Dear Friends,
As I write we are in the midst of a busy December, as I imagine you are as well. Over the past few Sundays, the children have been visiting the different evangelical churches in Galati and ministering through song, poem and Scripture. They have been a blessing to the churches. Our prayer is that their song and service will flow from a deepening love of God.
The children are also preparing a Christmas pageant for their families. Besides learning songs and sketches, they have also been working. They have been digging the garden, turning the compost pile, raking leaves, sweeping the walkways, and many other jobs. You're probably wondering why they are being so industrious. Well, if they choose to work, then they can earn presents to give to their siblings at the pageant. It is a delight to see the children give that for which they have worked. For some of the siblings, it will be the only gift they receive for Christmas. Please do pray with us that God bring the families to know Him.
As has become tradition, we spend a few evenings caroling in the children's homes and in other families that are connected to our community. We start at about 4 p.m. and go until about 11. Although it's a little exhausting, we are thrilled to announce the Good News to those that are used to bad news. There is something that happens in the spiritual atmosphere when 40 kids burst out in song in the midst of darkness and poverty. You can pray that God would bring transformation in these places of great need.
On Christmas day we will have an all-night celebration for the kids. We will enact the Christmas story and then have an evening of games. At about 10 p.m. we will have a feast and then open Christmas presents. Our prayer is for the kids to be blessed and to personally experience the love of the Father that He expresses through the gift of His Son.
In mid January, Lenutsa and I will be visiting our community in Sierra Leone. Magda will also be traveling with us on her first visit to another WMF field and her first time out of Europe. Fani will also be coming with us, but we are leaving him there. We're not trying to get rid of him; in fact, we'll miss him greatly. But Fani is sensing that God wants him to minister among the poor in a different country and Sierra Leone is on his heart. So, he will stay for three months, serving with the community and discerning his future steps. Do pray for Magda and Fani as they walk through this experience. Pray that they will see more of God's heart for the world and for the grace to process the brokenness that they will see.
While we are in Sierra Leone, we will have the opportunity to spend a few days on a retreat with the community. They have asked me to lead some discussions and exercises on ministering in a multi-cultural community. Please pray for me and for the Sierra Leone community.
On our way to Sierra Leone, we will spend a weekend with some friends in England. It is always a great encouragement to be with them as they are faithful friends and supporters of our community. Pray that we too will be a blessing to them while we are together.
We pray for you that the New Year will be one of blessing and deeper intimacy with the Father through the Son and in the Spirit.
With love,
david and lenutsa