As we wrap up another year closer to serving the Lord among the unreached, we are happy to regale you with stories from our joyous Christmas season. At the start of December, Alishia hosted a table at the ladies Christmas dinner that Calvary Chapel Saving Grace has each year. The theme was ‘Christmas Around the World’, and Alishia did the Japan table. The ladies loved the origami that Alishia folded, as well as the bonzai that one of the church couples loaned her. I was asked to coordinate the food for the event, and although I was in over my head, the ladies didn’t seem to notice and my team picked up any slack. It was a great evening with music and dinner and a gospel message from a missionary serving in Nepal.
The next week Alishia set up and served at a Christmas dinner for Voice of the Refugees. In a previous letter I told you about this ministry and the work they due among displaced people here in Orange County. This dinner was a great opportunity to share the reason for Christmas with a group of refugees that were mostly Muslim. The ministry has a large impact because it shows practical love to people (especially women) who are isolated here in the US, and this night was no different.
We had a wonderful Christmas, although we missed many of you, celebrating with new friends and being thankful for our Savior. We are so grateful to everyone here in California that took us in and loved on us this year. Everyone was so generous towards us and we felt like we were home even if we weren’t. Alishia did a fundraiser for our Japan vision trip where she made floral centerpieces that people could order. She did a great job on the arrangements and the response was very positive.
This year has been one of the most trial filled years of our lives and we rejoice in it. We can see very specific ways that the Lord is preparing us for the mission field and while its hard day-to-day, the path we can look back on is clearly marked and faith building. We don’t expect this year to be easier, in fact we are just running with footmen, the horses are still on the horizon. The floodplain of the Jordan beckons and we will need to be strong when we get there. Love you all and happy New Year.
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?
Jeremiah 12:5
Prayer requests:
-We are traveling home to Montana in January to see our church and take care of some things. Please pray that the trip goes well.
-Please continue to pray about our Japan trip this coming spring. That God would provide direction and favor with all the details.
-Please pray for the learning opportunities that we have for next summer. Eight weeks in Mexico and Nepal learning to plant churches.