Greetings to you, the faithful in prayer and encouragement! It is on the sufficiency of Christ and the knowledge of your prayers that I take rest in this moment. As I write this it is “one on one” day, where once every five weeks I meet with each member of my discipleship group individually, and–to be completely candid–after six hours of disciplemaking ministry and four cups of coffee (the favorite treat of my girls) it is a comforting place to rest.
As you can probably tell, this is not Jason but Sarah writing to you. Jason asked that I write this month’s update to let you know a little more about what I am doing at the school. For the past few years my ministry has almost exclusively been on the home front, raising and teaching our children, but this year God has opened some doors for me to join Jason in the good work he is doing at IBC. I actually have three areas in which I am able to serve. On Monday nights we host a small gathering of students and their families in our home for a meal and fellowship. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to really become friends with some of our students and even afforded me the opportunity to perfect my fry bread making (I still use a rolling pin, but don’t tell). You can pray that we have wisdom as this cell group grows.
On Fridays I disciple a group of four female students, one of which I am training to lead her own group. This unit we have been studying Identity in Christ, one of my favorite things to teach on. It has been delightful to not only see the impact spiritual truth has on them individually, but because these are all returning students to be really challenging them to learn to speak them into the lives of others. To literally practice speaking the truths of scripture to one another and challenging them to hide them in their heart. It is truly exciting! Leading a small group has also made a need for Jason to stay home most Fridays to teach our children and I can really see the positive effect it is having on them as well. Jason and I understand the impact a time-consuming ministry can sometimes have on the family, and while the children appreciate the importance of what their dad is doing, I know it would be hard for them if Jason didn’t take this time to be really meaningfully invested in their lives. Being here at the school during the week (often using Jason’s office as I am right now) has also let me see his world a little bit. The constant flow of students or issues that come up in a given day…no wonder he comes home so exhausted! 🙂
The final thing I want to share with you is the work I’m doing on Wednesday evenings. This is probably the most challenging and meaningful thing that I’m doing. This summer I did some training on helping women deal with past abuse and we are now implementing this healing process with two women here at the school. I don’t mean to be shocking but the statistic for Native women who have been sexually abused is 80%, though, in my experience the number has actually been higher. Not only that, but with the many issues of alcoholism comes much physical and emotional abuse and neglect. The program we are using helps with all aspects of abuse, but the most exciting part is that the materials are designed to be reproducible. Once one finds healing themselves they can then be trained in a weekend seminar to take others through the process. This means they can take it back to their reservations or ministries and help others find true, Godly healing. Please pray for me in this. I have much to learn and will be receiving more training this winter, but the needs are great.
It is truly exciting to be using my gifts, and to really be partnering with my husband in the ministry at IBC. I can not thank you enough for all that you are doing by supporting us and the school. I know lives are being changed and that God is working and moving and if it weren’t for your prayers we wouldn’t be here!! You are important to us!
With love and thanks,
Sarah Koppen