"This day is very special for us!
At this time we celebrate the birth of the one who gave us salvation!"
December was filled with conversations that began with this statement. Again and again we told the story to people who knew very little about Christmas (other than santa and the snowman). Of course it is hardest to be away from family during the holidays, but the carols we sing come to life when you are living among people who still wait to hear the good news!
This year it was the phrase, "let EARTH receive her King" that stirred my heart. Any view that limits redemption to something smaller than EARTH is wrong! He didn't come for one or some, He came for ALL! What a privilege to tell the world that Salvation is here!
Another thing we got to do in December was to host several of the guys and gals that are working here. We are all a bunch of orphans during the holidays and end up becoming a family ourselves. One night T baked some cookies and we all sat around and decorated them. To be honest, I never would have imagined how much fun that would be. Afterwards, we took the cookies to our friends in the community and explained to them the reason for our joy.
Most of Christmas day was spent packing to leave the country. This is an every six month journey we take to keep our visas. This time we got to spend a few days with the group we lead beside a beautiful beach. A speaker from South Carolina came and did an incredible job encouraging and challenging us from the word.
We also got to spend some time hanging out with the group and going deeper in our relationships. These folks are spread across the country in some tough areas doing some amazing things. One day we took a boat out to an island together. Our boys were so excited they could barely control themselves!
C got to work on his surfing.
And B got to work on his tan.
Daddy got to eat a hamburger.
And momma got to change the world by investing in these amazing young women who are doing things in places that leave many men shakin in their boots.
After this gathering we traveled to another location to receive training on how best to lead those we are mentoring. It was an intense time that really challenged us to view ourselves as feet washers rather than supervisors.
C wanted to drive us around town on this bicycle rickshaw, but his feet couldn't reach the peddles.
Now that we are back, life is getting back to normal. C has just started playing soccer and is beginning to get the hang of it. I am coaching, but everybody recognizes that the American is clueless about "football" and the Scottish head coach makes fun of me on a regular basis. I don't mind the abuse though because this is a great opportunity for C (and for us) to make friendships with people. Hopefully this will open the door to a community that has thus far been pretty difficult to break into.
The boys are getting to use the tent they got for Christmas these days because right now we are hosting 16 people at our house. These are mostly new comers who we are helping to learn the ropes before they launch to there new homes. C and B don't seem to mind giving up their beds because they love all the excitement a full house is bringing!
So life has been busy but good the last few days! We have been reminded to keep HIS EARTH in our sites, HIS WIND at our backs, and HIS FIRE in our hearts as we watch HIS KINGDOM come!
