Praise and Prayer for December 11, 2009

We held a Christmas party for our Sango group at our house last evening. We were 21 in all, including 9 children. Although one of our regular attendees was ill, there was a family with two children who we met for the first time. Our goal this Christmas season had been to provide the group with an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus together while enjoying fellowship and deepening relationships. While some were still arriving after 8 p.m. (we started at 6), it seemed to us that before everyone had left after 10:30 p.m., the Lord had richly blessed and helped us to reach our goal. We would love to see the visiting family return and more regularity in the attendance of some of the others. Pray that the Lord will work in hearts and give a hunger for spiritual things.

This Sunday afternoon our church will be having its annual Christmas program. Each of the groups in the church will be participating through music, skits, Scripture memory or readings, a Bible study, and refreshments. We have been working with the SS children, the choir and the Sango group to prepare their contributions to the program. This special service provides an opportunity for members to invite friends and acquaintances to see and hear (many for the first time) the Good News of the Savior born in Bethlehem. We have invited several of the teachers in the children’s schools as well as some of the other parents. Please pray for this special outreach this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (our time).

Praise for:
- the good turnout for the Sango Christmas party last evening and the profitable time together.
- the invitations to Sunday’s Christmas program that have been given out.
- Caleb’s healing and return to school this week, though his asthma continues to bother him.
- the life of Aunt Alice Lathrop (Jonathan’s Dad’s guardian) who entered heaven on Wednesday morning at 99 years of age.

Pray for:
- last minute preparations for the Christmas program and that the Lord will bless each contribution to the program.
- the Lord to prepare hearts of those who will be in our church for the first time this Sunday and that our lack of space will not pose a problem!
- good health for each of us, especially for Josiah.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).