Happy February! 🙂

Patrick has recently returned to Papua New Guinea for another round of teaching.  So…I (Jan) have the  privilege of giving the family update.  Our November and December were probably a lot like yours – lots of get-togethers.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with Jan’s extended family, then with Patrick’s extended family.  Then, of course, Christmas…

We enjoyed a Christmas party with with our “Gathering Group” from church.  The kids  were definitely into the White Elephant exchange. 🙂

(Note Karis in the background with an ice pack.  She had dental surgery that day – a dying tooth removed and an implant…results of the 2012 car accident.  We are so very thankful to the Lord that some dental work is the only remaining issue from the accident.)

Hall Family Christmas

Colcord Family Christmas

 

In January we had some significant birthdays…

Karis’s 18th

Mom’s 80th!!!

We have all been busy with work and/or school…

Kristin continues her work at Passion City Church -D.C.  She describes her job… “Every day is different and the team is small so everyone wears a lot of hats,”  and her main role is “assisting the pastor and team with all things admin.”  Presently the church hosts a weekly community group/Bible study as well as special events.

Kristin has also enjoyed exploring the capital city and doing touristy things with visiting friends.

Benjamin and Karis are continuing with school and Benjamin working at Coastal Breeze  Restaurant.  Karis is job looking right now to help with next year’s school costs.  I told her my first job was at McDonald’s but she is leaning towards Chick Fila. 🙂

Great News  –  An Open Door!

We are thrilled to be able to share with you a new ministry that Patrick has been invited to be part of.  Before he left for PNG Patrick was able to substitute teach one day at the Clarkston Bible  Institute (CBI).  The group he taught included Mang Lam from Burma,  Balongelwa from the Democratic Republic of Congo,  Will – a missionary kid who grew up in Africa and Belgium,  Michelle from the U.S., and Leonard from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The CBI website says,  “One of the greatest needs in the Church today is for trained spiritual leaders.   There is an even greater need for trained leaders to minister in the ethnic communities in Clarkston or any culturally diverse area.”   Patrick has been invited to begin teaching at CBI  when he returns to the U.S. at the end of March!  CBI teaches in block courses so Patrick will be able to teach in between his trips to PNG.

Praise:

1. Patrick back in Papua New Guinea teaching Preaching, Bible Interpretation, and Romans…and loving it.
2. An increase in students at CLTC.  Classes began on  January 29th  and they have a total of 125 students this year.
3. The new open door Patrick has to teach at Clarkston Bible Institute when he is in the U.S.
4. The outreach of Passion City Church in the D.C. area.

Pray:

1. For all the new students and their families at CLTC – to settle into a new place and routine.  Some students have been out of school for several years and being back in the classroom is a huge adjustment.
2. That the head knowledge the CLTC students are learning will become heart knowledge.
3. The right job for Karis.
4. Psalm 90:12 for all of us – that we would “number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom” – especially in the regards to our devices and especially our children. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will set before my eyes no worthless thing.”  So much time spent on screen, not necessarily on “bad” things, but on time/life wasters.  Pray we won’t settle for anything less than an abundant, engaged life overflowing with Jesus!

Thank you so much all for your love, support, and encouragement.

To Be in Touch:    Patrick and Jan Hall – pjkbkhall@gmail.com

To Give by Mail:  Send gifts to:  D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund  / 501 N. Wales Road  / North Wales, PA 19454   (Checks should be made payable to D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund and include a separate note that it is for Patrick and Jan Hall.)

To Give Online:  You can contact D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund (215-362-6611) to arrange bill pay with them.