Since mid-October, Lina and I have been in South Carolina and Minneapolis in order to build some long-term financial support for my work. This was one of the major objectives that my elders established for us this year. While this is not the most glamorous part of missionary work, it is a necessary part. Growing in faithfulness in this area in order to have a more stable base in Austria was also a major objective for me personally. By God's grace, our time here has gone very well.

We're so thankful for the many churches we met during this time in the States who hosted us and invited me to share about the work in Vienna.

I've had a few friends who wanted to hear some specifics about what our financial support looks like. While I won't give specifics in our newsletter, I'm very happy to share more via personal email. So please write me at matthew.wilson.short@gmail.com if you'd like to hear more.

When we came to the US to support raise for 2022, Lina and I could not have anticipated how things would play out in Vienna while we were gone. Some of them will mean that 2022 will be more challenging than we thought. On the other hand, we can rejoice about some new opportunities.

One of our pastors, Bobby Harnist, and his family will be returning to the States for a minimum of six months for personal reasons. Also, at this moment, their return to Austria is somewhat uncertain. I have tremendous fellowship with Bobby, and he and his family are some of our closest friends. I count Bobby among the most formative influences in discipleship as a Christian and church planter. Therefore, I remain hopeful that they will return and that we might continue to labor together. Austria is in dire need of qualified workers and preachers of God's Word like Bobby. However, due to Bobby's absence, I will really need to step up in preaching and teaching in the church under Kai's (my other pastor) direct supervision. Please pray that the Lord would move heaven and earth to allow Bobby, Danielle and their young boys to return to Austria.

Also, while we have been gone, our network of like-minded churches has grown into quite the fellowship. When I return, we plan to meet together in person to discuss how that Christian friendship might be leveraged to build and strengthen healthy churches throughout Austria. Shortly, I will also have the opportunity to preach in a church in northern Austria pastored by my friend Simon. Expect updates about this in my next newsletter.