Our big outreach project this Christmas was cookies. This is not a Panamanian tradition, and our friends and neighbors love to try these delicious novelties. Kris spent several weeks making as many varieties of cookies as we could with the supplies we could find. Then, we printed up a brief Gospel message and Christmas wish "from our family to theirs." We passed them out in all the stores and businesses that we frequent in Aguadulce and Pocri, and the Police Station. Then we passed 
them out to all our neighbors up and down both sides of our street.
Not only were the cookies well received, but many people stopped immediately to read the note that we had placed on the top of each one. Although no one has come to discuss the message, several people sopped by with Traditional Panamanian Christmas food. As we pass them in the street, or shop in their stores, they seek us out and incresingly want to visit. We thank God for these opportunities.
This year we were ready to celebrate, not only our traditions, but also some of the Panamanian ones. On Christmas Eve at midnight, everyone goes out in the street and shoots off fireworks—big ones! For at least a half hour it sounds like we’re under heavy enemy fire. You can imagine what fun this is for boys. We were prepared, this time with our own arsenal, and Josh especially could hardly wait to begin the celebration.Then, after a late night, while the town was hushed in slumber, our boys were up Christmas morning to open their gifts. (They tried to tell us that since we live in Panama, they should be able to open them at midnight like everyone else.) Two of our teens came that afternoon to see Paul and Joshua’s gifts and spend the day with us. They even practiced their English with our family back home on Skype. The one thing
that sticks in my mind the most about the day was when Josh said, “Christmas is for-giving. Get it?” It was in response to something Paul had said. That’s really what Christmas IS all about, and it’s why we’re here. We are the messengers of God’s gift of Forgiveness.
The other day, when Paul accidentally broke his last pair of glasses, we rushed to the local eye Dr. to see if he could get in and how soon he could get a new pair. To our amazement, she took him immediately, and BEST OF ALL, she told us that his eye 
(only one is bad) had improved and could continue to get better! Praise the Lord!!! She indicated that a new lens could be made in a week or less, but they had contacts in stock and he could walk out the door with one immediately. (What a thrill for Paul, who's been wanting a contact since he first got glasses.) What started out to be difficult situation, turned into a wonderful day for everyone! God is Good!
A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit the neighbor's mother / grandmother in Penonome, a town about a half an hour from here. She and most of her 13 children live along the
Did you remember to decorate your car this Christmas?
We are sorry it has taken us so long to post these things. Being ill isn't something to write home about, so we haven't. But we're getting notices that you are concerned. We have been struggling with health issues for a while. Fortunately we have a very gracious Dr. here in town who even makes house calls when necessary. PTL! We seem to be feeling better, though Kris' thyroid problem is far from solved. She sees the specialist in about a month.
