Happy 12th Birthday, Joshua!

Joshua at Auqua Palace last summer

It is fun for Joshua that he has his birthday on Wednesday, since that is Awana Club day. He will get to share cake, that mom is baking right now, with about 40 people. It will be fun. Once again we will rent a Renault car to drive up to Tunis. Since we don't have our permanent resident visa yet, we don't want to invest a lot of money in a car. Yesterday, I went alone by the train to Tunis. For more than two people, it is cheaper to rent a car.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reliable trains and rental cars in Tunisia. Keep the Farhos safe as they travel each week. Help them to get their resident visas soon.

Mike's Birthday

With a week like this, I'm going to have to start going to the gym again. Family and friends keep inviting us out to celebrate my 53rd birthday. We had a little excitement as the tornado sirens blasted and the hail fell yesterday. Joshua forced his mom to take him home and invited the neighbor in our hallway to seek shelter in our apartment. Great kid! This weekend we'll be speaking at two churches in the Lincoln area.

Heavenly Father, thank You for protecting the Farhos in the storm yesterday. Bless Joshua as he is a blessing to strangers.

Policeman needed $12

I was witnessing to two policemen who stopped me Yesterday. One said it was his birthday and he needed $12 to buy some "sodas" to celebrate. We talked for a long time. He turned 32 years old. I told him I don't give New Testaments to everyone, but since it was his birthday, I gave him one. His buddy had to have one too. They both kissed their new New Testaments and thanked me profusely. I told them they were for reading, not storing on a shelf. They promised they would read them daily.

Blessings and Peace in 2008

May your year 2008 be filled with blessings and peace!

That is the SMS message we are sending to all our friends here in Abidjan. That is our prayer for you as well. You are our greatest blessing. You fill our lives with the blessings of joy, divine protection and peace. May our Lord fill your life to overflowing with these same blessings.

Heavenly Father, give Joshua a fun day as he celebrates his 10th birthday on January 6. Encourage Mike and Sue as they celebrate their 24th anniversary on January 7.

Send us your advice, comments or prayer requests!