Merry Christmas! With Thanksgiving coming later this year it just seems like time is moving so fast. I hope you were able to find some turkey wherever you celebrated Thanksgiving.

My trip to Bolivia and Paraguay went great. I had an interesting two-hour experience with immigration in Bolivia, but everything turned out fine. It was a joy to spend time with each of our missionaries in Bolivia. God has used them in a great way to reach people, train them and start churches. My heart was blessed to sit down and visit with each of them. The Leatherwoods are our only missionaries in Paraguay. They have been there for 41 years. Would you pray with me for someone to answer the call and go work with them? There are so many opportunities there and the people are receptive to the gospel.

Be looking for our office Christmas card. Mike Esquibel did a great job designing it. Please remember to pray for us as we serve you.

The holidays away from “home” are not always easy. The sounds, the sights, the smells and the lights are usually not the same except perhaps inside your house. Memories of the holidays can trigger homesickness. The lack of certain foods and decorations can make the holidays challenging. Here are some things to remember during the month of December.

1. Many people are praying for you. We are praying for God to provide little touches of home for those on the foreign field.
2. Watch Christmas programs online. Isn’t it great that we can do this these days? Church programs will be a great blessing.
3. Take time to read through the Christmas cards you get and concentrate on who sent them and what they mean to you.
4. Arrange zoom calls or Facetime with family and friends during these holidays and make it times of joy, laughter and love.
5. Go over the list of supporting churches and individuals and thank God for them during these holidays. Pray for them as well.
6. Plan to tell the Good News! One way to be encouraged as you are away from “home” is to take advantage of the gospel opportunities these holidays provide to share the reason for the season.

Thank you for staying faithful to your calling and may you experience the joy of the Lord as you share with people who need Jesus Christ. You may only be “home” in your memories, but you are a part of God’s family all around the world. Merry Christmas!

Your friend,

Jon