A Christmas Meal

"For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "From now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:33-35

The Sunday before Christmas, they came to our home to eat an American meal. There were twelve ladies, two teenage girls, and one younger girl. They were dressed up in their beautiful, brightly-colored dresses and headwraps. They had a wonderful time visiting with one another, teasing each other, and laughing. They ate lots of salad, spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic bread, and apple crisp. Their stomachs were full, but most of their souls were empty. Only four are followers of Christ.

As we traditionally do with our family, we read the Christmas story from Luke 2. We read it in their heart language, Wolof. Then, one of the believers shared her testimony of how following Christ pulled her out of a life of sickness and fear in another religion and the rituals of her ancestors. She told the ladies how her life is now peaceful and full of joy. The ladies all listened intently, and when she was through, they had many comments and a few questions.

We want to ask you to pray fervently for the eight non-believers who were with us. Pray that they will listen to the stories from the Bible on the CD's they received. Pray that they will have dreams of who Jesus is, and that they will not be afraid to ask questions about the religion they have followed their entire lives. Please pray also for our two good friends from Crystal's English class who were unable to attend, Anna and Mary. Anna has now heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and has many questions. Please pray that we will have wisdom in answering these questions.

Also, we have some friends who are not Senegalese, but with whom we have become very close. Chad has had a few opportunities to share his faith with the husband, as Crystal has with the wife. They have a beautiful baby, and last night as I (Crystal) held her, and saw the portions of their holy book pinned to her dress, I realized that she has no one in her home to tell her about Jesus. I prayed over her, but I would like to ask that each of you would pray that this family will come to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We thank you so much for your prayers for us and for our work here. We thank you for your financial support as you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program. You make it possible for us to continue each day in the calling that God has placed on our lives. Many days are not easy, but we know that God is faithful, strong, and able to help us.

We pray that you have had a blessed Christmas, and that you will grow in the fullness of God's love throughout 2008.