Another highlight this month was celebrating Christmas with the kids at the La Yaguita Child Development Center. It was especially fun because we didn't have to plan it! The youth group from Central Bible Church here in Santiago did all the work. It was their idea to collect gifts for the kids and put on a party. There were about 60 kids there. Orly did not want to leave when it was over.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Silent Night, Holy Night
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were two wonderfully quiet and relaxing days for us! It's not just that we're getting old--we've always enjoyed the quiet. However, tranquility is not one of the core values here in the Dominican Republic. We live behind City Hall, directly across from the special room that they rent out for parties. In addition to the usual parties, this year, in a gesture of good will, the city manager transformed a flatbed truck into a rolling stage with huge speakers to broadcast Christmas cheer in the wee hours of the morning to the neighborhoods of the city. After an hour or two of practice behind our apartment, the band rolls out about 4 a.m. each morning during the holidays. Thankfully, the Lord provided us an escape--an opportunity to house-sit across town for fellow missionaries.
So we're grateful for the peace and for a slower schedule the last few days. December has been a month of nonstop activities. In the weeks leading up to Christmas we attended four special dinners--each celebrating a different ministry of the Dominican church we attend (women's ministry, couples' ministry, a celebration for everyone involved in ministry, etc). For each group it was a time of rejoicing and thanking the Lord for what He had done throughout the year. It's fantastic to hear people tell about how they have changed and grown in the Lord. Church just keeps growing as people invite their friends and family.
The basketball tournament is finally over--Bob's team lost early. The Yellow Team won. (I forgot about the special dinner celebrating the basketball victors--that makes five.) We were thrilled to see three of the players, along with five other new believers, be baptized this month. Please pray for these young men--Miguel, Antony, and Ezequiel.
We also had a special dinner with several of the Haitian university students, before the last crew turned out the lights and left for Haiti for Christmas. Two Haitian couples are to be married in Haiti during the Christmas break. We enjoyed doing pre-marital counselling with both of these couples.
As the New Year approaches, may the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
So we're grateful for the peace and for a slower schedule the last few days. December has been a month of nonstop activities. In the weeks leading up to Christmas we attended four special dinners--each celebrating a different ministry of the Dominican church we attend (women's ministry, couples' ministry, a celebration for everyone involved in ministry, etc). For each group it was a time of rejoicing and thanking the Lord for what He had done throughout the year. It's fantastic to hear people tell about how they have changed and grown in the Lord. Church just keeps growing as people invite their friends and family.
The basketball tournament is finally over--Bob's team lost early. The Yellow Team won. (I forgot about the special dinner celebrating the basketball victors--that makes five.) We were thrilled to see three of the players, along with five other new believers, be baptized this month. Please pray for these young men--Miguel, Antony, and Ezequiel.
We also had a special dinner with several of the Haitian university students, before the last crew turned out the lights and left for Haiti for Christmas. Two Haitian couples are to be married in Haiti during the Christmas break. We enjoyed doing pre-marital counselling with both of these couples.
As the New Year approaches, may the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
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