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December 2019  FTL Update from Michelle Sessoms
 

Michelle's Christmas Letter 


Dear Friends,

It has been a FULL year, hasn’t it? As is the nature of many Christmas letters at this time of year, I've made a list.

Most of the things on this list are directly related to my work with Freedom to Lead International. Cultivaing Christ-centered leaders in this storycentric generation is still the thing that motivates me most - and your financial support and prayers have directly impacted the work of cultivating these leaders. So, this is also my THANK YOU to each of you. Thank you for your love for the global church and for partnering with what God is doing through this ministry this past year.
 
Here are some highlights from my year:
  • International Trips: Ethiopia, Kenya (twice), Senegal (twice), Zambia (twice), India, Nepal, China, and Canada
     
  • Extended layovers (8-12 hours) in Bangkok and Paris
     
  • Domestic trips, conferences, and speaking engagements: Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Florida (three times), and North Carolina.
     
  • The “world” comes to me (January, July, and November) – bringing in some of our international people to us here in North Carolina for various events)
     
  • Freedom to Lead’s Tenth Anniversary Week!!! (November 2019)
     
  • For the first time in seven years I worked ONE job in 2019.
     
  • Tea parties with the nieces, snuggle buddy times with the nephew, working overseas with my brother, venturing back to my China hometown and seeing my China people, reunion back at my alma mater, visiting the Disney parks, exploring the Louvre in Paris, working on the farm at my aunt’s house in Michigan, and enjoying my church small group.
(Some pictures are are at the bottom of this email)
But before you get the idea that this has been a Hallmark-moment-picture-perfect year, let me assure you that it hasn’t been - not entirely. There was that one time this year with the cracked ribs and hard falls and the pain of a kidney stone during what couldn't have been at a worse time. We also saw the loss of our beloved dog of 16 years. This was the year marked by major mishaps in foreign countries with a language I don’t speak. This year there were broken relationships and serious house repairs and broken aids that knocked out half of my hearing for several months. 2019 was the year that saw lots of change at work. There was also great loss as friends passed away far too soon. And there was the pain of coming alongside those who received an incredibly hard diagnosis this year about their children or about themselves.

Behind every international trip is great anxiety. Behind every event is a lot of prep time and that moment behind the scenes when everything starts to fall apart. Behind every adventure is some kind of confusion. Behind every victory is some kind of unspoken struggle. Yes, there have been some hard times this year, too. Let’s be real.

But if we're going to be real, let me also say this: none of what I've experienced this year holds a candle to many of our leaders who face persecution and risk their lives for the gospel every day. And if not their lives, then they've had to give up their livelihood, their families, and their comfort. These leaders are not just a statistic; they are men and women I've interacted with personally this year. But they carry on because they are faithful to Jesus.
 

I think I've shared this before, but this is a reminder that a good friend gave me a few months back, something that never gets old no matter how many times we say it:
 
God is good. God is good to me. God is good at being God.
 
So if you’re in a hard place this season, say these words with me. I promise this offers great hope.

And with that reminder to all of us as we are in this celebratory, hope-filled season…I wish you and yours a blessed time.

Merry Christmas to you all!


P.S. And behind every newsletter is a petition to pray and to give. Most of the time I try to be subtle about this, but this time I am making a more direct ask. A lot of changes are on the horizon for me at Freedom to Lead next year, but what hasn’t changed is my need for all of you in my life. The need for your prayers and the need for your financial support. If you are able, please consider giving. Because this thing we’re doing at Freedom to Lead? It’s not just about me. It’s about all of us. My prayer is that you will personally make this part of your story, too. 
Most of the pictures I share in my monthly newsletters are ministry and work-related. These pictures below are some of the more personal pictures from this past year. These images are in no particular order.

Did you miss last month's newsletter? You can get it here: Thanks from Michelle

It is my responsibility to form a team of ministry partners who will support Freedom To Lead with monthly gifts and prayers. Please continue to pray how you might be involved to financially support the ministry of Freedom To Lead.

Make a Contribution Toward The Ministry of Freedom to Lead!

1.  To give by check:
Make checks payable to “Freedom to Lead” and send to
P.O. Box 3, Cary, NC 27512
*the same applies when setting up an automatic bank draft from your bank

2.  To give online: Visit www.freedomtolead.net/donate
 

Copyright © 2019 Freedom to Lead International, All rights reserved.


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