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| “Mom, I know that I’m supposed to be more excited about giving presents, but I’m kind of more excited about getting them,” Wyck (my ever-honest child) told me one day before Christmas. When I told my sister-in-law about this conversation, she pointed out that Christmas IS about celebrating the greatest gift we’ve ever received- salvation through Jesus, and we get gifts to remind us of that. It is so like us to try to make something about OUR goodness instead of GOD’S goodness, isn’t it? Now, generosity is of course good, but Christmas is not primarily about the good things we can give and the warm feelings that brings us. Christmas is primarily about celebrating the free gift of salvation that Jesus gave us, a gift that we could never deserve. As Christians, it is so easy to make Christianity about the good things we can do for God, when it is actually about the good thing He did for us. As we teach and care for other missionaries, we want to continually remind one another about Jesus’ love for us, as it can be so easy for missionaries (and other believers!) to lose focus of this and burn themselves out working for God. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck  Wyck with his class on Christmas dress-up day  We may not have snow on the ground here, but our gingerbread houses sure do! Praise God: – We had a good Christmas and “staycation” this week. – Karissa’s headaches were much better this month. – God provided for the financial needs we shared. – A church has been born in Maliyali! Please Pray: – We are doing our first member care bush trip next week! Pray for safe travels and that we can be an encouragement to the missionary family. – Karissa broke her finger playing football. Pray that it heals well. – That Karissa can do a good job teaching this next term. – For Matt as he starts a new counseling class. |
 What are we supporting? This month’s tribal update: Last month the Maliyali people heard the gospel for the first time and many believed! Emily, one of the missionaries there, wrote, “The Maliyali walked away saying, ‘Jesus is going to come back to get us and we will be happily laughing and smiling, dwelling together with God forever and ever. We will be happy but our happiness will increase and continue to do so everyday! When He comes He will defeat Satan, he will get rid of death and sin will no longer cause any more problems. Come Jesus! Come! He is our only road, this is why we are pointing all to Him and saying go to Him! Go! He is the only one who can rescue!'” |