The seminary will be closing for Christmas on December 21st. Normally this is a busy time with the usual end of the semester pressures of completing courses, grading papers; and trying to organize personal and family lives in the midst of crowded ministry challenges. Despite all the rush to complete our tasks, and the lurking fears and anxieties, let us open ourselves to welcome the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
Family NewsOur daughter Rachel turned 12 at the end of November. She is proud that she is almost as tall as her dad! (This is as much a reflection on her dad’s height as her’s). She had bit of a problem adjusting to Lebanon when we first came, little over three years ago. Looking back we are so proud that she has come a long way. She is doing well making friends and operating in two new languages, Arabic and French. She enjoys music and learning to play piano. With our visit to the US just around the corner, she is excited to see her grandmother and spend time with all her cousins, uncles and aunts.
Sarah is busy as usual with her library work. She spent the summer months shifting the entire library from its previous location in the main seminary building, which is being renovated, to a new location “Graham House” at the far end of the campus. This house was named after Dr. Findley Graham, former President of the seminary, and a Baptist Missionary from Scotland. Sarah is also actively involved in the ministry with the Baptist Women’s Fellowship and working with the Sudanese and women of other ethnicities.
Opening the Prison Doors
One of the most encouraging signs of the leading of the Spirit this year has been our ministry among the expatriates in Lebanon, mostly Sudanese. About a month ago, 20 Sudanese detainees were released from prison. Most of these men (and a couple of women) can be classified as “political prisoners”, who refused to be deported back to Sudan for fear of being persecuted by the Islamic rulers at Khartoum. Some of these men were incarcerated for more than a year, under great hardship and deprivation. Dan, with the help of a Sudanese lay preacher Joseph, organized a joyous gathering at Fanar Baptist Church, near Beirut. Nearly 150 Sudanese men, women and children attended this service of celebration and Thanksgiving. Wek Paul, a young prisoner who spent 14 months locked up in a cell with more than 50 other inmates, gave his testimony at the service. He said, “ I never thought I would see the sunlight or taste freedom again. But I believed my God is good and he is great. I can’t tell you how happy I feel being here with you in the Church.”
With the help and contribution from the members from the All Saints International Church, Beirut, Dan is organizing “care packages” of foodstuff, clothing, and blankets for all the 20 relapsed Sudanese brethren. Most of them do not have jobs and some on the verge of being evicted from their homes. Despite the bleak winter months, and a sense of hopelessness that prevails among most Sudanese, we pray that our expressions of love and solidarity would be a source of comfort and hope.
Where fear rule the hearts of women and men,
Perfect love of Christ seem long delayed,
Christmas is waiting to be born in you, in me, in all people.