in groups, our community is spread out in little pockets all over campus the leadership was looking for a good way to be able to still get people together even if it is just remotely. The solution? Live streams to connect all the scattered groups for times of worship and intercession. That is where everything clicked. The graduation was not the end goal, it was preparation for the situation we are now facing. This further underlined to me that my being here now is not an accident or a coincidence. The scripture from Ester 4 came to mind, “For such a time as this.” This revelation has been such an encouragement through these times. Even in the midst of all the change and shake-ups, I know I am exactly where I need to be and that God has placed me here for a purpose. As always, thank you for coming along with me in this adventure of faith, Ben |