Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas



“When Christ came into the world, He said… ‘Here I am…I have come to do Your will, O God’…and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…Therefore, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10).



What an awesome and humble sacrifice of glory and pain, so we now have the ability to come boldly before the throne of God. Thank you Jesus!



We are now 3 months into our 4^th year in Uganda, and feeling blown away by the privilege we have had to see God move in miraculous ways here! This past week, we traveled to Gulu then South Sudan. This was my first trip to South Sudan and I had the opportunity to visit Magwi, where our office is located. It was sad to see the countenance of the people there – the devastation they’ve faced, however would leave me surprised to witness anything else. As most of you know, not only were the 3,000 LRA rebels stationed just north of the area; abducting, killing & wreaking havoc on the area; but also South Sudan is only 6 years out from their own 22 year civil war with the powerful North, and only 5 months into their existence as the world’s newest country. Constant fear of attack, giving up of one’s children to be soldiers, loss of family, friends, and property, were a daily occurrence. Even today there are frequent battles along the oil rich boundary between the newly formed country and their neighbor to the north who they gained independence from.



Carl and I plead for your payers for wisdom in how to best reach South Sudan with healing and salvation. It is a much larger country, expensive to travel around and to, the roads are insanely poor, and there are so many tribes speaking different languages with tensions that rise high. We long only to follow Christ’s specific plan, and for Him to show us how to use every cent of His money wisely.



After traveling from south Sudan to Gulu, we had the privilege to meet several of the women that Carl’s team is currently ministering to. They all have facial mutilations from the LRA. Cut off lips, noses, ears, and burned bodies. We had an amazing time, of worship and dance with them as they expressed their gratitude for the emotional and spiritual healing they have received! Their kindness and smiles were contagious.



The girls and I minister at a hospital nearby and we are excited to have a Christmas party with the children next week. God has been amazing us with His miraculous works there! I cannot tell you how grateful I am that my children have the opportunity to bear witness to His reaction to prayers offered in faith! I shared with some of you, that our 5 year old friend with bone marrow cancer was released after months in the hospital. They had maxed out on chemo treatment of her, and there was nothing more they could do. She left with 15-20% cancer still in her marrow. We were crying out in faith for her, believing that God was able to heal her and guess what? A recent test showed no cancer! She is going to school now and her hair has grown back! Another little boy with a distended stomach, full of fluid from liver shut down laid day after day without communication with us. We were told that all of his organs were probably shutting down, and his situation was bleak. God healed him, and he is now released from the hospital and attending school. We have another horrifically abused friend that has been in the hospital for almost 3 years being released this week. How can one not believe, hope and trust in a loving Savior like our God??



Family life is good. Emma and Grace just celebrated their birthdays and are now 8 and 12. Judith is now 15 and our 7 month old grandbaby, Elijah, is growing healthy and busy! Judith continues to parent him well and Emma and Grace adore him! We have a busy homeschool day, as Judith is now homeschooling and Elijah wants to be… I would so appreciate your prayers!



We are so grateful for you – thank you again for all that you do to make this ministry possible! Know we are praying for you often.





With much love,



Carl, Julie, Emma, Grace, Judith & Elijah

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