any blessings to you and your families this Easter season! It’s such a great day to walk with Jesus!
I think when God “knit me together in my mother’s womb” (I just love that allegory!), He placed in me an adventurer’s spirit. I always longed, even as a small child, to see the world that I read about in books. To walk on the cobblestones that famous people had walked on; to see the cliffs and moors of the Bronte sisters. I think this adventurer’s heart is what spurred me on to go to Bible School in England as a teenager, far from the frozen north that I grew up in. It was my guide through all the traveling that I’ve done, sometimes to places far out of my comfort zone. It helped me move down the coast to Abbotsford (close to Vancouver) when I was first married, and helped me transition to Calgary five years ago.
Now God is calling up that adventuring spirit in me again, as my husband and I make preparations to move to Montreal, Quebec this summer. For those of you not familiar with the lay out of Canada, right now we live in the West and Montreal is in the East of Canada. It is a four hour flight from Calgary and would take 4 days to drive from Vancouver….basically, it’s clear across a continent! I will miss the deep friendships that we’ve made here in Calgary. As well, our youngest son is graduating and going off to Bible School in N. Ireland, so we will be moving on our own. But I’m excited about what God has for us….when God closes a door, He always opens a window. He always replaces what is left behind, with something greater. I know it’s not going to be easy (I don’t speak a word of French), but I know He will walk this pilgrim’s progress with me. I would covet your prayers in finding a church and a place to call home.
Sign Up Winner!
Congratulations to Sandi Heath of Calgary, AB, who is the most recent winner of the free CD pack for signing up! Remember, let friends know about the sign up and who knows, they might win and give you one!
Germany and Ireland!
Since my last newsletter, I’ve been doing a little bit of traveling! In January, I went with my good friend, Margaret Graham, to Dublin and Northern Ireland. We were attending a conference in Belfast with Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Robin Mark. It was an amazing experience to worship together with 8,000 others in (get this, Canadian friends), a hockey rink! (apparently, Belfast is very proud of their hockey team, made up mostly of Canadians). I think it was the largest non-denominational gathering in the history of Belfast. I also had the opportunity to go back to Bangor and minister in West Church. It was soooo good to reconnect with old friends and make a few new ones. I just LOVE that church!
This last month, I went to Germany to begin a 2 week tour. This tour was organized through a friend here in Calgary and her contacts in Germany. (watch for pictures to be posted soon on my site). I can’t express to you how exciting and fulfilling this trip was. I found the German people very responsive and open to the message of unity, reconciliation and prayer that is in my songs. I believe every nation has a calling and I’m excited to see how God is awakening Germany to her call. Amoung the highlights of this trip, was a visit we made to a protestant convent called Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary (www.kanaan.org). This charismatic sisterhood, was founded by M. Basilea Schlink and M. Martyria Madauss after the war in an effort to bring repentance and reconciliation to the nation. It has grown into a interdenominational, worldwide ministry that supports efforts of reconciliation globally. I walked on the grounds of this Holy place and felt the strong presence of God. I think I wept the whole time I was there, and I begin to cry even as I write this down. It has spurred me on to go deeper in my walk in intercession and rekindled my love to pray for the nations. If you are ever close to Darmstadt, Germany, please visit this amazing place of healing.
Finally, because the response was so strong, we are planning another tour next May, which we are hoping to expand to East Germany and maybe other parts of Europe. We’ll see what doors God opens up! I just want to say a BIG thankyou to all my German friends, for your hospitality and care of me and my guitar player and his wife. We can’t wait to come back!
New Website
Within the next 6 months, I’m hoping to revamp my website and give it a whole new look! Most of my contacts and other business is through my website and it is a vital part of what I do. Contact information will pretty much stay the same, except our address.
Stay tuned in for further updates on this!
Upcoming Events
For concerts and events in your area, check my website schedule page at www.liannaklassen.com I’m involved in a number of events this year, including Rivers of Worship Conference with Robin Mark (June) and a trip back to N. Ireland (November).
Family stuff
As Randy and I move to Montreal, our children are scattering in different directions. Our son Adam, is going to Bible School in Belfast, our daughter is staying in Calgary for at least another year in University and our oldest son…..well, he’s not sure yet. He moved home in February to earn money for school and he’s probably returning to Abbotsford, BC, to attend college.
My husband and I are going to Italy for our anniversary in September….I can hardly wait!! We’re taking a Greek Island cruise and a 5 day trip through Tuscany…woohooo!! Before then, we have to sell our house here in Calgary, pack up and move, complete our schedules, and still find time for each other and our kids. Should be an interesting summer…..
It’s been so great to sit down and chat with all of you. I’m a terrible procrastinator when it comes to this newsletter, but once I finally sit down, I’m so glad I did. I thank all of you, again, for your support of this ministry. Just when I feel like it’s winding down, God opens new doors and shows me it’s not done yet!
Lord, Your constant love reaches the heavens…
Your righteousness is towering like the mountains…
How precious, O God, is Your constant love!
We find protection under the shadow of Your wings.
We feast on the abundant food You provide;
You let us drink from the river of Your goodness.
Psalm 36:5-8
Blessings
Lianna
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