HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!
Dear Ones,
We send many happy and heartfelt greetings from Texas. We have had our first CHRISTMAS family reunion in 17 years...where we are all together! What a joy and what a tremendous blessing. We hope you have all been able to likewise celebrate a wonderful and heartwarming Christmas. We also want to thank each of you for the year that passed. Together we have been able to impact many lives and bring many hope, love and encouragement as well as a new outlook on life!
Family Reunion:
In front of the tree with our precious daughters, granddaughters, son-in-law and the family dog!
We went for an outing to San Antonio, about an hour’s drive away, and saw the famous Alamo and went on the beautiful River Walk!
Bringing Christmas Cheer:
Visiting Sir Lowry’s Pass with a loaded van before our trip!
A special big THANK YOU to SA Sweetlands who assisted us with sweet for 300 goodies bags for the children of the village.
We were also able to bless numerous families with delicious ducks for their Christmas celebration!
Here are the sweets for goodiebags for 300 children in 7 daycare centers in Sir Lowry’s Pass, sorted and ready to be delivered.
Time did not allow for us to present the bags ready-made. (Seen above is a sample of the bags.)
Fellowship:
Christiaan leading our last united fellowship before our Family Reunion, and preparing to fill the gap.
Philip and Emily called in several groups of children from the street to pray for and encourage them.
There was also plenty of sandwiches for the children in the street.
Family Sweets:
Making Christmas sweets with our youngest granddaughter (middle) and her friend.
Baking ‘klejner’ a Danish Christmas cookie that is twisted through the middle to form a ‘knot’ and deep fried like a doughnut.
Christmas morning—the children enjoying the traditional hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy sugar cane! Relatives of our son-in-law came over as well and we enjoyed a lovely time of fellowship!
In closing we again want to thank you for the year that passed. We eagerly anticipate the year to come as we pursue all that the Lord has laid on our hearts: Opening our own Bible school in Sir Lowry’s Pass, following up on a empowerment program, while continuing to seek to improve living conditions, provide basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene supplies, etc.
Until then we wish you all the best and pray that you may be rested and refreshed for the great things ahead for you in the new year and that all your dreams may be fulfilled!
With much love and appreciation,
Philip and Rita.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!