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When we arrived 6 months ago, the sun barely set before it rose again 2 hours later. Now, it’s getting dark around 2:45pm and if the sun shows it face, its not until nearly 9am.  I think this may be why Swedes are so mesmerized by candles.  

In fact, some people say the reason why so many Swedes flock to church on the First of Advent is to see the church all lit up with beautiful candles.  We experienced this amazing phenomenon this past Sunday as we attended Vallentuna Svenska Kyrkan's (the old state church) worship service.  We arrived 30 minutes early to service and could not find a place to sit except in a corner balcony. Praise God!!! The church was packed with as many as 400 people compared to the normal 50 people.  Throughout the service, we silently prayed that God would open hearts and draw His people back to Him.  Please pray with us that the message preached would resonate in the hearts of the people who came to see the lights and that they may experience the LIGHT of the world! Pray that this Christmas they would be transformed as they understand John 1:9: The true LIGHT that gives life to every man was coming into the world.

Please Pray For:

--Keegan as he has 4 wisdom teeth removed on December 21 and celebrates 30 years of life on January 12. (Cheer him up both days with tons of email!)

--The teens who will attend Club in Täby on Santa Lucia Day, Dec. 13th, that they would clearly understand the message of Jesus Christ. 

--The Christian adults in Vallentuna that we will be asking to join a committee to pray for and discern direction for Vallentuna. We plan to ask them just after we return to Sweden in January.

--Our trip to the USA--for safety in travel, for special time with our family and friends, for spiritual feeding while at the Young Life Conference Jan. 6-13, for our Pastoral Counseling class Jan. 13-21, for the kids in Sweden while we are away.

(Swedes still celebrate this holiday in their schools by dressing up like the picture and walking in a parade.  The red belt, represents blood as Saint Lucia, a young Italian women, was killed because she would not compromise her faith in Jesus Christ.)

God has blessed our ministry in Sweden by opening the doors to connect with teens and adults in Vallentuna.  We are so thankful for this chance to serve.

He is also at work in Uppsala (a university town just north of us) where our Swedish teammates Christi, Steffan, Elin, Patrik and Karro will lead their first Winter Camp ever February 15-19th. Young Life ministry in Uppsala reaches out primarily to immigrant teens from Arabic and Persian speaking countries like Iraq and Lebanon who have come to Sweden as refugees or immigrants.  This unique ministry connects with teens who cannot afford to come to camp if costs are not kept extremely low. Keegan and I will help lower the costs of camp by cooking meals and serving behind the scenes to enable the Uppsala team to share the Gospel with the kids they have formed friendships with. This is not something we had originally budgeted for, but through prayer, we feel called to support them in this effort to share Christ.

As you probably know, the dollar is not going as far as it used to.  Here, in Sweden, it is beginning to make a big impact for us.  Our income/ buying power has gone down by 10% since June.  However, rent, groceries, gasoline and utilities stay the same or increase.  As of last week, gasoline cost $7.20 a gallon.

Would you prayerfully and faithfully coming alongside us in a dramatic way this holiday season by donating financially to our YL account in a one time way?  Whether you are looking for that extra tax deduction, or just feeling the Lord's lead to give; consider a $250, $500, $1000 or any gift God is leading you to in either a one-time or on-going way.

To begin supporting our ministry financially either:  Click on Giving and designate Christ/ Sweden X2106  OR Send tax-deductible gifts to Young Life, P.O. Box 2920, Colorado Springs, CO

80901-9832.  In memo: Christ/Sweden x2106

We have the unusual opportunity to be in the United States for Christmas this year as we will be attending the Young Life All Staff Conference and taking a Pastoral Counseling class early in January.  

December 18-20: Chicago

December 21-28: Rockford, IL

December 29-31: Milwaukee, WI

January 1-5: Rockford, IL

January 6-13: Orlando, FL

January 13-21: Daytona Beach, FL

• We'll share stories and photos at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 827 16th Street, Rockford, IL Sunday morning December 23 between services.
• Swedish Fika and Ministry Update after the 10am worship service at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 2862 N. 53rd Street, Milwaukee, WI
• While in Rockford, you can reach us at (815)399-5331

We hope to see as many of you as we can! 

Again, thank you to those of you who have felt led to support this ministry with your prayer and finances! We could not do this without you.

With Love,

Keegan and Rebecca Christ

Keegan(at symbol)younglife.se Rebecca(atsymbol)younglife.se USA phone # in Sweden 815 315-0227

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, 1025 Lake Street, Melrose Park, Illinois 60160; Church: 708‑343‑1000, School: 708‑343‑5000

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