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Merry Christmas 2024!
Dear Family and Friends,
As we gather in the warmth of this beautiful season, our hearts are full of gratitude and joy for the many blessings we have experienced throughout the year. This Christmas letter is a celebration of God’s goodness and the ways He has worked in our lives and through us.
Jon continues to enjoy his work with the Center for Serving Leadership, training leaders worldwide from the comfort of his home office. The continued opportunity to equip international leaders with tools to serve and inspire others brings him immense joy. He traveled to DRC/Tanzania for a couple of weeks of training. In addition, he has been actively involved with the EMM board, which led to a memorable trip to Thailand and Laos—a time of connection, learning, and sharing.
Loice has been deeply engaged with the Swahili-speaking community of New Americans, (former refugees). While walking alongside these families as they navigate a new chapter in their lives has been a powerful reminder of resilience, hope, and the beauty of cultural exchange, it has created a fire in Loice to see this community thrive in Lancaster. She is eager and willing to share with anyone who would like to listen to the vision the Lord has placed on her heart. She is also nearing completion of a Master’s degree in leadership!
It is a gift of this season of life to support our children with our prayers and love. They are scattered from an hour from us (Josh and Rachel with two girls), to Baltimore (Elizabeth) and Alabama (Joseph and Joylie). We enjoy praying for them in this season in the glow of advent candles and an electric fireplace!
Our greatest joy has been the time spent with our precious granddaughters. (see many photos!) Their laughter, curiosity, and zest for life fill our hearts with delight and remind us of the beauty of childlike wonder. Our oldest, Rory, 4, loves to go to our “secret room” a crawl space entered through a hidden door in our coat closet and spend time playing down there. She recently started preschool. Niah, 20 months, is learning to stop and pray. It is adorable to watch her stop talking and extend her hand, and recently when Grandpa prayed too long, she played with Shosho’s (grandma’s) necklace while repeating “Pray, pray, pray!”
Another gift of this year has been the joy of having family spread across the globe. Our family in Kenya is thriving and we were with the entire group for Christmas last year. We have other extended members of our family in other parts of the world (a niece and family in Costa Rica; a nephew and family in N. Africa). Our connections with loved ones in various parts of the world remind us of His blessings as we wake up to life each day.
We celebrated milestones as well, including birthdays and our 37th wedding anniversary at Niagara Falls in November (photo alert!). The beauty of the falls mirrored the awe and gratitude we feel for the journey we’ve shared over nearly four decades of love and commitment. Standing at the falls Jon said “Nobody ever stands here and says “I am great!” It is our God who is the Great One!
This year, we found opportunities to serve in our neighborhood, sharing love and encouragement with those on our street. There are a couple of families who moved in with young families. It has been delightful to be their surrogate grandparents.
Our church has also been a source of inspiration and growth, as we’ve seen God move among His people and expand His kingdom in the midst of some painful losses of 2 members this year. For the past two years we met in a city rec center just across from the apartment building that is our focus. Recently, that space was no longer available and we moved back into the apartment building where we used to meet where we continue to pray for God’s kingdom to come. We have members of the church who are connecting with new residents, and planning snacks and church celebrations, visiting those in the hospital and, nursing homes. A women’s bible study group has been meeting for some time and recently we launched a men’s group also. It has been a privilege to be part of this vibrant community with incredible diversity economically, socially, politically and spiritually.
Through it all, our hope remains firmly anchored in Jesus. He is our constant source of peace, joy, and assurance, and we look forward with anticipation to the blessings He has yet to reveal in the year ahead.
May this Christmas season bring you the light of His love, the comfort of His presence, and the joy of His promises fulfilled. We are so grateful for each of you and the ways you enrich our lives.
With love and Christmas blessings,
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