Our family traveled to South Africa for some doctors’ visits and check-ups, as well as to spend time with family, especially to visit relatives who have lost loved ones during the year. It is hard to be far from family and friends when they are going through hard times. We are so thankful to have had Mom visit us from the US, and I know Sara was grateful for the time they spent together, but sad that it felt like it went quickly. Peter and Nathan are excited for their next visit to New York.
We are taking a week away to reflect on the year we have had in Zambia, the ups and downs, and we are praying for the year ahead. God has been faithful each year to give us a personal watchword that we can hold on to even when things are tough. Sometimes we are tempted to lose hope, but we know that He who has called us by name will never leave us nor forsake us. Please pray with us. Thank you so much for your love and support that has kept us going throughout the year.
The Makwakwas 
Thank you for this prayer update and LJ has started praying accordingly. This was indeed a tiring and emotional year for you in ministry, and personally too. We were hoping Mom would stay there until her birthday (please tell her we said Happy Birthday today, if you get a chance). I’m sure you all miss her. God brought her to you when He knew you would need her most. Do you still feel strongly that you are called to Zambia? To Hands at Work? Or do you feel God may be leading in other ways? We will pray that God gives you clear Word for this next year, as well as healing from this past year. May God give you the courage to feel. I’m sharing this portion of my devotion from this morning, by Emily P. Freeman. It hit me because sometimes we rush through life and ministry, getting angry. It’s easier to avoid our feelings than to allow our hearts to break. But it’s only when we have quiet time away that our soul can emerge and speak what we have silenced for so long. love you all, Merry Christmas!Cat (and LJ and the Os)
Labeling the night of Jesus’ birth as calm and bright, naming Mary’s child as tender and mild, are just a few ways we’ve suppressed the language of the body. I wonder what else we have silenced that is meant to be heard? In what ways are we demanding our heads have all the answers, leaving little room for our bodies to make some noise? It makes sense why we’ve done it. When we know everything, we don’t have to feel anything. In the knowing of a thing, we may get angry. But it’s in the feeling of the thing that breaks our hearts. And so it makes sense we might try to avoid our hearts in exchange for our heads. What parts of ourselves have a song that needs singing, a story that needs telling, a feeling that needs expressing and acknowledged? What has been hushed too often, quieted too soon, ignored without a hearing, or silenced because of fear? Oh Spirit, who dwells with us in the fullness of our own humanity, expressed among us in community. Oh Holy Trinity, shine your three in one light in the silenced corners of our lives.
Be our safe place of expression in our own silenced nights.
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