We won’t remind you of all the things we already know - of time passing, of Jesus coming soon, of New Year’s changes. Praise God that He has given us time and power to change in the Holy Spirit.
I (Joan) spent another Christmas and New Year in North Carolina with our college young men and helping Susanna and Matthew deliver their second baby on December 26th. PRAISE GOD for the safe delivery of Lukas Caleb Schrock, 9 pounds, 13 ounces; 21 and a half inches. Lukas means “light, bringer of light”; Caleb means “faithful, wholehearted, and brave.” May God bless him to fulfill his name.
While Joan was suffering in the winter weather; Dan, Lydia, Rebekah, Esther, and Gideon were in San Pedro with all the end-of-the-year ministries. First, our Christian school joined with our church for a closing Christmas program outreach on the Wednesday before Christmas. The children sang and recited the Christmas gospel of Jesus; we distributed tracts, snacks, and door prizes; and Dan preached and shared the Gospel clearly and plainly. Our role is to give out the Word and PRAY for the seed to take root.
On Christmas Eve, we had an evening service where we sang Christmas hymns, enjoyed a bit of fellowship, watched a film about the birth of Christ, and shared a short challenge from God’s Word. It was a good time with our church people.
New Year’s Eve in Africa is warm, and the church family loves to get together. After the morning service, everyone stayed and we ate together. One of our church ladies prepared delicious food and everyone got full. Then we had a New Year’s Eve service starting at 9 p.m. and finishing a little after midnight with singing, testimonies, a Christian film, a challenge, and ending with fireworks.
Praise the Lord, after many bumps along the way (If you want full details, just ask.), Joan has returned safely to San Pedro. Our church school is back in full swing after the holidays. Pray for souls to be saved from all the seed planted.
Happy New Year. We are LOOKING for Jesus, but OCCUPYING until He comes.
Pray more, meditate on the Word more, and witness more in the new year.
Thank you again for your faithfulness in praying and giving so that we can be here! We appreciate you and pray for you as well!
In His grip,
Dan and Joan
