Missy and I hope you all had a very merry Christmas! We heard you got a lot of snow, but don't feel bad because we got a lot of rain :) We celebrated with a special Christmas dinner at our hotel. It was cut short because I had to go speak at a Christmas eve service, but none the less it was special for our family. The hotel even got Brooklyn a basket of treats which we let him devour!Because of the rain, our interpreter suggested Missy and Brooklyn not attend the Christmas eve service. As I was hopping over a fence into a flooded plot of grass, I was glad I heeded her warning. The service was hard for me in all honesty. Christmas services here last upwards of 4 hours--most of which is spent singing. Either way God showed up as He always does!
Again the rain kept Missy and Brooklyn from going to our Christmas morning service the following day. The roads were pure mud and it was only the grace of God that got us into that little village church. Actually the theme for this Christmas service was "Amazing Grace." How appropriate for a holiday that celebrates the sacrifice made for that grace, Jesus. I guess when you have no gifts to give, no place to travel, and no feast to eat, the true meaning of Christmas has an opportunity to shine through as it should. That is a lesson those Indonesians
taught me without even knowing it and I am so grateful to God for this opportunity.
We're very excited for our upcoming ministry schedule. We have another service this Sunday morning at a new church we've never been to. Once January hits we're off and running non stop. Thank you for your continued prayers and comments. We'll be thinking of you as we all celebrate this new year--we'll be eating lunch while you're watching the ball drop!
10 comments:
tis the season for rain...Merry Christmas to you guys as well! As always know we are praying for you...colton still prays for you everynight!
I know you know this but these are amazing times you'll look back on a thousand times and refer to that many also. In the same way I say to a couple about to get married, this last only an hour so take it all in or it will pass before you know what happened. I hope you'll take it all in. It will change who you are in Christ forever. We are proud of you! Love Tim & Renee
Rainy season, muddy roads, remember them all to well. Tim is so right - these moments will impact you forever!!! The mere hours I've spent on that island deeply touch my soul even today. I can only imagine the impact you're making as you let them touch you, as much as YOU are touching them. Being the hands & feet of the love of the Lord.
I love these glimpses into your lives...though I know it's just a fraction of it all. AMAZING grace to you guys! He never leaves you.
Thank you for taking the time to update us.
I love when you wrote this: "I guess when you have no gifts to give, no place to travel, and no feast to eat, the true meaning of Christmas has an opportunity to shine through as it should."
So true and such a good reminder.
Love you guys!
Heather
Merry Christmas you three! :) What a great reminder of how important this holiday really is (and not because of any presents - but just about who He is)... thanks!
We continue to pray for you and we appreciate the prayer updates so we know what to pray for specifically. We love you guys dearly and miss you SO MUCH but are SO HAPPY for the opportunity you have to follow His plan for your lives and where it will lead! God bless you all!
Merry Christmas to you little family! While you were all missed at our celebration this year, I am very proud of you and how you are sharing your Love of God. Take care and our prayers will continue to flow. Love you, Mimi (Mom)
This will be the year you remember as one of the most special Christmas's you've ever had! And Brooklyn got to celebrate with an easter basket,he he...He looks like he's fitting in just fine, I LOVE the pictures of him playing with the kids! Im sure you've already discovered the the HS helping you do those 4 hour services. This is the time where everything you've put IN will just FLOW out without much effort. Remember that the JOY of the Lord is your strength, so when you're having a rough day - choose to laugh, maybe even take a pic so you can remember it later! Love you guys!
What a good huaband and father you are!Thank God for men of God like you.Keep leaning on Him and He will continue to dicect your path.......love from Minnesota, from the Wiechmanns to the Lyles
~The eyes of the Lord are looking to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself STRONG on behalf of those whos hearts are turned toward Him....
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