Dear Loved ones;
Greeting from Asia Pacific, where we are enjoying a warm, rainy, tropical Christmas. We occasionally dream of a white Christmas, but then we remember the lost mittens, the 45 minutes of getting five children bundled up before going outside, and the muddy footprints on the carpet when we have to turn right back around and undo it all 🙂 In Actuality it is NOT the WHITE we are missing as much as we are missing YOU, our loved ones. Maybe next year you can plan to head over here and visit us to find out what a tropical Christmas is all about . . .but don’t forget your sunglasses and flip flops!
This year we are all alone for Christmas. Greg’s folks and siblings are all scattered about, and none were able to join us. It is quite an adjustment from the last three Christmases, when we were surrounded by family. Still we are determined to enjoy the birthday of the King, and are taking the time to really study and learn about the promise of the coming Savior, and how God fulfilled that promise through Christ.
On the ministry front things are looking very favorable for us moving into Buru around September of 2010. We are starting to think about the things we will need to have in place to make that happen. We are praying about trading in our car for a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get in and out of the village, the modifications that will need to be made to the house where we will be living, and solar panels and/or other sources of electricity. There is a lot to think about and plan for and we appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this move.
The kids are doing great. We just put on a Christmas program with all the other home-school Mks and threw a “birthday party” for Jesus afterward, complete with huge cake, (see the picture above). Now we are on vacation until January 4th and everyone, especially the teacher, is enjoying the break and getting caught up on things that slide a bit while school is in session.
We are planning a team meeting in late February to plan the logistics of having four out of five of our team families living interior by the end of 2010. This would be such a boost to the ministry among the Buru people. As you know, one on one discipleship is such an important part of growth in their understanding of Scripture. Please pray for the finances for our entire family to be able to make this trip to the meeting. If the finances are not there Greg will be going alone, but we are praying that the whole family will be able to participate because of the important decisions to be made that will impact our family.
We love to hear from you, and to know how we can pray for you and yours. We pray that you each have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
In Him;
Greg and Pam Berglund
Nate, Hannah, Grace, Katie, and Caleb