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We will be in Indonesia for the 33rd time in the past 39 Christmases, remembering the coming of our Savior into the midst of the mess sin has made of this world. [Actually Dennis was in the US one other time on Christmas day, but we had our family celebration before he left for a meeting in the US.]
For 24 years our Java Christmases were busy with Church activities, often with 4 or 5 services on one day and the season stretching from late November often deep into January. Dennis was privileged to preach the truth and beauty of the coming Savior up to 25 times per season.
For 12 years in Sulawesi surrounded by non-believers, we often celebrated quietly with just a few friends, a meal, a few small gifts, and a time of quiet worship.
This will be our third Christmas in Ambon. In November Christian sections of the city began sprouting “gaudy fake” Christmas trees. The blaring music our generous neighbors share with the community are often English Christmas songs, with an occasional carol. It is amusing to see Muslim ladies with the full head covering, selling Santa hats and fireworks. Dennis has accused the Ambonese of longing for war, since the fireworks fill day and night with the war-like sounds. There will be extensive family gatherings and much socializing, surrounding over-flowing Christmas eve worship services in most churches. Our local mega-church is renting the soccer stadium for a late night Christmas eve worship. We hope to bring some joy to people on the streets as the 24th fades into the 25th.
As has often been our practice, we have randomly selected a day, and declared Friday the 27th our family Christmas which will likely include a visit to a local beach.
We hope to see many of you when we make a quick trip to the US mid-January through mid-February. The purpose of the trip is a visit to Lynn’s oncologist in Savannah, to make US ICE* happy, and to have a meeting with the Java Directors. We also look forward to visiting with our family, especially our mothers. Lynn’s mom is finding the chemo she is taking a very “trying experience”.
Dennis has agreed to speak at a partnering church following the Directors’ meeting on the 24th. We will be at Millers Academy Christian Church in the Bremen/Carrollton area on the 26th.
*ICE (the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) are the folk who allow folk to enter the US. They are the ones who threatened to take Dennis’ Green Card if he were not in the US more.
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