OUTREACH EUROPE - 08 APRIL 2020
Warmest greetings from the mountain village of Le Lieu, where today the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the daffodils are nodding their heads in approval..! It has been a long winter with snowstorms and icy roads. But at last - 'Spring seems to have Sprung'..!
However, because of the deadly Coronavirus we are now in total lockdown..! In fact Switzerland is one of ten countries most affected by Covid-19. Here are some of the latest details:
The Coronavirus is now worldwide. Millions of people are in crisis - but we are in Christ..! We know that our future lies secure in our Heavenly Father's keeping. And because of His love we can live confidently one day at a time. The challenge of every new day motivates us to follow our Lord and Master more courageously. What we decide to do each day will determine the eventual outcome of our lives. Jeremiah reminds us in the Book of Lamentations 3/22-24 that…"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I will hope in Him."
Because of the lockdown our program for 2020 has been changed. Meetings had been arranged in a number of French-speaking Swiss Churches from the beginning of the year right through till the end of April. In May we had hoped to travel to 'Bonnie Scotland' to see family and friends and visit a few churches. Then during the month of June we had planned to have further meetings in Spain. Invitations for ministry have also been received from Luxembourg, Italy and Poland. All these activities have of necessity been postponed until a later date.
As we approach Easter, sadly because of the Coronavirus, no public celebrations can be held. But nevertheless we can rejoice from the depths of our hearts in the knowledge that "HE IS RISEN"..! Isaiah reminds us in ch.53:5…"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
With this beautiful verse in mind in 1865 Elvina Mabel Hall - a Methodist believer - penned the words of a triumphant hymn entitled "JESUS PAID IT ALL" The fourth verse says…
"And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat...
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."
Your help down through the years is greatly appreciated and we value your love, friendship and continued interest in our ministry on mainland Europe. We are especially grateful for your prayers on our behalf.
May the Lord richly bless you and...“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope..!” (Romans 15/13)
Yours in God’s Great Love,
Ken and Jocelyne.
Ken & Jocelyne Acheson, Les Terreaux 2, 1345 LE LIEU, Switzerland. Tel: +41(0)21 843 39 83 Mobile: +41(0)78 620 57 95 E-mail: kenjo@sunrise.ch Based at the Pentecostal Church, Parkburn Road, KILSYTH, Scotland and in fellowship with the British AOG. Reg.Charity No: SCO11321
However, because of the deadly Coronavirus we are now in total lockdown..! In fact Switzerland is one of ten countries most affected by Covid-19. Here are some of the latest details:
- More than 22'000 people have tested positive and 800 have died (including a neighbour.) The Vallée de Joux - the area where we live - has been badly affected.
- The government has issued recommendations to all citizens to stay at home especially those over the age of 65 and anyone suffering from heart-trouble or diabetes. As we are well past the 65 age limit, we are very grateful for the love and attention of our friends. Every week Myriam, Jocelyne's youngest sister, drives the 20 km round trip to the Coop and stocks up our fridge with food..!
- There is a total ban on all private and public events. Hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, sports clubs, cinemas and churches have all been closed. Only supermarkets and pharmacies have permission to remain open. Schools and universities are closed nationwide. Visits to family and friends are not allowed. Police and soldiers are ensuring that these rules are obeyed. A hefty fine can be imposed for any form of civil disobedience..!
The Coronavirus is now worldwide. Millions of people are in crisis - but we are in Christ..! We know that our future lies secure in our Heavenly Father's keeping. And because of His love we can live confidently one day at a time. The challenge of every new day motivates us to follow our Lord and Master more courageously. What we decide to do each day will determine the eventual outcome of our lives. Jeremiah reminds us in the Book of Lamentations 3/22-24 that…"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I will hope in Him."
Because of the lockdown our program for 2020 has been changed. Meetings had been arranged in a number of French-speaking Swiss Churches from the beginning of the year right through till the end of April. In May we had hoped to travel to 'Bonnie Scotland' to see family and friends and visit a few churches. Then during the month of June we had planned to have further meetings in Spain. Invitations for ministry have also been received from Luxembourg, Italy and Poland. All these activities have of necessity been postponed until a later date.
As we approach Easter, sadly because of the Coronavirus, no public celebrations can be held. But nevertheless we can rejoice from the depths of our hearts in the knowledge that "HE IS RISEN"..! Isaiah reminds us in ch.53:5…"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
With this beautiful verse in mind in 1865 Elvina Mabel Hall - a Methodist believer - penned the words of a triumphant hymn entitled "JESUS PAID IT ALL" The fourth verse says…
"And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat...
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."
Your help down through the years is greatly appreciated and we value your love, friendship and continued interest in our ministry on mainland Europe. We are especially grateful for your prayers on our behalf.
May the Lord richly bless you and...“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope..!” (Romans 15/13)
Yours in God’s Great Love,
Ken and Jocelyne.
Ken & Jocelyne Acheson, Les Terreaux 2, 1345 LE LIEU, Switzerland. Tel: +41(0)21 843 39 83 Mobile: +41(0)78 620 57 95 E-mail: kenjo@sunrise.ch Based at the Pentecostal Church, Parkburn Road, KILSYTH, Scotland and in fellowship with the British AOG. Reg.Charity No: SCO11321
