Hope in the waiting

December 1, 2009

Dear friends,

This year I find hope in the waiting. I am eager for the warmth and cheer of Christmas day with my family in the U.S., then a joyous reunion with all my friends in Romania for the New Year.  I am also aware that I will miss the great wonder of Christ’s birth if I rush into it.  So I sit silently, watching the sun fade over the darkening horizon, and suddenly, at the darkest time of the year, the brightest light shines.  Christ is born! This is our hope: God took on human flesh and lived among us!

Henri Nouwen offers a reflection in his book With Burning Hearts, asking,

Are there people who keep telling each other stories of hope and, together, go out to care for their fellow human beings, not pretending to solve all problems, but to bring a smile to a dying man and a little hope to a lonely child?

The answer is yes!  The Christmas story is our story of hope and you and I are those called to share God’s gift of Himself with the world! Hope has been a theme for me during these six months of sabbatical. Thank you for remembering me through prayer and giving as I continue on this journey. And please share with me about your journey as well!

During the month of November I visited family members serving in Hong Kong, Manila, Davao City and Tokyo. I am still absorbing all that I saw and learned about the people of these East Asia countries, and about the history and future of missions in these places. My Dad was not able to join me for this trip, but I was well cared for just the same by each of my gracious hosts, Wade and Kate Simons, Jim and Linda Davis, Jeremy and Amy Simons and Abi and Roger Lowther.

Beginning in December, I look forward to seeing many of you again.  I will be sharing at Byfield Parish Church in Georgetown, MA on Sunday, December 6 (10:30 AM) , and at  Hope Community Church in Newburyport, MA on Sunday, December 13 (9:30 AM).

I return to Romania on December 28 and will then join a team of five as we move to the Republic of Moldova around January 15.

Please pray for the remaining time of sabbatical to be full of hope and peace.

Please pray for Magda, Iosif, John, Annie and myself as we prepare for an exciting time of relocation and for Adriana who will receive us in her home city, Chisinau (key-she-now), Moldova.

I will let you know more about my sabbatical after it’s over!

Thank you again for your loving prayers and generous support this year.  I have been truly blessed.

Peace and grace to each one,

Rachel