****THESE EMAILS ARE SENSITIVE FOR SECURITY REASONS*******PLEASE DO NOT PUBLICLY SHARE WITHOUT PERMISSION*** If you no longer wish to receive this email, feel free to unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email, but please do not mark as spam. Thanks! Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

November has flown by and December is upon us! The “beautiful winter weather” everyone kept promising us has finally arrived and it definitely lives up to the hype! With the temperature generally hovering somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees, it is indeed beautiful. The city of Dubai has suddenly come to life with cruise ship tourists, late night picnickers at Safa Park, and off-roading vehicles on their way to the desert. 

As activity has picked up in the city, opportunities on campus have increased and expanded as well. “Joy” continues to surprise us with her excitement and determination to talk to fellow students about what they believe. Recently, she nonchalantly told us how she took a car trip with her university track teammates and soon started talking with them about the gospel. “In the car, I was with a Muslim, an Agnostic, and a Catholic. I asked them what they thought about life after death." She had come away from the interaction discouraged because none of them seemed to be attracted to the gospel, but we were able to encourage her for her continued faithfulness in bringing conversations to eternal matters! 

Making a Home Together

November marked the beginning of making a home of our own together (and Brittany receiving her resident's visa and Emirates ID!!). Having a space to dwell in peace, to work on projects, to eat meals together and to enjoy one another–this has been a massive means of grace to us. One of the best parts about having a home is the ability to finally have people over. Various students have been walking over to our place to hang out, cook, talk, and study God’s Word. We’ve also been able to have different members of our church over for dinner. We were even able to have a game night for students from a nearby university! The dream we shared when we first met–to create a home with an open door and a full table–is day-by-day becoming a reality. It's exciting!

Meet Ivan

A couple months ago, Todd noticed a young Filipino guy sitting in front of us at church. After engaging him in conversation, Todd invited him to join us for a viewing of American Gospel that the church was hosting that night. He caught a ride with us and Brian and Joanne Parks (our pastor and his wife). On the way, Brian and Todd started asking Ivan what he thought about the sermon and about God. Ivan shared how he came from a strong Catholic family, but since moving to Dubai and learning about the gospel from another church, he had started exploring Christianity. The problem was he knew if he ended up becoming a Christian, he would probably experience some persecution from his family. Fast forward to today, Ivan has been coming every Friday to Covenant Hope, listening intently, and asking lots of questions. We've had him over to our house, given him rides, and have been able to talk with him about life, the Lord, and the gospel. Recently, Todd asked Ivan where he was at with Jesus and Ivan responded, "You know, I actually have been thinking about that a lot and have decided to become a Christian!" Now, Ivan is planning to be baptized and become a member of our local church. Would you join us in praying the God would continue to lead Ivan in the Truth that leads to everlasting life? 

Leadership Workshops

On the business end of things, we recently had a few seasoned businessmen come in to teach a number of leadership workshops at various universities. This was done in an effort to gain contact with more students at universities, by offering one-to-one mentoring after each workshop which is being fulfilled by our staff. Pray for gospel opportunities at these meetings as they take place over the next couple of weeks!

 S N A P S H O T S 

December 3 was National Day for the U.A.E. which meant the whole country hung up the national flag and celebrated in all sorts of ways! We joined a National Day celebration on the campus of a nearby university so we could talk with students and learn about the culture. Brittany met an Egyptian student who is studying art and she agreed to meet up soon to sketch together. 

Todd and Ivan discussing God's Word before church

We had a holiday weekend and got to spend it camping in Liwa desert with this amazing group from our church!

Needless to say, the setting in Liwa was pretty breathtaking.

We had the joy of witnessing "Joy" get baptized last Friday at church. She was one of four baptisms (three of which had been saved this year through FOCUS).

Studying Systematic Theology each week with students from various regions of the world is a joy for us. John Folmar, who leads the discussion and pastors a church here, encourages us regularly with his wisdom, compassion for others, and love for the Lord. 

Our first Thanksgiving away from our families back home was hard at moments, but feasting alongside members of our church family and new friends was a sweet gift.

Remember the Mustard Seed

So much of the life we are living here simply can't be boxed into photos and captions. It's the day-to-day living by faith that we're aiming for. Most days we are more aware of our failings than we are what ministry is taking place, but that is why the Kingdom of God is so glorious. For it isn't made with human hands (thank goodness) and it isn't measured with human eyes. It is the unstoppable force of Redemption that is spreading through the power of the gospel in the lives of the most unlikely individuals. It is the ever-growing shout of "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!" It is the reason we moved here. We want to be a part of telling others about how glorious Jesus Christ is–so that that shout becomes louder. We live today for Him, marching alongside you towards our eternal home. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and care for us! We are so much stronger with you all behind us. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We're still trying to find an affordable, reliable vehicle that will help us in ministry

• Pray that as our first Christmas together approaches we are able to focus on Christ and bring all our longings to Him.

• We plan on having a Christmas party for students. Pray many students come and we're able to share the gospel with them! 

• Pray for an opportunity for Brittany to get with Zeina, the Egyptian art student she met at the National Day festival.

• Wisdom in stewarding our finances well (ease in learning how to manage a household in a foreign country and a new marriage)

• Pray that we would guard our time with the Lord above everything else and that God would bless our spiritual fellowship in marriage.

• That God would provide more monthly financial support for us

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3–5