It’s Christmas time, it’s Christmas time…. and when family members are far away, what better way than to celebrate than with friends in the neighbourhood. Steve & Lisa Klassen along with their children Iliana, Veronica & Luke hosted a party for their friends who live and play in our area and invited us neighbours to attend also.
Language can sometimes create a barrier…but what fun it is to share the birth of Jesus through a dramatic reading in which all the children participated, making paper snowflakes, singing, playing instruments and having fun with bubbles….not to mention eating sweet treats. Just one month into their 3 month sabbatical working with the Samaritan Foundation, the Klassen family is making an impact teaching ESL, working with the youth, and providing medical assistance at local clinics in the area.
Our neighbourhood promises to become even livelier with the return of all the snowbirds in the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing this time together soon, and encouraging each other in the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
May you all experience the peace and joy of our Saviour’s birth this Christmas season and may God bless you always.
In Christ, John & Jane
Language can sometimes create a barrier…but what fun it is to share the birth of Jesus through a dramatic reading in which all the children participated, making paper snowflakes, singing, playing instruments and having fun with bubbles….not to mention eating sweet treats. Just one month into their 3 month sabbatical working with the Samaritan Foundation, the Klassen family is making an impact teaching ESL, working with the youth, and providing medical assistance at local clinics in the area. Our neighbourhood promises to become even livelier with the return of all the snowbirds in the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing this time together soon, and encouraging each other in the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ.May you all experience the peace and joy of our Saviour’s birth this Christmas season and may God bless you always.
In Christ, John & Jane
Then, our daughter in law Julie had an emergency appendectomy in the 5th month of her pregnancy and has experienced some complications as a result of the surgery. She is on complete bed rest at this point and we pray for patience during her time of confinement. Paul has finally completed his education at Redeemer University College and is looking forward to starting his new job in January. In the meantime, he keeps a careful watch on Julie ensuring that she gets the required rest the doctor ordered.
And finally, our 3rd son Calvin announced his engagement to Natalie after 3 years of dating. What a whirlwind of activity in the Huizinga household has been!
Dan, our youngest son is on the home stretch with only 4 more months of school to go to complete his college education in Transportation Engineering. He is currently finishing up his 2nd co-op with the Hamilton Street Railway (public transit) and is enjoying it immensely.
I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be able to spend some time with each of our children and their spouses, and especially being able to visit with our parents and extended family members during their Christmas celebrations.
2009 has been an active year in ministry with many groups coming to the Dominican Republic to work with the Samaritan Foundation. We are now in the home stretch, with only 4 more days left to work with our final mission team of the year, please pray for strength that we may finish strong. This verse gives us the comfort of knowing that God will sustain us and carry us through. It has been a blessing to work with so many different people using their gifts and talents helping the poor, all to God’s glory.
