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OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS

This year Christmas Eve happened to be on a Saturday, and Saturday afternoon is when we have our service. After Paul had preached this special service, we gathered every one together, organized two taxis, sent the rest off using public transportation, and were all reunited again at the restaurant where we've been having our special Christmas meal these past few years (the owner is a Lebanese Christian). This year we were more people than ever - 50 children, non-resident and resident and those who've grown up and are not in our sponsorship program any more, as well as the adults working for us. Each person received a plate of chicken and fries and a drink, and the smiles on their faces said it all.

It was great spending time with those kids we don't see that often, and catching up with what is going on in their lives. We then had to organize the arduous return back home. We had hoped to get our license plate in time, but as it is, we are STILL waiting for it and so our new car is still sitting in our courtyard, waiting to be used.

We finally all made it back home where everyone gathered in our living room. We first talked about what Christmas was all about - after handing out the cookies the kids themselves had baked, sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, prayed, lit sparklers symbolizing the light of Jesus spreading through us, and then it was the time the kids were waiting for - handing out the gifts. One by one they came forward and received their gifts that they then opened with everyone watching. It was a wonderful time.

As a family, we had each drawn one person's name to give a gift to. I had the joy of wrapping all those gifts so that the recipient would not know who it came from. Besides that, every child in our sponsorship program received a bag full of goodies - from toys and candy to hygiene articles and school supplies. Thank you, sponsors and friends, for making this possible.

We had an unforgettable time together - especially those kids for who it was the first Christmas ever as they only found Jesus this past year. May we continue to grow in numbers and have even more new children next year!

Look at all the pictures from Christmas Eve here.

(STREET) KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Two days later we put on our party for the street children and neighbors' kids. This year 85 children showed up. We first played three games with them, until we had one winner at the end. They had a great time trying to grab apples in a bucket of water with only their teeth and trying to make the balloons tied to other kids' legs pop while hopping only on one leg.

Then Paul led them in a time of praise & worship, followed by sharing the gospel with them, from beginning to end. He then asked them questions to see whether they listened and rewarded them with candy. In the end he led them in a prayer of dedication to Jesus that most of them seemed to pray.

Normally we show them the MATTHEW film in Bambara, but our sound system has finally died, and another DVD player as well (they don't last long because of the dust).

But it didn't take long before their special meal of rice with peanut sauce was ready, and then they each received a drink and a pair of shoes - a most valuable gift for the street children who walk around all day long.

What a great day of showing the love of Christ to these little, abandoned children who don't know what love is!

Look at all the pictures from the kids' party here.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

We invited any children who wanted to play games with us over, but only the younger children still care to do so. We had a great time, and some time later, everyone else joined us to look at all the pictures of this past year. We became nostalgic seeing Florentin who died in September, and seeing those kids who do not live with us any more, but we also enjoyed seeing pictures of fun times we've had. We then shared the different things we are thankful for this past year, and prayed together to thank God. We also shared what we hoped to see this next year.

Then I handed out the little papers everyone wrote last year, and gave them new papers to write down their dreams and ambitions and resolutions for this coming year. Those are private and are only read by the person writing them. A few people shared what had come to pass this past year.

As midnight approached, we prayed and worshiped together, and then cheered once the new year had started, going around hugging everyone one and wishing them a happy new year. Having finished all the Christmas cookies and with everyone being tired, we all headed to bed not long after.

Look at all the pictures from New Year's Eve here.

A WORD FROM RANDY

It seems many in the USA and Europe are in Muslim phobia. Fear especially of ISIS deserves our attention. As we see in Romans 8:28, God can turn a bad situation around for His glory.

Governments do need to be wise here. They are to protect, defend, and keep law and order. But individual Christians are commanded to love our enemies. If you can't do anything else, you can pray that they find the only God of peace, forgiveness, and love.

I'm finding that many Muslims are dissatisfied with their religion, have questions, and are in fear themselves. God is putting us in awareness of millions of former Muslims becoming disciples of Jesus.

Will you join us in prayer for Muslims worldwide to become disciples of the one true God? To obey Him in their families and communities (Matthew 28:20)? Not converts to another religion. If you will specifically pray daily for us, let us know. Perhaps in your New Year's resolution?

QUICK NEWS

•        Financial Report - Every year I report the financial numbers of the past year in my first email. However, because of the house fire and our subsequent stay in the hospital and thanks to the generosity of our friends all over the world (we're so thankful!), last year's numbers are not representative and there is therefore no value in sharing them. If you have any questions about money matters, I'll still be happy to answer them.

•        Our Health - Claudia has finished taking antibiotics which took care of the tooth pain. Please pray the pain won't return before she gets a chance to go to the dentist in March. Also, please keep praying for us to have children (which would be a miracle given Claudia's hypothyroidism and stress level).

•        Our School - Our elementary school is going strong, and the kids are studying hard. Please pray for French-speaking teachers to come to Mali to relieve Claudia (who currently works 17 hours a day) as well as so we can start a first grade which is much needed.

•        Government Papers - We were disappointed not to get our license plate in time for Christmas so we could all drive to the restaurant. Please pray we get the car papers soon, as well as customs exempt papers and the papers for our organizations.

•        Malian leader Paul - Please pray for our Malian director Paul. This past year has been really intense for him, and he is tired. He'll be taking a week off this month - as soon as we've got our license plate - and it's always hard for us when he's not around, so please pray for us. Please pray also for him, especially as he hurt his foot last week and is in pain, yet needs to walk a lot (until we have the car).

•        Language Learning - Please pray for Randy as he continues to learn the local language Bambara.

•        Building #4 - We'd like to start building our next building that will service as dorms and classrooms for our elementary school in the beginning, and will be our business and workshop section later. Cost: $94,000 or 84.000€.

•        DMM - We've been introduced to the "Discipleship Making Movement" and are very excited about this great tool to make disciples and start churches. Randy has taken first steps to implement DMM, and we'll tell you more about it next time. In February we're driving to neighboring Burkina Faso for a two-day training, taking a few of our promising future leaders with us.

•        Partners - We're looking for monthly financial partners as we only have 49% of our budget covered by regular monthly donations.

•       Volunteers - Do you want to come change an orphan's life? Do you want to heal the sick? Preach the gospel to those who've never heard? Come to Mali for a season and let God change your life. No language skills needed, but French skills are helpful.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9,6)

Loving HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)