Praise!   Patrick received his PNG work visa stamped into his passport on January 6th.  Thank you for praying!   This has been an issue since March of last year when Patrick was unable to renew his visa and then instructed to apply for a new one.  Finally, he is all set to return to PNG  for 8 weeks on January 28th. Pray for Patrick as he teaches the book of  Romans and Principles of Bible Interpretation to 4th and 5th year students at CLTC.  Pray for Jan as she continues teaching and caring for the family.  She would love an uncomplicated 8 weeks while Patrick is gone. 🙂

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Maryland with Mark and Julie and their boys.  Above is “Aunt Karis” with nephews Luke (10) and Dylan (12).  Normally,  Mark and his family meet us in Ohio and we celebrate with Patrick’s extended family.  However,  Patrick’s uncle, Harry Trabue, went to be with the Lord early in November.  When Patrick became a Christian at age 22 and knew he needed to leave Las Vegas,  his Uncle Harry and  Aunt Irene (Patrick’s mom’s sister) opened their home to him.  Patrick lived with them for 9 years while he attended Bible College and prepared for the mission field.   Uncle Harry was a quiet, gentle, generous man who is greatly missed by his family and friends.   Please pray that the Lord will comfort Irene and the family.

Karis and Jan volunteered to help “Friends of Refugees” with a children’s Christmas party while the children’s parents shopped for new Christmas presents at greatly reduced prices.  Due to safety issues for the refugees we could not post pictures of them online.  However, we were very encouraged to see this ministry in action and all the different people groups who are meeting at Clarkston International Bible Church.  (Side note: This is the church that Jan’s mother grew up in and where Jan’s parents were married.)

Celebrating Christmas with the Colcords – Mimi and Pop with 10 of their grandchildren and 3 of their great-grandchildren.

Kristin was able to give free guest passes to Jan and Karis to attend the annual Passion Conference.  Wow!  50,000 young adults ages 18-25 attended the 3 day conference that included worship with Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, and David Crowder and  Bible teachers such as John Piper, Francis Chan, Christine Caine, and Beth Moore.  Jan was very humbled and challenged by special guests  Jay and Katherine Wolf who are on a difficult journey but using their suffering to minister to others.  If you want to know more you can check out their blog Hope Heals.  Praise the Lord for Jan and Karis having the time and opportunity to attend this conference.

Kristin is halfway through her internship with Passion City Church. She is learning a lot and loving city life. Praise for the ministering and serving experience Kristin is having.  Pray she will be clear on the next step God has for her when she completes her internship in May.

Benjamin has completed a second semester of college online with UNG – Gainesville.  He is currently schooling part-time  and looking for part-time work.  Praise for the progress he has been able to make in school.  Pray for a safe, healthy work environment for him.

Karis is in the middle of her junior year of high school. She is starting to think about SAT’s, AP exams, and college.  Yikes!  Praise for her dedication to work hard and do well in her studies. Pray the Lord will guide her as she begins considering college and career options.

That’s all for now.  Next update will cover Patrick’s time on the other side of the world.

ISAIAH 54:10