Merry
Christmas!
Debra and I want to express our overwhelming sense of
gratitude for what you have done for us. You have poured out love and
support for us in unprecedented ways. We are sorry that we have not done a
better job of letting you know how deeply we appreciate you. Some of you
have given special large-sum gifts that we absolutely needed for this
time. Some of you have been faithfully giving every month since we went
full time with Maritime Ministries in 1996. Whatever the amount or
frequency of your gift/s, not one has been unimportant or insignificant.
Each has been a deeply appreciated expression of love from you and our
Heavenly Father. You are a special group of God’s servants. One of the
most wonderful things about this life that God has called us to is the way
that we have seen you give under the direction of the Holy Spirit. As we
are faced with a need, so very often, one of you has simultaneously been
led by the Spirit to give a gift that meets it! This has happened so many
times that 
your
obedience to God has grown faith in us. Your obedience is thus training us
to walk more fully in the faith necessary to accomplish the work to which
we are called. Thank you—a thousand times-thank you.
As you know we have been preparing to move to Long
Island to live. It has been an unusual time. We have had to be at home a
lot dealing with logistics and “getting our house in order”. Thank you
for faithfully continuing to support us even in this unusual period.
This has indeed been a tremendous year. It started with
a big move out of our home of seven years (which one of you provided) into
temporary housing (also provided by one of you). Then we spent six weeks
in Long Island jam-packed with activity. The trip involved managing and
participating with four consecutive teams which were doing construction
and ministry--all this with a toddler and Deb entering her third trimester
of pregnancy. When we returned, we moved again. 
This
time into our church’s newly established mission house for returning
missionaries (again provided by one of you!) A few days later we had our
second baby Stella! Then we commissioned our partners Rick and Sandy Redd
to begin their ministry. Over the summer we have been watching from the
sidelines as tremendous ministry continued in Long Island without us. This
was perhaps one of the most difficult things of all.
We have been diligently learning to be parents. God is
showing us that the future of our ability to minister as a family depends
a great deal on how well we do with Rachel and Stella now. This is
especially critical if we are going to eventually be back on board
ministry vessels as a family. We appreciate you continuing to support us
as we build this strong family foundation for future 
ministry
together. Deb has received some tutoring from a woman in our church who
teaches an excellent course on biblical mothering. She is working
hard to learn how to train our girls. It is going very well. I am proud of
her, and I am partnering with her in the new knowledge. I am seeing
fantastic results in Rachel’s obedience and character. It is very hard
work, but I can see that this is going to be a huge investment in the
future, both for our family, and the kingdom. I also think that God may be
preparing our family as an example and a tool for training Bahamian
families with what we are learning.
I
also completed 13 new paintings for a benefit art show. We will use the
proceeds from these paintings and prints of them to continue to provide
operating money for mercy ministries to the poor.
We are packing again. This will be our third move in
2005, and this is the big one! Together with Rick and Sandy we are packing
all of our worldly possessions in a 20’ cargo container to be shipped to
Long Island. The container will leave on the 19th of Dec. We
have our tickets now. Rick, Sandy, Rachel, Stella, Deb, and I will be
leaving by plane on New Year’s day. We were able to get the one-way
tickets for a little over $200 each. praise the Lord!
The
staff housing building at the base in Long Island is nearing completion.
The Lord miraculously provided the $35,000 we needed for materials,
fixtures, and to have it finished by local professionals. Many of you gave
specifically to help us finish. Thank you!
So many new ministry opportunities are opening up every
day that it is impossible to tell you everything that we are preparing to
do. We will have to fill you in as they happen.
God provided us with a satellite based high-speed
internet connection at the base in Long Island. So we will be doing much
more with e-mail from now on. We want to begin sending out short little
updates by e-mail. We have included a SASE and a reply card for all of
your contact info, and we would appreciate your helping us with that
information. We want to be faithful to tell you God’s Glory Story as it
unfolds in our life.
Thank you again for being God’s hand of provision in
our lives.
“ I am amply supplied, now that I have received …
the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice,
pleasing to God.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his
glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians
4:18-19
