Jan. 1, 2008

January prayer letter

Dear friends and family,

As we write this in the middle of December, we are still anticipating our first Christmas with the children in Galati. Carols fill the halls of the center and hand-made decorations have been hung by the children. December 23rd & 24th we will spend the nights running all around the city caroling with the children. Then on Christmas night we will join the children for the traditional sleep over at the center, complete with a meal, singing, movies, and presents for all. Also, our college friend Kevin Wright will be visiting us during this time. We have much to anticipate this Christmas.

We are entering into a season of transition. We are sad to see the McAvaddy family leave on December 23rd. After the birth of their third child in late October, they felt it would be best for their family to not begin their next contract. Our community will certainly feel their absence and we are mourning this loss. Please pray for our community and for the McAvaddy family as we move through this season of transition.

Another large change is that we have said goodbye to our first Servant Team. Ryan, Nathan, Kate, and Elizabeth spent four rich months with us as they allowed God to teach them about life and love and service amongst the poor. We spent a few days of debriefing in the mountain village of Brosov and said goodbye at the airport on December 15th. They were an amazing group and we are thankful for a great experience with our first team. They maintained a spirit of humility and willingness to learn and we see how God has truly spoken to their softened hearts. Thank God with us for the gift of this season with this team.

Our next team arrives in August. We are excited about the possibilities for how we will spend our time until then. We are beginning with more intensive language studies during the month of January. Please pray that this time of studying will be fruitful for us. You may also pray that God will show us where He wants us each to invest our time over the next several months.

We pray that you'll all have a special Christmas. May we continue to prepare our hearts to receive Emmanuel and journey into this new year with the love, peace, joy, and hope of Christ.

With love,

Robin & Joshua