Dear Prayer Partner,

When you think of December, what comes to your mind – snow, vacation from school, Christmas programs, family gatherings, a whirlwind of activities, exhaustion, or the fact that God sent His Son into the world that He might make redemption possible? I hope that the most important thing to you during December is the birth of the Christ Child – God’s gift to mankind. Below is a poem that expresses my desire for each of my readers.

Christmas Wish

by Pollyanna Sedziol

May you know the truth of Christmas

That Jesus Christ is King,

Both in a lowly manger

Where heavenly angles sing,

And on the throne of God

Where hosannas ever ring.

May you know the love of Christmas

Made incarnate on that night,

When Jesus came to live with men

Bringing hope and light;

Atoning, healing, giving life,

Conquering wrong, enthroning right.

May you know the peace of Christmas

That Christ alone can give,

Not only in your home

And daily as you live,

And onward to life’s eve.

But hourly, weekly, yearly,

May you find Christ in everything.

To you and every one of yours . . .

May the warmth of Christmas cling

As you give and then receive,

May you know the joy of Christmas

Joy that only Christ can bring.

Bolivia

      Praise:       

      — Four young people were baptized the last Sunday of October.

      — The repair work on the mission house is nearing completion.

       Prayer: 

      — The Elmer Sánchez family will be traveling to Guatemala this month for their annual visit with family and friends.

      — Guidance is needed for making improvements in the Bible institute program.

 Dominican Republic

      Praise: 

      — A boy near Hato Viejo asked for prayer and later reported to the pastor that God healed him.

      — David and Marilyn Middleton are thanking God for His help in recent trials regarding the work in the D.R.

      — Construction for a local primary school was delayed until a group of believers prayed at the designated property, and now construction is progressing well.

      Prayer: 

      — A pastor is concerned about a wayward son who recently left home.

      — Pray for the weekly youth services that are held in K-32.

      – The Los Prados church in the capital city needs revival. 

Egypt

      Praise: 

      — God blessed the pastors’ conference during the latter part of October.

      — Pastor Mo’Omen began services at Om Bioumi during November.

     Prayer: 

      — Samuel, a Bible college student, is endeavoring to start a church in Abo Rgela.

     – Several of the new churches are asking God to supply the materials they need to complete their building projects.

     – The Bible college director wants to increase the size of the college library

Eritrea/Sudan

      Praise: 

      – Six new believers were baptized and one baby dedicated in Sudan on the first Sunday in November.

      — The new congregation in Juba, southern Sudan, now numbers more than twenty believers, and God has provided a place of worship for them.

     Prayer: 

      — The believers in Sudan are searching for a place where they can have services for large gatherings.

      — They also are seeking permission to work under the umbrella of a government-recognized church organization.

 Guatemala

      Praise: 

      — Fourteen new children have enrolled in the bilingual academy for the new school year starting in February.

      — God helped Maria Hunsaker throughout this year as she ministered in Vacation Bible Schools and other children’s ministries.

    Prayer: 

      — Several regional church conferences will be conducted during December.

      — Cesar Rodriguez, the new Bible institute director, will be starting his duties this month.

Honduras

      Praise: 

      –Zack and Sarah Robberts are thanking God for His protection while traveling through dangerous areas in Honduras. 

      — New churches are being established.

     Prayer: 

      — The national church will be holding its annual conference and camp meeting in December.

      — Violence is escalating, and the national workers and missionaries need God’s constant protection.

USA Hispanic Ministries

      Praise: 

      — The church in Stamford, CT, is growing.

     Prayer:

      — The rent where the Trenton, NJ, congregation worships is increasing. They are asking God for direction regarding the purchase of their own church building.

Homeland

      Praise: 

      — Praise belongs to God for supplying the many needs of Evangelistic Faith Missions throughout 2011. 

     Prayer:

      — Pray for God’s help to Marc Sankey as he prepares to start working with Evangelistic Faith Missions in January.

      – Continue praying that the Matching Fund challenge of $50,000.00 will be met by December 31.

Trusting God for answered prayers,

Ronald E. Smith, Prayer Letter Editor

Merry Christmas from my wife and me to all the faithful prayer partners of Evangelistic Faith Missions. May you have a Christ-centered Christmas season!