Tonight Leah and I head home from our 6 month adventure here in Southeast Asia. It has been a wild ride and the Father has taught me much. I cannot wait to share experiences, lessons, and encouragement from my time here with you. However, that will come later. For now please lift up our flights, luggage, and mental well being as we travel. Ask for safe, on time flights, smooth connections, and no lost luggage! Please also lift up those we are leaving behind as we say goodbye and those we will get to see soon. Surround them with comfort, peace, and patience. Thank you all for your continual support. It's hard to believe it's already over but since it is I'll say one more time, "See you on the flip side!"

New Year...Changing Seasons

Since I last posted the world has celebrated several important holidays and I with them. Though holidays are different here, they of course happen. As expected the weeks leading up to Christmas were busy with programs and sharing the true meaning of Christmas. We were even able to host our own Christmas party with our English small group friends.

The holiday was merry and bright, even if it wasn’t so white. The song “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” takes on a whole new meaning when it gets up to 85 °F on Christmas Day! My Christmas Eve was spent with many friends at our supervisor’s house hosting a Christmas party. Over 150 people from their street came to sing, eat, and hear the Truth. Our friend Fran was even able to come. This was the first time in 3 ½ months I got to see her and it was wonderful to reconnect and get to share with her. Christmas was a quite day spent with our supervisor’s family. They have so lovingly embraced us as their own during our time here and I am continually amazed at the Father’s provision through them. The day after Christmas I had the opportunity to Skype my family. Since they were visiting my extended family I got to say hello to many aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was such an encouragement and a good reminder of how lucky I am in the way of family.

 

Fran (in the white) and I at our Christmas Eve party

Acting out the Christmas story- We were the animals in the stable

A birthday celebration with some friends

The day after Christmas also marked the start of our trip to a rural remote area in the northern part of our country. It is a place I have wanted to see for many years now. For six days, Leah and I with our local friends Erin, Pam, and Nora* traveled together through the mountains- spending time in several towns and villages. In this area it was cold, very cold. For the first time in 5 ½ months I wore a jacket, socks, gloves, and a hat! Though cold it was a wonderful time. Our adventures included motorcycling through the mountains, meeting a spritely 108 year old man who danced for us, fellowshipping with many of our friends’ relatives, and spending over 52 hours traveling by bus and van. We enjoyed the hospitality of so many people and I continue to be amazed at the generosity of those who live here. New Year’s Eve was spent on a bus back to our city. We rang in the New Year by counting down in our seats and wishing our neighbors a Happy New Year. Luckily, at 12:00 am we happened to be traveling over a bridge in a larger city. The sides of the bridge were lined with young people celebrating and lighting fireworks. Though a small and unexpected celebration, we were happy for a bit of a party in the midst of a very long bus ride.

 

On top of a mountain- it was cold!

Us with our friend Erin at a local new coffee shop.

This post I’m going to forego the cultural corner section. I’ll be home soon enough and will be happy to share about any aspects I haven’t covered that you are curious about.

Some final requests:

The first is a praise to the Father! The last time we visited our friend Dee Dee and her husband we got word that her baby is completely healthy! Though still a little small, its legs have evened out and everything is on track for a normal delivery. The Father has shown His power and we are grateful for it. It has been wonderful to be able to share with Dee Dee and her husband how so many in His family have been lifting them up. Thank you for speaking to the Father on their behalf. Please continue to lift them up as we share in these last weeks and as the Truth continues to sink into their hearts.

We have finally been able to reschedule our trip to a big religious site in the south of the country with our friend Mary Beth. If you remember the earlier trip was cancelled due to flooding in the area. On January 4^th (that’s the 3^rd for you!) we will be taking a one day trip down to this special mountain. While there we will visit a very holy place and have the opportunity to ask many questions about the main religion here to our friend. Mary Beth has heard the Truth but has not yet become a part of the Family. Please lift up this time we have together. Ask the Father to open her eyes to see the lack of meaning in the motions of those around us and to understand the freedom and relationship He wants her to have in and with Him.

One final special request is for our friend Fran. It is my hope that we can see her at least 2 more times before we leave. Throughout our time and conversations here, she has heard much of the Truth and also been a part of a fellowship with the Family. As we wrap up with her, we are asking the Father for open doors to continue sharing and to help her reflect and process that which she has seen and heard. Please lift up Fran and ask that our times will be filled with His presence and guidance.

We now have exactly 2 weeks left of our time here. It is bittersweet knowing that the end of this season is so close. It will be so good to be in the arms of family and friends in the U.S. again, but very sad to be leaving the family and friends I have found here. These next few weeks will be filled with goodbyes and a final push to complete the Father’s will for us here. We still have some traveling to do, many visits to make, and some last minute work to finish up. Please lift up this time and myself as I walk through it. Ask for discernment, diligence, and peace in leaving.

Thank you all again for your love and support. It means so much!