We all looked forward to the Christmas holidays. We had church services both on December 25 and 26. On the first day, we had a morning service at 10.00. After the service we fed the kids before they went caroling. We had 10 of them. They were all very excited.  Some of them were going for the first time. We stared to carol from one part of the town to the other. We visited fifteen homes. Some of the people were Christians and some were not.  The older ladies were the happiest of all as it was the first time to hear carols for some of them. I could see tears of joy on their cheeks.  While they were happy to see the children, they were also sad because no one else ever visits them.

The children could see how they lived as some were very sick and had all kinds of disabilities. I told the children that life went by fast and we should cherish our youth and families. They learned the lesson of being content with what they had.

In the evening, all the youth went caroling to the unbelievers. We had around 15 people. We visited almost the same people we had visited the year before. While we were leaving a yard, a man stopped his car right in front of us. We recognized each other. We had been to his place the year before and he had videotaped us. He invited us to come to his store and sing carols for the people working there. He videotaped us and they all rejoiced.

We visited other people as well.  Some of them were teachers. They gave us sweets and some even tried to offer us a drink. We told them we couldn't drink alcohol. They were surprised to hear it but we also told them why. It's been a blessed time.

On December 26 we had a church service too. All the people who wanted could stay until 3 p.m. That is when we had a carol concert. We had sent invitations to several people. The church was full a few minutes after 3 p.m. Many parents of the kids that are part of our project showed up. They were there for the first time. They all stayed afterwards to have a cup of tea and some cookies. The room had been nicely decorated for Christmas.

On the 28th of December we had our last meeting with the women. A lady from our church taught us how to arrange a table in a nice way. It's been something new and interesting.

All the youth from our church were invited to go to Baccaliea, Causeni. The ministry there was started by a missionary but the village seemed to be very reserved. They started by offering English lessons. The mayor of that village asked this missionary to bring a group of people to sing some carols and he called us. When we got there, we saw a big building that was so cold, even colder than outside. Before the actual program, the lady mayor invited us to the only room where there was heat. She wanted to thank us all for coming. We were surprised to see people coming in spite of the cold room. When our turn came we sang several carols and the people joined along. After the program, the lady mayor offered us tea and cookies. The missionary from that village told us that words like Jesus and Hallelujah had never been said there before. We had the opportunity to proclaim the Lord's name in that place.

We used all the money we had when we went caroling to buy food for the New Years so that we could all celebrate together. The preparations took two days. On that day, pastor Igor shared an encouraging message and talked a little about the year. We had a meal together and then a
wonderful program. Each family had something.

Right after the holidays, I got sick and stayed in bed for a week.  Friends from the church came to visit me.

On January 10, we had a Bible conference. It was about the New Testament. I wish I could have attended it but I had to help with the cooking. The speaker, brother Charles, encouraged us, by saying that what we were doing in feeding the 30 people was an important ministry too.

We continued the ladies ministry. We talked about Rebecca, how she got married and her life after that. We focused on prayer. We saw her husband praying first, then she asked the Lord about her children. We learned that we sometimes want everything and want it fast.  We may even try to give God a hand. But God always keeps his Word and fulfills it in His time. We should trust Him all the time.

We continued our lessons and to learn Bible verses by heart with the children. One Wednesday we came to church and shared that we came to pray and to know more about Jesus. I suggested that each child should write a letter about what Jesus meant to them personally. I look forward to reading them all.

I thank God for all of you who pray for us and provide for our needs. I don't deserve it.  It is His grace. God bless you!