Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas 2009 and Happy New Year
from Juanita Simpson, P.O. Box 1759, Pearl City, HI 96782

Dear Loved Ones,

I wish you not only Season’s Greetings, but God’s richest blessings, as well.
Now where shall we begin in looking back over 2009? Let’s start with………the
Joys:

1.) How thankful I am for wonderfully good health this past year, not only for myself, but for the rest of the family as well. Angela continues to have her struggles, but she has been better than some years in the past, and able to continue to do a lot of ministry.

2.) We have seen some real spiritual growth in the Bible Study attendees. Many new people have joined us from time to time.

3.) Prayers have been answered for some of our Micronesian friends who were in grave danger in 2009. Ponet was marvelously rescued from “certain death” Her cancer seems to be gone and she is back serving the Lord in the Marshalls. Jose, Lobo and Mark were all dangerously ill or oppressed by the enemy. Asher came close to dying several times, but he is alive, though still in the hospital. Glory to God and thanks for your prayers!

Sorrows:

1.) As a family we lost 3 of our loved ones in 2009: Walt, Rose’s father; Ruth, Steve’s mother; and Janet, my sister. We are thankful that Rose was able to spend 2 months with her father and Steve could be with his mother at the end..

2.) We also had to say good-by to dear friends. Rose’s elderly friend, Thomas, passed away. Sandy, Rose and Josiah visited him at home, in the hospital and the care home. I, too, miss my Micronesian friends whom I visited many times in their last illnesses: Pastor Panser, Frank, Tabita, Billy and Reid. I was asked to give the message at 3 of their funerals. What a joy to know that some of the above are safely in heaven.

Problems:

1.) I think this has been a hard year for most of us financially, and we are no exception. Things have been tight, but we are so grateful that somehow God has brought us through so far. We don’t like to think that we may have to discontinue our ministries to the Micronesians and perhaps move to a less expensive area. It is in God’s hands!

2.) We can’t operate our ministries without vehicles. My 94 Mazda is pretty well finished and we’re trying to sell it on Craig’s List. Sandy has had to do repeated repair work on the 97 Mini-van, but so far it is still running. We’re thankful that the big van is still O.K.

3.) On the recent sick list, Bila and Srue have been in and out of the hospital. They are both amputees with questions about their kidneys. Ioshimi had open heart surgery 2 weeks ago and is recuperating at home.

Blessings:

1.) There are no words to express how we feel about our very faithful supporters. Your prayers and financial support are the backbone of all that we are able to do. Someday we will praise God together for the victories He gave us in the lives of Micronesians!

2.) I had the privilege of teaching a Women’s Conference and preaching in Majuro. Their generosity made it possible, and many were blessed. Sandy has now been given the opportunity to minister in the same way to the men and youth of Majuro in July, 2010.

3.) Thomas (mentioned above) gave his 94 Toyota to Josiah before he passed away. Josiah doesn’t have a license yet, but it is helpful to Sandy when I am using the van for visiting.

What will 2010 bring? We don’t know, but God does. I love the song, “Jesus led me all the way…” The One who has led us till now will not fail us. We do know that Christmas will bring Cassie and her new husband Mike for 2 weeks of family fun with Sandy’s whole family. And we know that Angela’s son Kurt will be moving over here in January. And who knows? Maybe Jesus will come again in 2010 – but not as a baby. This time He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. A good question for this Christmas and New Year: Are we ready and waiting?