Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings from Lake Chapala! Thanks for taking the time to read this short update. Let’s begin by spotlighting a story from the Book of Acts.
The Man from Macedonia
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” Acts 16:9
It was around A.D. 49, and Paul’s second missionary journey had hit a dead end. He wanted to share the gospel in Asia and Bithynia, but God closed those doors. So Paul waited in the port city of Troas, unsure of what to do next.
One night, God gave him a vision. Paul saw a man from Macedonia (a region to the north of Greece) begging, “Come over and help us.” That vision changed everything.
Paul and his companions immediately sailed across the Aegean Sea into Europe. In Philippi, he met Lydia, a businesswoman who believed in God. She listened to Paul’s message, opened her heart, and became the first Christian convert in Europe. Not long after, a jailer in Philippi also came to faith—singing at midnight after God freed Paul and Silas from chains.
This moment, known as the Macedonian call, was a turning point in history. It moved the gospel from Asia into Europe, opening a whole new frontier. From that midnight vision, Christianity began to spread across continents, shaping the future of the world.
Acts 16:9 showcases how God speaks to His people to fulfill His call to Go with the Gospel. Just as a master painter crafts a picture with intention, God works to frame a vision in our hearts to guide us in the path ahead.
We can testify that He is still doing it today, In a few weeks we will take a two week missionary journey to the very same region Paul visited nearly 2000 years ago, to answer a call from a 21st century man of Macedonia – an Albanian pastor asking us to come help him. Let me explain…
Three years ago, our daughter Destiny went on a mission trip to Albania—a journey that forever marked her life. In Elbasan, she poured her gifts into a local congregation and touched the wider community with lasting influence. Her outgoing spirit and genuine warmth were met with open‑armed hospitality from the Albanian people. And when the time came to say goodbye, the pastor, Kristian, urged her to return and launch a ministry to the downtrodden women of the city.
Ever since that first visit, Pastor Kristian’s call for help has echoed in Destiny’s heart. On December 31st, she will answer that call—returning to Elbasan, Albania, alongside her dad and her prayer‑warrior brother Noah—for a two‑week missionary journey to usher in the New Year.
You Can Help Us Bless Albania
Will you help us be a blessing to the precious people of Albania with an end of the year donation? In this season of giving, we invite you to invest in the Albanian people. Missionaries call Albania an “unreached” nation, where a mere 0.4% of the population is evangelical Christian. But the Albanian people are gregarious, open to talk, and ripe for the Gospel! After decades of enforced atheism under communism, Albanians today exhibit a deep spiritual hunger.
For your donation of $5 or more, you can select a digital download (eBook or Audiobook) from my bookstore–a small way of saying THANK YOU for partnering with us.
ACCESS JOHN’S BOOKSTORE BY CLICKING HERE
We want to wish you and yours a wonder-filled Christmas season and an amazing 2026!
May the Lord bless and keep you
In His Mighty Grip,
Checks mailed to the Nielsen Family via Sozo Charities are tax deductible.
You can download one of John’s books and bless Albania at the same time!
