FROM MARILYN AT GRACE PLACE, SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Ones,

It's early in December and we've already had our big Christmas events for the year. Since the schools close for the year about the 9th of December and all businesses connected with the building trade close about a week later for a month, we've learned that it is best to have our events before everyone gets scattered all over the country for holidays.

For us here in Vaalwater/Leseding, the big event was our annual Christmas Party with about 1300 children attending. It was great! This was our first year to have a nativity play and it was directed by one of the high school girls with the Bible Study group she teaches called 'Revolution'. These kids are very excited about the Lord and worked hard on the play.

The most interesting thing to me was that Gabriel came in 'flapping his wings', then slid into the room (like someone sliding into first base) and gave Mary a terrible fright. Then Joseph had his turn at being frightened, and then the poor shepherds were trembling with fear. But, they all got God's message and came to worship the baby lying in a manger (basket).

The food was all organized and cooked by the Waterberg Academy, the local primary and high school. Teachers and students came along to help at the party - and much thanks to them for all their help.

My neighbor, Dita, was there helping to keep everything organized - what a blessing she is!

In the process of planning the drama, I discovered that Maria and several of the youth had never read the story of the birth of Jesus and did not know it. And, these are youth who are committed to the Lord Jesus and to living for Him. I don't know how we could have missed teaching such a foundational truth as the virgin birth of Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man. We have since had studies on the subject beginning with John 1.

I now have Samuel (Mbilizi) Kibasomba with me for two weeks. I have known him since his family came as refugees from the Congo about 15 years ago. His older twin brothers, David and Daniel, have both done internships here at Grace Place. The first day he was here I left him by the Kid's Club in Leseding where a bunch of the youth were hanging out, studying the Bible and having prayer meetings. When I went back after 3 hours, they had all had a three hour Bible Study and a prayer meeting. And then we were ready for Kid's Club - the last one of this year.

I can't tell you how excited I am about the youth being excited about the Word! It truly is an answer to many prayers for several years - at last they are reading and comprehending and enjoying God's Word! Thank you to all of you who pray for us and especially for them!

Last week-end I drove two interns, Becky and Sonja from Austin, Texas, to Johannesburg to get their flight home to Texas. It was good to have companions. They had just spent about 10 days with me. We had a lovely time together! During their stay here, they spent most of three months at The Fold helping with the children.

While in Joburg, I got to go to the Modern Dancing program in which my two youngest grandchildren performed. And, I was able to be there for the Bethlehem Day which Cathie organized and directed. It was outside at their church with a Roman village and a Jewish village, camel and pony rides, a sharvarma supper and then a nativity play inside the church with all the angels and lambs, shepherds and wise men coming to worship the new baby Jesus. As usual, it was delightful!

Kathleen and Connie were there with the Kid's Haven kids, so I was very blessed indeed!

Today after church, I brought 5 of the youth out. We will have the Lord's Supper together this evening, and right now they are studying I Corinthians

15 and II Corinthians 5 so we can read and discuss this afterwards. The boys are great in helping to cook and to clean up afterwards.

I think that Connie's last party is today and then the rest of the week we can concentrate on getting everything ready for Morne' and Jackie's wedding on Saturday. We're looking forward to a joyous occasion. Please pray for all those travelling to be here for the great event!

We've just had a couple of days of soft rain and the tree frogs are happy, making their 'blooping' sounds.

I pray that you have a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year - being blessed by the One who came to bless the whole world. And, how blessed we are to know Him!

Love in Jesus,

Marilyn