New Year’s Eve

We hope this New Year’s Eve finds you reflecting on God’s incredible faithfulness. We have seen it every step of the way this year. When the year began, we had only been in country for a few months. I (Jennifer) could say little more than “Good morning” in the national language. This year we’ve seen the Lord’s faithfulness to get us to a level where we can communicate. We’ve also seen His faithfulness in providing for our move from our first home here to the capital city, and helping us to learn our new ministry here.

We’ve had a couple of quiet weeks without guests here, so we’ve taken the opportunity to enjoy Christmas together as a family.  On January 10-15 we will have the privilege of welcoming 3 new missionary families to our field. We will pick them up at the airport, and they will spend several days here at the mission home with us before they head on to another town to begin language study. We’re so excited that they are coming, and that we get to be the first ones to meet them when they arrive. Please pray that we can help make their first adjustments as easy as possible. I remember how overwhelming the first few days here were with jet lag, culture shock, children not wanting to sleep through the night, etc. We want to be a help and a blessing in any way we can.

Today isn’t just New Year’s Eve, it is also a holy day for the main religion in this country. In the last week or two, stock pens have sprung up all over the city, selling goats, cows, and water buffalo for sacrifices.
On this day, people gather to sacrifice animals in hopes that they will be forgiven for their sins and gain merit towards entering heaven. Pray for the people of this country, that they’ll be able to hear and understand that the only sacrifice that can take away sins was already accomplished 2,000 years ago.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support this year.