12/24/04 Tribal Update: Merry Christmas

Isaiah 61:1b-3
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives...to comfort all who mourn,...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

The message of hope, comfort, and freedom proclaimed by Jesus, the promised Messiah has been embraced by the Tribal people.  As this Christmas season approaches, the Tribal people will celebrate Christmas in their hearts.....

The Tribal Believers do not put up a manger Scene...
...but they are very familiar with the Christmas story.  They are totally amazed that:

• the One who came down was the same One who was there beside the Father in heaven in the beginning
•  He, being the Everywhere-One, could enter a woman's womb for 9 months
•  He would let himself be born in a cow barn that was probably smelly with manure
• He, having been Spirit in the beginning would take on a body like the people he had created.
•  He nursed from the breast of the woman to whom he had given life

They don't set up Christmas trees...

> but they know all about the tree that was stuck in the ground on “Headbone hill” to which the True Son was nailed,  the tree where the Deliverer died as His blood ran down 
They don't decorate their little palm huts to make them pretty... ...
  > but they do talk a lot about living lives that are pretty to God.  They talk a lot about their talk smelling pretty to God, and about thinking thoughts that are pretty to God. 
The Tribal don't do gifts in Dec, the month of the Sting-ray”...
> BUT they are very familiar with the gift of salvation that they have received through Christ.  And they are very familiar with the gifts of the true Spirit, the different "workings" that the true Spirit has given to each of them in order that they work for him.

As we all celebrate Christmas this year with our dear family and friends, many of our fellow Tribal believers are grieving the loss of their babies and children who died in the months of September and October caused by several bad viruses that swept thru Triballand.  This year has been especially hard on the Tribal because of a very difficult and lengthy rainy season which make their food supplies scarce.  So the viruses hit them when their bodies were weakened from malnourishment.  Our Venezuelan co-workers were very short on medications and were unable to treat so many sick children.

We praise the Lord for providing a doctor and nurse to make a trip into Triballand to bring much needed medical expertise and supplies.  We also praise the Lord for so many of His people who gave funds to pay for the emergency flights,  and for the food and medications needed.   What a relief it has been for us to hear that no more children have died since these supplies have been provided.  And we ask you to pray that the believers keep their trust in Jesus who binds up the brokenhearted, who will comfort those who mourn, and who wants to clothe them with a garment of praise.
Josh and Josie are expecting their 3rd child the end of December.  According to the ultra sound this will be a sister for Spencer and Mitchell, and our first grand-daughter!  Maybe we will have a Christmas baby!   She is fondly being referred to as “sidekick”.  Thanks for your prayers for a safe delivery. 
Jodi has safely returned from Israel and is with us here in Canada for a brief time with Merrill's folks before we leave for California tomorrow (Mon.) She has been overwhelmed with all that she has seen, heard, and experienced living in this very special place, and would like to go back!!  She has related to us the following:

---“If I were an Israeli, I would be so incredibly proud of my country.”
---”There is so much culture and history.  There is a story behind every stone.  The people are so intriguing too, as a blend of cultures collide in such a small location.”
---”This semester of living and studying in Israel has been one that has impacted my life the most. “

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.  May this season be one of joy and peace as you celebrate the One who clothes us with “a garment of Praise.”

Love,
Merrill and Teresa