Dec. 1, 2007

December 2007 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,

Ask and ye shall receive.  I've been overwhelmed by your response to my questions from last month's letter.  Thank you so much for taking the time to write.  Your emails have been both encouraging and helpful as I think about how to best continue communicating with you all.  I think I've gotten over a dozen emails in the last couple of weeks, so I can't even come close to including all that you have written, but here are a few samples of what you had to say:

• I most like hearing about the lives of the children.  It helps us to know them.
• I liked hearing what your responsibilities are and how they have changed.
• The children's names help me to pray for them.
• I actually felt especially connected with this current letter.  The questions gave me something with which to interact.
• I wouldn't mind hearing more of the "ordinary" day-to-day life stuff.
• I would like to hear more about how you are doing personally.
• We really like getting the letters monthly, but every other month would be ok if you feel it is better.
• Is there any way you can include some pictures?

Like I said, there is much more, but this gives you some idea of the responses.  I'm especially encouraged that each one of my different kinds of letters was mentioned by somebody.  I like writing with a bit of variety and it seems that you enjoy that as well.

My plan, at least for now, is to continue writing every month.  Almost everyone who wrote to me said that every other month would be ok, but that they really do look forward to hearing from me each month.  I can do that.  Let's stick with monthly.

Though it is only mid-November as I write, Christmas is fast approaching.  Since there is no Thanksgiving holiday in Romania to serve as a "buffer," we tend to start looking toward Christmas pretty early.  This past week the kids were already having their first practice for Christmas carols.  One of the best things about this season is having the center filled with the voices of the children as they sing about the birth of our Savior.  No, really, it's amazing.  I sometimes stop in the hallway and think to myself, "I bet Jesus really, really likes this."  I know He does.

Most of you know our Christmas program from years past.  It looks like we'll be keeping with tradition this year.  On the evening of the 23rd and on Christmas Eve we'll go out caroling with the kids.  The first night we walk around to the homes of the children to announce with loud singing the birth of Christ.  This night is one of the highlights of the year for me.  So much of my life revolves around the center now that I really like it when I get to go around to kids' homes.  Bringing the news of Christ's coming into what are often very poor, dark places reminds me of the angels appearing to the shepherds.

The second night of caroling, Christmas Eve, we will go all over the city to the homes of friends and supporters of our ministry.  You can ask my sister, Annette, and her family who were all here for Christmas a couple years back just what "all over the city" means.  Seriously, we do a ridiculous amount of walking, stairs climbing, and bus riding, but in the end it's a lot of fun.  Plus, I think it's a bonus for parents since the kids are dead tired when we send them home.

Christmas evening we all meet again at the center for an overnight celebration.  We read the Christmas story together and have a time of worship, prayer, and thanksgiving.  We play lots and lots of games.  We have an amazing dinner together around 10pm or so.  And then all the kids get to open their presents.  Usually this means one large shoebox-sized gift for each of the children.  In that box are clothes, scarves and mittens, school supplies, books, usually one stuffed animal, and a few toys.  And the kids love it.

Another highlight of each year is seeing the new kids at their first Christmas with us.  They usually aren't too sure what to think, but they certainly enjoy themselves.  And while all the kids are beaming at present time, the new kids usually have a little bit of shock/surprise mixed in with their joy.  Wide eyes are fun to see.

Please keep us in your prayers this Christmas season.  Pray that the Lord will touch the life of each child here.  Pray that they will all hear his voice telling them how beautiful they are and how much He loves them.  Pray that they will know His comforting touch and His soothing voice.  And pray that Jesus will be glorified in all we do this season as we celebrate His birth.  Merry Christmas to you all!

Love,
Paul

paul.rase@wordmadeflesh.com