I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

Over the past 10 months or so, we have been asked numerous questions regarding our work during the Covid-19 restrictions. So, for this newsletter we will answer some of those questions as best we can.

Question: How have you been affected by the restrictions? Are you still able to work?

Answer:

There is always plenty of work! Most of our travels and public events have, of course, been cancelled and we are working from home full-time. So that is a very significant change. However, the work of writing Sunday School curriculum, children’s devotionals, writing, developing and recording songs is on-going. Several new CD projects are in the works, and we continue to work on song videos to post online. We were asked to submit a song to Golden West Radio during the Christmas season, so getting that recorded, mixed and mastered kept us busy for a while. Also, Mark and Jason each have several new projects in the works, including a few new Low German coloring books, a Bible Study for young adults, and a Low German guitar lesson series for YouTube!

Question: Have you been able to do any travelling at all since the restrictions began?

Answer:

Yes! We made one ministry trip in the fall when restrictions eased up somewhat. We had been invited a year ago to do a tour of Northern Alberta, and praise God, we were able to do that tour. We visited three churches, together with Andrew and Deanna, to do a series of services in each of them. It was so good to be doing what we believe we are called to do and we praise God for giving us that opportunity. Besides that, we were able to sing at a few local events before restrictions increased again. We also made one trip to Abbotsford, B.C. during the summer to attend a seminar put on by Multi- Nation Missions Foundation.

Question: How has this affected your finances?

Answer:

First we want to say that we are so grateful to God for His faithful provision. Things have been tightening up and we have had to be careful to prioritize and plan our projects so we don’t overwhelm the account. We have been able to keep on working, but we have not been able to print ministry resources for most of the year due to the lack of funds. Naturally, the level of support decreases when you can’t hold fundraisers, or when your monthly supporters have their own financial struggles. There are also decreases in the sales of our products. It has certainly come with its challenges, but we are doing our best to be faithful stewards of the funds that are entrusted to us.

Question: What have been the positive aspects of this time?

Answer:

More time at home means more time with the family, and that is always a positive! Also, we have been able to gain a bit of rest, which was sometimes in short supply during very busy travel times. Besides that, we are working hard on the new projects, trying to get ahead with the Sunday School curriculum, and finishing up the last few details of our home recording studio. We are also trying to get super organized in all the various aspects of our life so that when things pick up again, we will be ready to roll!

Question: What are your expectations and goals for 2021?

Answer:

Assuming restrictions ease up soon, we are facing a potentially busy year! We have several international invitations, besides the usual festival bookings every summer. If enough funding comes in, we plan to release several new albums, together with Jason, Mark, Andrew and Deanna. Book four of the children’s devotionals, as well as a new coloring book, should be heading to the printer in the next week or two. The fourth book of the Sunday School curriculum has been printed, and we are hoping to print the teacher’s manual and the activity pack shortly. But this is all in the Lord’s hands, and we await His timing, leading and provision.

Question: How can we help?

Answer:

First, please keep lifting us up in prayer! That is most important. We need God’s wisdom and guidance in the many decisions we have to make. Additionally, several of our family members struggle with ongoing health issues, and would appreciate your prayers.

Secondly, if you have any fundraising ideas that can be done during this time of restriction, we sure would appreciate you passing them on to us! If you know of anyone who would benefit from our products, you could consider recommending them to check them out.

And last but not least, you can feel free to donate to the mission as you are able and as the Lord leads.

We thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement. We say it often because it’s true, we could not do this without you! We pray you all have a blessed 2021!