Developing Horizons Magazine (2).pdf Winter 2016 | Page 11

wonderful opportunity to reach not only the refugees but women of all nations. Nineteen women came -- fifteen non-believers, including an atheist, a New Ager and five of the Muslims refugees from the Heim. The game of giving and taking gifts was a new experience for most of these women of different languages and cultures but their laughter filled the atmosphere with joy. At the closing Kathleen gave a short, but very powerful message about the great gift of God that can never be taken away from us. Bessie's husband is still in Syria--they have no communication and are not sure when he will join them. As we sat visiting Bessie, Rosa, a teacher, joined us. She, along with her daughter, waits to hear from a missing husband. Denied papers to stay in Austria for the third time, he is said to be missing, but desperate people do desperate things and others believe he is “hiding” to keep from deportation. The annual women’s outreach known as the “Christmas Tea” has become a special occasion in the community and a Before leaving for the journey home, we had the privilege of meeting the family of Ava’s first convert. Nora is a young girl of seven whose family has since moved to New York but returned to Austria for Christmas. No one can say the effect of living out the gospel and sowing seeds in the midst of such darkness, but we have this confidence that the Light of God’s presence fills and surrounds us. Those that serve are the salt of the earth and the light that cannot be hidden. God Himself will continue to bring forth the increase. On an over-crowded inflatable boat, knowing her time had come, the wife slipped over the side of the boat into the water and birthed a baby. 11