Brief update and mindset for Finland (+video)

Miska in class (front row bright blue shirt) with Dr. MacArthur.

Greetings from sunny and hot Los Angeles (it's been up to +43 celcius at times this week!). We have now been here about 8 weeks and are now much more settled into our new surroundings, we are thankful for those who have been praying for us. Miska has now completed about 5 weeks of the 1st semester at Seminary and he is managing to keep his head above water with the big amount of studies, reading and homework. It is encouraging for me (Alison) to see his dedication to his studies and the real joy and pleasure he has from attending The Master's Seminary.

Dinner with Tom, Linda, Nathaniel, Daniel & Julie and family.

Even with all this change and adaption to our new environment for the next years, we have not forgotten where we have come from and especially our goal (God willing) to return to Finland and continue the work at International Baptist Church (Tampere, Finland) started by Tom and Linda Ruhkala. We are thankful to have Pastor Tom and Linda now here in Los Angeles and it was a joy to meet up with them about a week ago, along with another church member Nathaniel who was visiting from Finland. What a pleasure to have a reunion of church members from Finland here in Los Angeles. Tom and Linda will be based here until March 2015, using it as a base to visit many supporting churches around the state of California.

To give an update about their missionary work in Finland, Tom and Linda have produced a short (about 15 min) video explaining some of the work they have been doing in Finland for over 35 years, we feel it gives a great insight into the work in Finland and the need for sound biblical teaching and solid biblical churches. We are glad to share this video for your to watch and hope you find it interesting, informative and encouraging. It also provides an insight to what we will be doing Lord willing after Miska finishes his seminary training here at TMS.



Tom and Linda are serving as missionaries under Baptist Mid-Missions. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the 'leadership training fund' they have set up to help support Miska's theological training here at The Master's Seminary. Without this financial support for Miska's tuition fees we would not be able to be afforded this wonderful opportunity. We would like to thank all individuals and supporting churches of Tom and Linda who have kindly donated to this fund. We would also like to extend a huge thank you for your prayer support.

As a side note, please take this opportunity to visit our updated 'Supporting us' page if you're interested to know how you might be able to support us through prayer and also financially should you wish to do so.

Warmest greetings,

Alison & Miska