Boy, what a busy time. We have had one thing after another happening. Every week we have had a Christmas get together. One was with the hearing ladies which I gave a devotion at and then another was with the younger deaf ladies and then on Christmas we had one for the older deaf ladies which I was unable to go to. We had a wonderful Christmas. We had friends over for the afternoon. This Christmas has been pretty difficult for me. I have been really missing family and friends. But praise the Lord that He has never left me. It's nice to have such a wonderful Heavenly Father that is always there to comfort. Isn't He Good!!!
I wanted to say thank you so much for your prayers for Andrea. He has come to church the last two Sundays. Praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to Pray for Nina (the American girl here) as well. She came to church with us on Sunday. After lunch she and I were able to have a really good talk. She had lots of questions. Please pray that the Lord will show her need for Him.
On Sunday I was able to sing my very first song in Russian Sign Language in deaf church. I don't remember ever feeling so nervous. My legs were shaking so bad and my hands too. That's pretty bad when you're using your hands to sing. I had to stop two times to calm my hands down. And that was all in the first verse. Ha-ha but the Lord got me through and most importantly, the people understood the song. Praise the Lord for working in spite of my shaky hands. I remember the first few times I sang in church. I was so nervous, but the good thing was I could hide my shaking body behind the podium. Ha-ha
Note: There is a young girl about 12 yrs. old that Bro. Bob won to the Lord a while back. She has a very serious problem. Her bones are deteriorating. She has to lay down all the time. Bob and Judy have received card after card for her from all over. But there are several states she has not gotten one from. It would be neat if she could receive one from all the states and even other countries. Please send an encouragement card to her. Here are the states that she does not have as of yet. *** Nebraska, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah, Kentucky, Montana, New York, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Oregon, Missouri, Hawaii, Alaska, or any other country. If by chance you don't live in one of these states but know someone that does, could you ask them to send a card? I think it would make a little girl very happy.
We had our annual teen Christmas banquet this week. Several of the teens were unable to make it, but it turned out very nice. Bob and Tony did a cat skit. It was really funny. Next week we are having our Winter Teen Conference which is being held in Yalta this year. Lots of planning but things are falling into place. Please pray for the teens that they will have a good time and will make some important decisions for the Lord. The conference will be Jan. 6-8.
I would like to tell you a big thank you for all the cards, gifts, phone calls, email, etc. You all have been so thoughtful. We truly appreciate all of you very much. We hope each one of you had a wonderful Christmas. May the Lord bless you and your ministries in a very special way in 2005. Thank you for all your prayers.
Dawn's Desk