Michael has been part of CIAM since its start over 20 years ago. He provides servant leadership for CIAM Media together with an amazingly talented and dedicated group of people, who have a common vision and goal to reach out with the Good News here at home and around the world. Please join Michael and his family in their faith journey as they serve the Lord with Canada’s Indigenous people and Mission Media & Broadcasting with CIAM.
We have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Sandstrom Family Faith Journey 2023
We are so grateful to God for His faithfulness and strength as we continue to serve the Lord among Canada’s Indigenous people and through the various Media & Broadcast ministries of CIAM. It’s been a year full of immeasurable blessings yet not without challenges for all of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair…
We have seen how faithfully God has carried us through several health issues; Man is in remission from her cancer, courageously overcoming some side effects, and always rejoicing in the Lord! Michael had a serious strep infection that went viral and then a sudden gall bladder attack, and overcoming another round of COVID (which could be critical with Michael’s pulmonary embolism). Yes, we Praise God for in our weakness His strength is made perfect!
Prayers For Our Family
We were so thankful that all of us could visit Sweden this summer for Lovisa’s graduation with a degree in Occupational Therapy as well as celebrating Michael’s mom and dad’s 85 year birthday. It was a very precious time meeting with family and friends, some we had not seen for over 5 years. We treasured every moment and this time will always have a special place in our hearts.
We do experience the warfare firsthand, both in our family and the ministry. We acknowledge that the battle belongs to the Lord and that Jesus is Victory! Your prayers are both highly valued and essential, as we together by faith in Jesus believe and trust that all of our dear family members one day will choose to follow Jesus as their Saviour and Lord! There is truly no greater reward seeing people discovering who Jesus is, and the difference He makes in our lives.
A Compassionate Heart
The needs are so great around us! For the last five years, Man and I have been involved in reaching out to people on the streets in our area early in the mornings. The challenges are enormous, especially with mental health, addictions and the cold winter at our doorstep. We are getting to know people firsthand by name, hear their stories and the trauma they have gone through. It’s heartbreaking, yet rewarding to see how open our friends are to the Good News as we see lives changing, turning to Christ.
Man is also involved in a new outreach ministry of CIAM called 1& 1 Mentorship, where she together with other volunteers are reaching out on a new online platform to those who have need of a listening ear and a compassionate heart. There are so many who are extremely lonely and need
words of encouragement and to hear the hope of Christ. Man’s heart is to be present and reaching out where people are the needs are great!
Prayers for CIAM
As for CIAM, we are presently in the process of finalizing several full power upgrades, which will enable more people to hear the Good News in our broadcast areas. We would ask for your prayers as we have experienced some difficult technical challenges with the remaining installations in Grande
Prairie, Fort St John and High Level. We are deeply thankful as we experience firsthand how our amazing God is bringing the right people and finances at the right time to support His cause.
We have also continued to work hard to launch the CHOICE media mission platform, which has not been without challenges. Our programming team in India has faced numerous ongoing health issues and unexpected changes in personnel. We truly need help, as this is a mission project that involves
layers of complex coding to build several unique interactive broadcast streams.
Our vision for the platform would allow for a deeper Christ-centered listener experience with artists, content creators, and generate authentic engagement through 1&1 Mentorship, Circles and Conversations. Please pray that that God will bring in the right leadership and a team that have the skills in programming (PHP) so we can launch the CHOICE soon.
We are very grateful for you as our dear family and friends in Jesus. Thank you for sharing so openly with us and allowing us to journey with you. Thank you also for your faithful and sacrificial support both in prayers and finances over these years. We count it a privilege to serve the Lord in every way we can, and somehow impact today and eternity in the choices we make.
May God have all the glory and praise whether we serve Him on the streets among homeless, the reserves, in prisons, or over the airways and media. It’s inspiring and very fulfilling to see God at work in people’s lives and the difference He makes as we choose to follow Jesus.
Thank you for joining us on this amazing faith journey, especially celebrating God’s faithfulness and goodness as we expectantly look forward to 2024.
With much gratefulness,
Michael & Man Sandstrom with family
