I'm sure it will come as no surprise when I tell you that I started feeling much better last Wednesday afternoon as that was about 6-8am for most folks in the US. Thank you for making a difference in my health!

It seems my weight loss ends where it began last year about this time, and I thank you for praying with me through the year. Thank you, too, for praying with us through 2003. May you and yours have a joyous holiday season this week!

To those celebrating the Western date of Christmas tomorrow, we wish you a Merry Christmas and offer this as a holiday tradition:

"As a part of your Christmas celebration this year, we suggest taking your children to a ghetto, to a hospital, to an orphanage, to an old-age home. Teach them the meaning of giving. Teach them it is foolish for us to spend money on things we don't need, and on things that others don't need. Let them spread joy to those who are miserable! Let them give a smile to an old woman's face, whose own children have forgotten and abandoned her in a convalescent hospital. Let them empty their piggy banks and send the money to missions and the poor. Let there be giving! Costly giving! Let us give our Lord Jesus the whole world for His birthday! The world and the Lord await our response..."

BTW, I received an update to last week's story on Fuller Theological Seminary, in case you're interested:

Thanks to all those who responded about Fuller Theological Seminary's project with Muslim leaders. Thanks to your information, we were able to do everything from read the actual press releases all the way to dialogue directly with the public relations person at Fuller. Turns out that, as is the case with many rumors, the "legend" had become larger than life. True: Fuller is launching a study on the impact of recent events, along with that nature of the conflict between Islam and Christianity. And ... true: for the purposes of the study, the participants (all very high level in each respective faith) have covenanted together not to seek out conversion during the project. However, it is important to understand that the position being taken by Fuller is a very specific one, aimed at all situations relating to the *project*. As for the rest of Fuller's teachings in the School of Church Growth, they remain intact... and those profs. continue to teach those disciplines. It's only this specific dialogue that is affected. Again, thanks for the input! For more information, see the article here.

Finally, I saw something Tuesday afternoon (23-Dec-03) that made my stomach ache: the wall. We can now see the divisive wall from our front porch. I think I'll put a page on our website so you can see the 'progress' as we see it. Check back frequently as I hope to add new pictures and various links related to the wall.

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ We had received pictures of Scott's youngest sister's sonogram showing a 20 week old baby girl, Katelynn McKensie Segar. Scott's sister is 25 and has been cancer free for almost fourteen years. She was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma when she was 11 and lost part of her hip as a result of surgery, so you began praying that the remainder of her term go well... so far, so good : -)

+ Scott was hit by what he said felt like the flu (headache, chills, weak stomach, aches, lethargy) and asked that you pray for his full recovery... within a few hours of sending out last week's Wednesday Weekly, things improved : -) Thank you!

+ The Bible Society was to have a special gathering last week, and we had hoped to attend (health provided), so you joined us in asking God to be glorified through this event, especially that His Word would be made known to those who have yet to hear... Shirin and Jasmine stayed home to nurse Scott back to health so, unfortunately, we had to miss the much needed event.

+ Jasmine's "Christmas Play" was last week, and she is still excited! You prayed that she would enjoy the play and what it meant... one of the most exciting comments she made was, "My friends and I helped people know Who Jesus is." She thoroughly enjoyed the play, and we thank you for praying over her.

+ Shirin and a co-worker went to the orphanage to make final plans for the Christmas Party, and they asked that you pray with them that God's love will be shown and accepted through the party... they thank you for your prayers and give the following update: "We were able to plan, buy, and wrap gifts as well as have the party in this past week. It was wonderful as the girls sang and played the recorder for us while we were able to read the Christmas story from Luke 2 to them. I told my co-worker that this was the first time these girl had ever heard the true Christmas story. Thanks to special donations from a few church groups, we were able to buy socks, toothbrushes, crayons, a book about Jesus' birth, another book about God, and of course some candy. I only wish you could have seen the smiles on the girls faces as they really felt special at the party (I hope to have pictures in the near future). We also made sure that the girls know that Christians in America love them and are praying for them."

+ Shirin and Jasmine helped with another children's Christmas party in Bethany last weekend, and you joined us in praying that the children and parents will accept God's love gift of salvation... they also thank you for praying as they report: "We had a great time decorating the children like funny Christmas trees. The children watched a video about the birth of Jesus. Once again many of the children at the party had never heard the true story. Praise God for the seeds that have been planted!"

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< As we slow down the pace this week, join us in asking God to keep ourselves ready for every opportunity to share the Good News of His-Story.

<>< Pray that 'the wall' that separates Palestinians and Israelis from the family of God would be broken down by those who will share the Good News.

<>< Pray with us that as we go to the Shepherds Field this week that Jasmine's faith and belief in God and His message will grow and become hers personally.

<>< One of your brothers in Gaza sent this late Tuesday night: "I have been not working for two years, So will you please pray for me to find a suitable job, and send my prayer request to the people and churches." I trust you'll join me in asking God to answer his prayer.

>< Pray for the Mzab Berbers.>

CALENDAR UPDATES

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17, reliable utilities

* The electricity only went off twice today, each time for an annoying 3-7 minutes; fortunately, I had turned off the computers and back-up power supplies due to the rain.

18, Jasmine’s ability to learn in Arabic

* She's doing remarkably well, and we believe your intercession is making a difference.

19, more people to hear God’s word

* I believe more people have heard due to the abundance of opportunities available. Thank you for praying.

20, travel safety

* More and more are we grateful for your focused intercession. Today was safe : -)

21, more workers

* As I sat in the midst of a "Christian" community, I saw the vast potential for more workers.

22, Ali’s salvation

* Salvation didn't come today, but thank you for praying!

23, Hanni’s salvation

* Salvation didn't come today either, but thank you for praying!