SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

What a Difference a Couple of Days Makes

This is a view from our window in Prague. The top photo was taken a few days ago. The bottom photo was taken this morning 8:30 AM Prague time. What a difference a couple of days make!

March 16, 1996 We Landed in Prague

     I can't believe I let it slip by but 13 years ago, yesterday March 16th, Sherry, Philip and Jonathan and I arrived in Prague. I remember the day we arrived like it was yesterday, it was raining with mixed snow...a cold Central Europe day. And yesterday...the same weather! Somethings never change. But Prague is still a beautiful city...that hasn't changed either. In my recent email newsletter (Spotlight Central Europe) I highlighted some of the changes that have taken place in Europe in the last 13 years and how they impact us as missionaries. But in the end, it's still all about the call of God. That's another thing that never changes. If you'd like to receive the latest Spotlight Central Europe, drop me a quick note at: spotlightcentraleurope@gmail.com. I will send you a copy ASAP. Also, take a moment to sign up for the Spotlight Central Europe Newsletter. I will not bother you with loads of emails or forwards, just occasional updates on our life, ministry and happenings in Central Europe. You can find a link on the column on the right.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Off to the Airport and Back to Europe

    Sherry and I are heading out the door to return to Europe. We've been in the USA since June and are looking forward to our return back to Prague. This return is a bit different than the others; this time we're going back without the boys. And so, Sherry and I begin a new adventure. As Sam said to Frodo (loosely quoted, of course): When we take this next step we will be further away from home then we've ever been. Thanks for your prayers and friendship and your support. OFF TO THE AIRPORT!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio at the World Missions Summit. Twenty minutes ago we crossed over into the new year. I hope that you will have a great 2009 and that you will be blessed in all that you do. Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009

Dear Friends,
     I am writing this post just 10 minutes after midnight on December 25th, 2008, and though many around the world are already up and about this Christmas morning, allow us to be among the first to wish you a Merry Christmas.
     Sherry, Philip, Jonathan and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and Happy New Year 2009. We pray that during this Christmas season you will find joy and rest, and in the coming New Year we pray that God will bless you and your families.
     Thank you for all that you do; for your support, love and friendship. We look forward to 2009 with great anticipation knowing that this may be the year He returns.

Sincerely yours,

Jim, Sherry, Philip and Jonathan Sabella

Europe Strategic Planning Session / Pentecostal Europe Missions Conference--Thessalonki, Greece

  

   Sherry and I just returned from from an Europe wide strategic planning meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. Thirty Three Assemblies of God Europe missionaries met together to pray, brainstorm and begin the process of formulating a strategic five year plan for impacting Europe with the Gospel. Our first step in our strategic plan...calling all Assemblies of God Europe Missionaries to 100 days of prayer, starting January 1, 2009. We hope that you'll pray with us. Europe needs Jesus!

    Following our strategic planning sessions we attended the Pentecostal Europe Missions conference. Missions leaders from all over Europe gathered together to pray and plan on reaching  Europe. We were honored to be a part of this conference. John Palmer, General Secretary of the Assemblies of God USA was the guest speaker for the conference.

Harrisburg First Assembly of God Missions Convention

    The First Assembly of God in Harrisburg, PA held their annual missions convention on November 9th AM and PM. I spoke at AM service. The PM service was missions banquet. That evening we took an offering to help complete the Warsaw Theological Seminary in Warsaw, Poland and received $14,000.00 in the offering. In June 2010 First Assembly will bring a construction team to Warsaw to help put the finishing touches on the new building.

Buddy Barrel Visits Assembly of God Church in Cresco, Pennsylvania

    Sherry and I were speaking at at Light House World Prayer Center, an Assemblies of God Church in Cresco, Pennsylvania, when a surprise visitor showed up in the service. Buddy Barrel walk into the service with the welcoming applause of adults and children alike. Pastor Charles and Pastor Dawn greeted Buddy Barrel and shared about how the children in the church have been giving by filling up there barrels with coins.
      Most Assemblies of God people know who Buddy Barrel is but for those of you who may not be a part of the Assemblies of God or who don't know Buddy Barrel let me give you some background. Buddy Barrel is the mascot of BGMC which stands for Boy and Girls Missionary Challenge. BGMC is the missions education emphasis program for children in the Assemblies of God. It provides resources to help teach kids about missions. It supports our missionaries in their fields of ministry in America and around the world.
      Why a Barrel? When BGMC started in 1949, supplies were shipped by boat to the missionaries in barrels. Barrels were used because they could be sealed tight and made waterproof. This way the supplies would not get wet or ruined. As a result, Buddy Barrel was created. Small wooden barrels were designed for the children to save their coins in. These barrels have now changed to larger yellow plastic barrels. Kids are encouraged to save their money in these barrels and turn their money in once a month.
      BGMC has sent thousands of dollars to Central Europe missionaries to help purchase ministry supplies that relate directly to evangelism and discipleship.
      It was great to see Buddy and the response of the kids. Thank you Buddy Barrel, BGMC and all the kids for helping us share the Good News in Central Europe.

Valley Forge Christian Collage Missions Chapel

    This past week Sherry and I had the honor of being at Valley Forge Christian College, in Phoenixville, PA. I spoke in the morning missions chapel and both Sherry and I spoke in 2 missions classes. We also had lunch with Dr. Meyer, President of VFCC, and his cabinet members.
   It was a special day for Sherry and me, not only because VFCC is our al ma mater but our son Philip is attending VFCC. It was a thrill for me to stand behind the pulpit and look down at the student body and see seated among them was our son Philip. He is a senior at VFCC and will be graduating in the Spring of 2009. For more info about VFCC visit: www.vfcc.edu

Supporting Europe Missionaries: An Email from a Pastor in New Jersey

   

     As a Pastor I am a observer of current events at home and around the world. One day as I was online reading the news I saw an article about how poorly the dollar was faring against the Euro. The article was referring to the effect on the tourism trade in Europe and the United States. I began to consider the burden this would be to our missionaries in Europe. They are not vacationers but live there full-time, ministering and raising their families. I thought about loosing 40% of my income and wasn't sure what I would do.
      As I continued to read I felt the Lord's nudge. "Why not increase the support for the missionaries you support in Europe by 40%." At my next board meeting I presented this idea to the board and they unanimously approved it on a Tuesday Night. No one knew about the decision other than the board.
      The very next Sunday morning in the offering someone gave enough money to our missions fund to cover the increase for the whole next year. Although I don't know who gave it I do know it was none of the Board Members. By taking this step of faith to be a blessing to our missionaries God met us and showed his hand of provision. I tell this story to encourage other churches to take a step of faith and see what God can and will do.