December 17, 2009
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Dear Friends,
Salaam! Salaam means peace. We are entering into the season of celebration of the Prince of Peace. I was reminded several times last week of Isaiah 9:6 when Isaiah is prophesying about the child that will be born. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…”; these verses are for all of us no matter what culture we live in. Every culture celebrates the Christmas season through different eyes. This Christmas I get the amazing privilege of seeing Christmas through five or more different cultures’ eyes. Food and tradition might be different, but do you know the one thing is that stays the same? Yes, Isaiah’s message, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…” It is the same message no matter who it is for. God sent His Son to us. Did and do we deserve it? Definitely not (Romans 3:23)! Jesus is our gift of grace!
A couple of things have happened since my last newsletter. The Christmas play was an absolute success. You can see my blurb about it on my blog. I have learned that it does not matter the costumes or if people walk right through the performance and get up right into my little actor’s faces. The message is the same. God showed us the ultimate love by sending His perfect son to die for us all. God reminded me throughout h the program that the most important point is that the children understood that gift of love.
School is officially finished. We have successfully finished our first year as Emmanuel Christian Academy. Praise the Lord! Now it is summer break. Sorry, I know you all are about to experience Christmas break and snow. Not here. We are experiencing summer and dry season!
I will be enjoying my holiday break visiting with friends in Uganda and Kenya. I am really looking forward to this long break and being able to learn about other ministries that my friends are involved in.
When I return in January one thing will be different. I will return as the only American. Many of you received my quick prayer letter informing you of new plans for Tara. After two in half years of ministry in Yei and Goli, Tara is heading home to get married. She did not come to this decision lightly, but much prayer was involved. We were and are still praying for another AIM partner for me. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me with in this new situation.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and pray that you will remember the child that was born to us, … “our Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Praises:
First successful year for Emmanuel Christian Academy
Time I get to spend with friends
Tara returned home safely
Prayer Requests:
All of the families of ECTC as they travel for holiday
All of the new children that will be joining ECA in the January
Teachers- we are still in desperate need of teachers by the beginning of the school year
A Product of God’s Amazing Grace,
Danielle Olson
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