I feel like I just looked up from my desk and realized that it is now April! Where did the time go? March has been a busy month of school work, meetings, conference events, and more school work! But in everything I have been experiencing the blessings of God the father and of Jesus Christ his son as I try my best to serve him and the people he has put in my path.
Thankfulness
This past month has been a very busy one with a lot of school work and readings to be done. I have had to work on and finish the assignments for my intensive course, as well as the ones for my other regular course. But now I write with all the work done, and with only a short exam between me and a complete semester. In this place I am thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to learn and read the resources which I have had this semester. Thankful for the interactions with fellow students and the professors. Thankful that as far as I can tell I am getting a B+ and an A+ in my courses for this semester.
This past month I also had the privileged to help out and serve with a 10 day youth mission trip. Now most of my students are incredibly introverted and so this event is a bit much for them, so instead I served for a day on my own. I was invited to lead a workshop on how to study the Bible and then invited to pray over a group of participants and each student in that group. When it comes to intercessory prayer I feel like I am still a novice, despite the fact that I have been doing it for years. But during this time I got to ask God for words and images for each student in this group, and then share them with the students. Whenever I do this the reactions are never the same, some are shy, and others seem indifferent, occasionally someone cries as the words make a deep and immediate impact. But I know from experience that God speaks in these moments, even if I do not see immediate results. However the results I get to see happen more clearly during my workshop as I lead Christian youth into reading their Bible, some for the first time. This year some students heard God speaking to them about forgiveness, or to let go of their anger. One student shared they felt God challenging them to use their gifts for others, another felt strongly an affirmation of her worth to God, and another said he felt encouraged to fight against his porn addiction. Each student left the room with a word from God for them that day. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of that and was able to bless these students in even such a small way.
Prayer
For the past few months I have been asking you to pray for a difficult situation between myself and some friends. In March the situation has improved in small ways but by and large it is still not a positive one. There is no huge actions or reactions of anger or hostility, but there is still little regard for one another. I have tried all I can think to do and the only option open seems to do nothing. It is an experience of powerlessness as I deeply desire reconciliation but that same desire does not seem to be reciprocated. What I have noticed however is that the more I pray for them the more God is opening my eyes to how He sees them and his love. It does not make the problems go away but He is helping me to handle it better until a more permanent change can be made. Please continue to pray for me and for God to help me in this situation and if possible to expedite it. Please also pray for my friends, that they would seek God and his desires for our relationship.
I spoke last month of pastoral reviews and while I believe the information has been collected I have not received it yet. I have been given a few points of improvement by my lead and I am endeavoring to work on them, but I must say I am fairly anxious about this process. As I reflect on this past year of ministry I cannot think of any glaring issues or failures on my part, but still I am anxious. I think perhaps it is because this is possibly the first position I have every been completely invested in. Please pray for God's peace about the review process, that I will be able to hear the blessings and the critiques in a constructive way. Please pray that God will continue to use my desires and efforts to impact and bless those around me for His good.
Finally as many of you know I have had on and off back problems for the past few years. Ever since I decided to "catch" a street lamp as a courier. My Chiropractor has told me that the best way to heal is to be active. Before I was serving in ministry this was easy as my job required me to be on my feet close to eight hours a day, but now I am on my butt most of the time. As a result I have been trying to get active more but am discouraged at my progress or lack thereof. Please pray for encouragement and healing as I seek to make healthy decisions for my life. That I would make good choices and be able to stick to them.
Thank you so much for your prayer and support. It means the world to me.
God Bless
- Stefan Klassen
