Dear friends,

It has been a long time since the last time I wrote. I have just finished writing 20 Christmas cards then I realize it is better to have a common Christmas letter.

I just want to greet you  and your loved ones a Happy Advent, Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

This season is a busy month. Last night we attended an International Christmas Party. There were about 100 people who participated in. We had common table for our food which represented different recipes and tastes. We had games for the children, exchanging gifts, distribution of gifts through Santa Claus, African dance, and drama on nativity and songs. I led in the singing and  all the Filipinos present sang our common Christmas carol.

There have been many Christmas arrangements going on as the month sets in. We had a gathering of our neighbours in Christiansfeld to food, talks and songs. This afternoon my Bible Study Group will be eating out in town after the Bible reading of the 9 texts and Jens will be leading the church worship in KOVA congregation in Kolding. We will have a Christmas gathering of our good friends on the 27th of this month. I look forward to this day, to open our home to our good friends in town and outside.

The school has occupied much of my time. My fifth grade class in English is joining a tele collaborative project with the students in Malaysia and Romania. The kids are happy with this venture. I did not realize it would take much time to prepare and send  and exchange documents which children make. On the process I am learning a lot. Now we are on the level of exchanging works in art for exhibitions in our respective schools. I will exhibit the art works of the students in Romania to greet the students in this school where I am teaching. Tomorrow I will be joining the Christmas party of another class where I am asked to let my pupils in music sing.It is the school tradition that during the last day, students come to church and the school choir sings.  Our Christmas holiday is the 22nd of December. I look forward to the time that I can sit down and paint.

At home things are peaceful. Jens is busy with his job at the accounting office especially that  this month at the end of  the year is the final accounting of the mission organizations` economy. Anna and Jenny continue to work in a gasoline station while keeping their studies. Maya is  the one, the one who has more time to help in the household chores. And Philip is very serious with computer work. I am amazed that a child of 14 has learned much about computer. It is from him we ask for help if anything goes wrong.

This is all for now.  I hope that Christmas will brighten your day and bring us to the memory and reality of God`s love in our lives. May the Jesus child born today can be the Kristus in our lives that brings hope, joy, love and faith.

Love,

Elizabeth