Dear Faithful Friends,
Seasons greetings from a tropical land! We hope your month is filled with sweet memories and most of all a heart of reflection on all that God has done through Immanuel- God with us. As we’ve been working through advent with our girls we’ve appreciated the personal challenge as we seek to explain “Christ in us” in a simple way. Such a profound reality full of so much depth. And yet can be simply believed and realized by children! We’re also finding it a challenge to share the more secular traditions of the season that are just for fun, while also honing in a the very reason we celebrate and the One we owe our lives to this Christmas season. I know you face the same challenge whether young or old, as the “world” around you pushes the secular side of things. But in the midst of it all we know we’re blessed beyond measure and are forever marked by the One who gave up the riches and glory of heaven, to be born as a helpless, humble baby.
I personally was encouraged by thinking about the details of the first teaching as this is something we’ve been preparing for for SO long. Keep praying with us that next spring or early summer the first sharing of the Gospel in this language will become a reality! Some big mountains have to be moved- mostly in the hearts of the people for that to come to fruition but we are rejoicing because we serve a God of miracles!!!
Our family traveled out with our visitors and then headed to Jakarta for Dina & Abby’s passport paperwork to be handled at the American Embassy. We are very thankful that they both received their new ones without a hassle. We then took 2 days of R & R, hoping to get some Christmas shopping done. The shopping happened but not too much rest as Dina got a bad stomach flu for 48 hours and only saw the inside of the hotel room. We took turns getting out and are glad we could find some fun gifts as we will be spending Christmas with my sister Julie and her family. They will fly from Japan and meet us in Malaysia for a week together!!! We’re SO thankful we’ll have the Holidays together as it’s been 3 years since we’ve been together. And for best friend sisters- that’s a LONG time!
We thank each one of you for your continued, caring support of us and prayers for life and ministry here in this language group. Our prayer is that at this time next year, many of our friends and neighbors will be able to celebrate CHRISTmas and will truly understand the depth and significance of it!
Blessings for a reflective Christmas season,
Andrea,Tim, Dina & Abby