STARDATE 7 December 2010

WHAT A MONTH already!

Glen had a little accident in our leased car a few weeks back. He was going round a curve in the road - on his way to work - and the rainslick streets caused him to lose control. In spite of being thrust into oncoming traffic ON THE NATIONAL ROAD - and hitting BOTH barriers, there was not a scratch on him! The airbags didn't even go off! God is SO good! He was a little shaken up of course - accidents are like that!

THEN we went to Athens for a whole weekend because I helped with the music at Victoria and Fortune's wedding. We decided to stay in a backpackers hotel in central Athens so we could do a little sightseeing on Saturday morning. Only trouble is, we got a PARKING TICKET so had to spend the morning finding a safe place to park.

The wedding was lovely - here's a shot of Lori (Pastor Rick's wife), Fortune, Victoria, flower girl Abigail and Glen and me. It was VERY wearying - started about 3 hours late - and Pastor Rick AND Zsolti were ill so Miss Lori was running ragged - hey we all were.Sunday, we did Kid Zone (some of the kids had been up late at the wedding so were VERY whiney - it was rough!) and picked up our mail and headed home. All the way here (remember it's a 2.5 hour drive), I was dreaming about sitting in our cozy home with the Christmas lights, watching a movie and sipping hot chocolate.

WELL this is what greeted us on arrival.WE WERE ROBBED! As near as we can figure, it happened in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Still not sure how they got in the metal downstairs door - but it is obvious how they got in OUR door. The door frame was totally ripped off - but have a look at our mezzuzah!

It could have been SO MUCH WORSE! They were obviously looking for money and quick sell jewelry. This is the contents of my top 2 dresser drawers - notice that ALL my wallets had been opened - and tossed. Yes, they took all the gold that was in my little case - BUT I had my precious pieces with me and for some reason, they overlooked a few irreplaceable treasures! All the costume pieces (and I have a LOT) and my silver box were untouched.

This is the floor in front of the dresser - all my clothes were dumped - so I spent the next few days washing everything they touched!Glen's dressing room is where our filing cabinet is - all files were on the floor. They bounced my sewing machine around and threw out all the sewing kit - WHAT A MESS!

But again - it could have been SO MUCH WORSE! They left our cameras, electrical items, computers, laptops - an amazing thing!

And now, we have a new security sensor light outside AND are in the process of getting an alarm system! WHEW!

We're going to Abu Dhabi for a week over the holidays so it will be a relief to know the house is better protected than it was. Of course, my MAJOR concern was the cats. With the house doors open, it is a huge miracle that they were still inside. They were VERY traumatized but they were HERE and safe! THANK GOD!

Now, we're getting ready for Christmas. The Kid Zone kids were working on music for the puppet show - but my main puppeteers were busy with their little one in hospital for a week - SO we're just going to sing a couple of songs and forego the show this year.

I'm making cookies for the African fellowship here in Patras. They told me they now have a pastor and are having their first ever Christmas program this weekend. We will take photos for sure! These are the ones I call the "DVD guys" and they are most precious to us.

We also now own 1100 bowls, lids and spoons to begin a winter feeding program for the LOTs guys. There is a strong possibility that some of them were involved in this robbery - who knows! But no matter, the devil will NOT stop us from showing God's light to these guys who so desparately need help. Glen and I have been sick for almost a month - passing a cold and what seemed to be WHOOPING COUGH back and forth. We haven't felt safe in taking food to anyone - but this weekend we will see how the new program is received.

Still no official word on our work situation. Unofficially, we have been told that there are positions open in Morocco and Egypt - but we haven't been given anything in writing. Keep praying.

We are in the final days of Chanukah - the feast of lights. Pastor Larry said something that really touched me - Jews all over the world are celebrating Chanukah (1-8 December this year) but the ONLY place this holiday is mentioned in our Bible is in the New Testament (John 10 - Jesus was at the Feast of Dedication) - Chanukah means dedication! It's a glorious 8 days of miracles to remember God's provision. Tobey and I started trying to learn about Chanukah in the late 1990s - just didn't really understand til now.

So as we think about how He has delivered us from evil this past month, I hope and pray that you will give some time to thank Him for watching over you and yours!

Love from our house to yours - you are in our prayers!

M