Merry Christmas from the Koppens
As per common Christmas custom, we are focusing this update on our family.
In August 2023 all four kids went to the local Christian school and Sarah’s homeschooling career came to an end. For the last 18 months she has been working towards the degree completion of her bachelors. This fall she will be applying to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in biblical counseling. After civil engineering in her 20’s and home engineering (i.e. home schooling) in her 30’s, I often joke with her that she is pursuing her third and final calling: soul care. She is a gifted and experienced counselor; she just needs training and credentialing. Sarah has lots of hopes and ideas about how trauma recovery and biblical counseling can be more thoroughly implemented at IBC.
Sarah’s Birthday Celebration
One of Sarah’s greatest achievements was being the “captain” of the Mending the Soul development team (see newsletter page 2), which after four years of work will finally go to print in early 2025. Her relentless commitment to the project is one of the primary reasons the project was finished.
Abby’s birthday celebration
Abby (18; back left in this picture) will graduate high school this year—just two days before her mom graduates with her bachelor’s degree from IBC (May 22 and 24, respectively). Abby drives her siblings to/from school each day and took three college classes this last semester–two at the local community college and one at IBC. Be praying for her healing and for how her ongoing health challenges impacts her future.
Lizzy (16; front left) continues to develop her art and is becoming quite skilled. She is naturally empathetic and is great at identifying with those around her. Angie (15 on Dec. 30; middle left) is now the tallest of the Koppen women, clocking in at 5’10”. She is becoming a really good cook (like her mom) and is playing basketball (her choice). David (13) is now as tall as his mom and his voice is as deep as his dad’s. He will be playing basketball in the new year (dad’s choice).
In February Jason took over the director of the theater program of the kids’ school; all four kids have joined and are discovering their love for musical theater; the school will be performing the Sound of Music in April; Abby will be Mother Abbess, Lizzy and Angie will be nuns (notice the “three sisters” ), and David will perform as Frederick. Most important, all four kids love and follow Jesus. Some of our favorite times as a family are studying the Bible, spontaneously talking about theology, or praying together.
December 11th was the 20th anniversary for Jason and Sarah. In anticipation of this the Lord led us in praying through a handful of hurts from the earlier years of our marriage. This was a difficult but transformational process. We celebrated with two nights at the Grand Canyon, during which we watched the sunrise and sunset from the rim—on the same day (pictured above, respectively).
Jason is enjoying being relieved of the Academic Dean position and is re-learning how to be focused on being the President. One of his greatest joys at IBC is leading the Administrative Team with the four Vice-presidents of the college (pictured above). This is an amazing team and the Lord has positioned us for some exciting days ahead.
IBC’s third Core Value highlights the incarnation of Christ—often just celebrated by the church at Christmas—as the whole way Jesus lived (Luke 19:10). Jesus came to us, as one of us, but was without sin. The invitation to follow Jesus as his disciple is the invitation to love like He loves. As you remember the coming of our Savior as the baby in the manger may you enjoy the strong and gentle (Isaiah 40:10-11) and gracious and truthful (John 1:14) love of God. And may you enjoy sacrificially loving others as Christ has first loved you (John 13:34-35).
THANK YOU for praying for, volunteering at, and/or giving financially to the ministry of the Indian Bible College!
From our family to yours: Merry Christmas and a Happy—and Holy—New Year!
Jason and Sarah and family
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