Happy 2008 and a belated Merry Christmas!

Christmas tradition in Guyana isn't complete without new curtains, paint on the wall and major housecleaning (called 'packing up the house'). We blended in with the culture and then added some of our own traditions such as hosting our Ministry Parties, sharing cookie plates with all our neighbors, filling Christmas stockings and feasting on Christmas Eve. We attended church on Christmas morning and had a choice of attending a Baptist church at 4am, Faith Community at 5am or the Wesleyan Church at 6am! Guess which one I attended?? Yes, the 6am service was nice and finished by 9am.

MINISTRY PARTIES
We were blessed by a friend from North West Territories in Canada who called one day to ask if we were holding our annual Christmas parties for the less fortunate. As I didn't have time to fund raise and prepare, we did not plan any. She then promised to fund our parties completely if we would do them. What a wonderful answer to prayer! Where did we party??

Bethel Boys Home had a party complete with gifts and dinner for each boy and the houseparent. The boys were so excited and were made to hunt around the house and yard for their gifts. Most importantly, each young man was prayed for and ministered to.

The Rumvelt Children's Home and Care Centre for 15 children with AIDS/HIV. Each child received a gift, played games, ate some cake and had fun!

Georgetown Public Hospital AIDS Ward Our team went to the AIDS ward bringing Good News, Food, drink and gift bags filled with needed toiletries. We sang to each patient in their beds and one man drummed to the beat on his coffee creamer container with a big smile on his face. One young lady Kaylee was so thankful to receive a gift and kept asking "For me? For me?" We assured her it was and she just smiled. We knew her time was short as her lungs were filling with fluid but we sang her favorite carol and two of our staff were able to pray with her. She assured them she knew Jesus and wanted prayer for pain. As Emese prayed, the pain disappeared! Unbeknownst to us, Kaylee was the daughter of a friend of ours who did not have a chance to talk to her before she died so it is a joy to be able to share with her father what her final hours were like and the joy in her face.

Public Hospital Childrens Ward We purchased small gifts for approximately 50 kids. We shared gifts, blew up balloons and spoke and prayed with parents of the sick kids. It was fun. At the request of the nurses Christmas carols were sung to the kids.

Holy Family Seniors Home We held parties for the two homes in the compound. Thirty seniors clapped, sang, shared stories and poems with us. I'm not sure who had more fun, them or us! Food and gifts were shared, including the greatest Gift of all, Jesus! We shared the Christmas Story with them and prayed with the ladies.

Afterwards we as a staff went to dinner and really enjoyed each others fellowship. With remaining funds we bought baking supplies and baked dozens of Christmas cookies and delivered cookie plates to our neighbors. Blessed to BE a blessing! After all of this… I came down with a good case of 'gastro' for the entire Christmas break. I was sick for two weeks and had to see a doctor who prescribed antibiotics. Unfortunately I couldn't indulge in all the Christmas goodies but still had fun.

Update on our work permits As a mission, all our foreign staff members apply each year for a work permit in order to stay in Guyana. This has never been a problem until now. All our foreign staff were denied extension on our work permits and told we had to leave immediately. I appealed this and we were given three months more. Once again I appealed to the Minister of Home Affairs and asked for a longer extension and an explanation to our sudden denial. Pastor Bert Denny, one of our board members and I were granted a meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs himself. We were shocked at the reception we received as we were immediately put on the defensive and were subject to a very difficult meeting. I was told that I was not owed an explanation as to 'why' we were denied and who was I to ask? After he learned I have been in Guyana for over 16 years, he told me that was too long and I should be finished. He told me to prepare to leave. Both Bert and I were shocked at the kind of treatment we received but could only take it to the Lord, knowing that "the heart of the king is in His hands." We may be given another year to stay but as I write are still waiting on the final word.

What's up now? I received an invitation to a conference called Call2all in Orlando, Florida the end of January. It is a historic gathering of key leaders of over 200 organizations who will strategize together about finishing the great commission. After prayer, I feel I am to go although it is a financial stretch but I feel this is a key meeting.

Moving forward… We continue to move forward and not shrink back! Our first Discipleship Training School out of Parika left for their two month outreach to Suriname and the Island of Curacao. We have a great group of students and staff who have just begun this venture. (I'm actually enjoying some quiet moments at home!)

Construction continues. Our concrete bridge is now finished! Recently we received a couple of generous donations and will begin construction on our new building. Like Nehemiah, we continue to work with one hand on the work and one hand on the weapons of our warfare. We have five full time staff (plus Tim, Beeno's son).A family will be joining us the end of February. We are growing and it is an exciting stage for us.

Please continue to pray for us. Lord, may Your Will be done!
Pray for: Our students on their outreach. Some still are in need of finances for the flight to Curacao. Pray God will use them during these next two months for His glory.
Pray for our Work permit situation. May Gods will be done. I know the Advisor to the President who it also a pastor and is petitioning to the President of Guyana on our behalf.
Pray for my health. I've been battling 'gastro' for two weeks now.
Pray for Gods continued favor for us in our neighborhood, ministry, construction and all we put our hands to do.

Thanks for partnering with us and praying for us.

Blessings and love

Kim