Christmas Letter

Dear friends and supporters

Yet another year has slipped away and as usual we are amazed at how quickly the time went. Decorations on the Christmas tree serve to remind us of the many blessings we have received throughout the year both in Australia and in the countries where DMI serves the deaf.

Family dynamics have changed a little with David, Ruthie and family living in Japan at the moment. The number of chairs around the dining room table on Christmas Eve won’t have shrunk any though, as we have the Oh family from Korea living with us together with Chika, a student from Japan - so never a dull moment. Lill’s mum at 93, is still doing well and will be celebrating Christmas in Norway this year. We look forward to seeing her again in the not too distant future. We have so much to be thankful for as a family.

DMI continues to be our all-consuming passion with its aim of reaching deaf people with the gospel of Jesus. This past year has seen us from one end of the earth to the other trying to fulfill our calling. From Norway to Australia to South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, we are now represented on every continent. With the increase in the size of the work comes an increase in budget, travel and workload; without your help and involvement, none of this would get done so thank you so much to those who pray, support and encourage us. God bless you all.

We have been challenged recently by the story in Matthew of Jesus calling Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water towards him. Peter got distracted by the wind and the elements around him and began to sink but, the encouraging part was that Jesus was there to lift him up and rescue him.

We too got out of the boat and committed to a huge building program in Uganda at a time of world-wide economic upheaval. For the initial stage of the building we were rescued by a wonderful donation from Norway but, the wind is howling again as we struggle to meet our commitments to each field. Pray that we can keep our eyes focused on the one who is our rescuer and provider and not sink in panic, nor get distracted by the storm raging around us.

We celebrate again the coming of Jesus, the one who stills the storms, who rescues those sinking and who helps us learn form our failures. May this Christmas be a very special one for you. Enjoy the celebrations, the family, the trimmings, the special food but, also give thanks to Him who through His Grace has brought salvation to all who will receive Him.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Neville, Lill and family