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|| Newsletter Archive ||
Christmas Letter 2005
Have you ever wondered what Joseph and Mary used to transport their clothes and all the other things expectant couples would gather for the soon new arrival? Surely they brought a car seat for the trip home! And newborn diapers, blankets, and blue onesies (they knew it would be a boy even before ultrasound!) would surely not be forgotten. How simply the Bible says that Jesus was “wrapped…in swaddling clothes” and lying, not in a collapsible and donkey transportable Graco crib, but “in a manger”. Simplicity to us, maybe, with our technologically advanced mindsets, but probably very normal and routine for the poor in the culture of that day. With little fanfare, except to those humble shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem who saw the heavenly hosts, the Christ came to “seek and to save the lost”.
The Zak-Pak has been blessed to have so many loved ones encourage our hearts on this 7 month “mid-field ministry” time back in the USA. We have often been living out of suitcases during our travels to many churches, but we have been given a home away from home at Sarah’s folks in New Prague. We thank God for their willingness to open their home to so many of us for so long!
Many of you have been praying for Sarah and we thank God for a successful surgery and a swift recovery. We also thank God for your prayers and your care for us during this time. We especially are grateful for First Baptist of Faribault and Saltwell Road Church of West Virginia as they understandingly made adjustments and rearranged meetings with grace.
A quick family update:
Benjamin - 16, enjoying basketball at Prior Lake Baptist School, driver’s ed, and making college plans.
Nathan - 13, recently made 6 fantastic pottery pieces, taller than his older brother, still working on his violin and piano.
Caleb - 10 (11 on the 30th), wants to be an archeologist, having fun making snow forts on the farm.
Luke - 10, went to Shriners and got new braces, will have to have leg surgery at 18, loving school.
Cortney- 8, having fun with her girl friends at school, “sang” a Christmas song in sign language.
Jacob - 6, playing with cousins has been his highlight as well as “doing homework” (can you believe it!)
Josiah - 4, knows snow now, not a baby anymore, forehead bruised from having too much fun.
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African Churches Rooted and Built up in Him. - Col. 2:6,7
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