“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jan 3rd: Setting our table for the first of at least one hundred meals with old friends, new friends, and ministry partners during 2023.

Dear Blessed Earth family and friends,

For many, Christmas is a hectic and sometimes overwhelming season. But for Matthew and me, partly because our ministry travel usually slows down after Thanksgiving, and partly because I was raised Jewish without any Christmas expectations, Advent is a time of increased shalom in the Sleeth home. 

One Advent occasion we greatly look forward to is recalling and reflecting upon God’s blessings from the past year. Then, listening for God’s prompting, together, we write down our goals for ministry, family life, giving, spiritual growth, hospitality, fun, etc. for the year ahead.  We’ve been doing this since 2016, and it’s been woven into the fabric of our marriage ever since.

Here are some of the many blessings of 2023 that Matthew and I are giving thanks for:

January  Matthew was invited to share sermons on the topic of Prayer at several local churches. I am not exaggerating when I say that, in our 20 years of ministry, we have never experienced such an ushering in of God’s power and peace.

February  We were privileged to experience the Outpouring at Asbury, sparked when our friend, Zach Meerkreebs, preached at chapel.  Matthew carried that spark with him as he preached at a college chapel in Georgia and several churches in Ohio.

Photo by Jeff Rogers

March  Wow! Matthew keynoted at the Church Awakening Conference in Washington state, and folks lined up for hours to pray with him.  People confessed, Jesus healed, lives were transformed. We are still processing what happened and marveling at the miracles — all glory to God!

April  Matthew traveled to Kenya and Tanzania to speak about Sabbath rest with missionaries serving in East Africa.  While there, he also had the privilege of baptizing our granddaughter Hannah in the Indian Ocean, visiting our son’s Kenyan home, and seeing their work at Tenwek Hospital for the first time.  While at Tenwek, Matthew was also asked to lead Bible study for medical interns and teach a group of cardiac surgeons.

May  Matthew keynoted at a mental health summit in Alabama, sharing Scriptural wisdom on today’s epidemic of anxiety and despair and practical ways that communities of believers can come together to help.  When our Kenyan children arrived for their annual summer visit in Kentucky, I took granddaughter Hannah on a road trip to DC to see extended family, explore museums, and enjoy God’s creation.  A glorious time was had by all!!!

June and July  Countless splash parks, snuggles, and sleepovers with our three Kenyan grands as well as our (God willing!) soon-to-be adopted foster grandson, Oliver. Summers with the grandchildren two blocks away (rather than 8000 miles!) is a foretaste of heaven—Matthew and I relish every minute!

August   As our grandkids often exclaim at the beginning of a race, “Ready!  Steady! Go!!!” Our fall ministry marathon takes off with more filming sessions for The Colson Center (stay tuned for another great series!); church sermons and community talks in Alabama and Wyoming; a mental health summit with Volunteers of America; and speaking at a Generous Giving Sabbath retreat in Colorado Springs.

September Matthew returned to Colorado Springs to give a Focus on the Family Lighthouse Series Lecture, as well as record several sessions with The Colson Center. Then, he was off to speak at MOPS’ national conference (MOMCOM—a lively expression of God’s shalom!), at church events in North Carolina and Arkansas, and at the state convention for the Gideons. With the Gideons, Matthew was invited to be the teacher for the weekend and also share the story of how a Gideons Bible in a hospital waiting room brought our family to a saving knowledge of Christ—a miracle that still gobsmacks us anew each day!

October/November Through the generous gift of a dear friend’s home, Matthew and I savored two weeks of rest and renewal on the coast of Maine. Maine residents are only allotted about 10 perfect weather days a year, and we got 6 of them!!! We also had the joy of celebrating Matthew’s birthday in Maine with some of our oldest, dearest friends, whom Matthew met on his first day of medical school and later recruited to serve as family doctors in Maine. Upon our return to Kentucky, Matthew immediately began a 3-week Sabbath sermon series at our son-in-law’s church (The Work of Rest, Sabbath Rest, and the Rest of Rest—365 Days Per Year), was interviewed on several podcasts, and gave a couple of talks at a university and a medical school. Back home in Kentucky, we found ourselves having folks over for meals almost daily and enjoying the Advent of shalom at home!

No matter what is going on in your world today, Matthew and I hope that you will take a moment to reflect on the prayers that God has answered for you and yours over the past year and eagerly anticipate the opportunities each day to share Christ’s peace in the year ahead.  

We also pray that you may be encouraged by the words of Jesus, as recorded by his best friend, John:  

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  

May it be so!  Amen and Amen!

Advent blessings,

Nancy and Matthew

P.S.—Your prayers would especially be appreciated for:

—An extra measure of wisdom and strength as our daughter, Emma serves at Heart of Africa and our son-in-law, Zach pastors at Centenary Church

—Finalization on December 19 of foster grandson Oliver's adoption!!!

—Protection for medical missionaries Clark, Val, Hannah (7), Luke (4), and Simon (2), our son and his family, as they continue to serve in Kenya

—Rest and renewal for Matthew after a fruitful fall travel schedule

—Citizenship for our adopted Burundi family; after 5 years in the U.S. they just achieved their dream of buying a home in Lexington!

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