I promised a photo of African mistletoe, so here it is! Could the colors be more perfect for the season?

This plant grows within sight of my kitchen window, and I’ve noticed it and photographed it before. A couple of years ago, I discovered that it was a type of mistletoe, and just weeks ago, I grew curious enough about it to get really close. I discovered intricate, delicate flowers! You can read about the medicinal value of its leaves if you google “African mistletoe.” Since this particular plant is growing in a lemon tree, it can be used to treat diabetes, according to “folk medicine” in Nigeria. Fascinating. Our Creator is indeed amazing!

One of my favorite writers is Roy Lessin (Dayspring cards/gifts), so I’ve included one of his beautiful compilations here. I believe it will bless you as it has me.

No matter where in the world you are as you read this, my hope and desire for you is that the reality of the presence and sufficiency of Jesus will fill you with complete peace and joy.

Merry Christmas!

This morning I found a beetle that looked like it was hand painted just for today, ready to be photographed and shared.  Psalm 92:5 in the French Bible (it’s verse 4 in English) literally says “I sing cheerily at the works of Your hands.” One French translation even uses the word “art” for “works” . . .  and it’s the passage that came to mind when I saw this wonderfully decorated beetle, with perfect designs and and complete color coordination with the surroundings!

Thank you for your prayers for me and the work here in Togo! I’m thankful for those of you who have asked how things are going. The Lord is indeed answering in special ways:

–The container we were praying about came into port and we received the needed items for our ministry without being charged a huge customs bill. We also had some of our supplies donated; we are thanking the Lord for generous friends of our ministries.
–The computer situation is being worked on; there is “computer guy” coming out here for a couple of weeks in January, and he will be bringing out one of two needed computers. The other one is coming December 28, the Lord willing! Isn’t this timing perfect? The CRC office should be up and running again before long.
–My shoulder is not getting worse, and I am grateful. Thank you for praying for the frozen shoulder to “thaw” in the Lord’s timing. I’m diligently doing my recommended stretching exercises.

I hope this holiday season is a rich blessing to you. I know it’s busy all over the world, but I still hope you will purposely take the time to rejoice in the sheer wonder of “Immanuel, God with us.” It’s such an unfathomable concept, yet it is reality, and cause for abounding joy. It’s the message I am here in Togo to share, and the one you have the privilege of sharing wherever you are.

I’ll be back in touch very soon, since I’ve just learned about African Mistletoe and have a neat picture to show you!

Dear Friends,

I don’t have lot of snake pictures in my collection, mostly because once I arrive at a scene with my camera, the creature has already been dispatched, and it does not make for a pretty photo. Last week, though, I was nearby and able to “shoot” a snake before its demise. I had a couple of “body guards” with me, one of whom is in the photo below. Both had a similarly LONG pole at the ready as I zoomed in on the mildly venemous Striped Sand snake, otherwise known as the African Beauty snake.

So . . . if you want to photograph a living snake here in Africa, you should:

1. Always assume it’s poisonous, because they often are out here . . . so you must be cautious with EVERY snake
2. Use a long zoom lens so you don’t have to get too close to the critter
3. Be sure at least one, if not two, brave guys are right there to move quickly as soon as you’ve taken your photos.
4. If it’s obviously a dangerous snake, don’t take a picture first—let the guys do their job and kill it, because it could get away (or come after you) while you are taking pictures, and that would not be good.

Have a great day, and thank you for praying for the safety of your missionaries! Thankfully we don’t see snakes that often!

One more thing: I need to ask you to pray for wisdom for me at the literature office, because I have two tired computers that are giving out at the same time. This is not an ideal situation, to say the least! I worked on a potential solution for several hours yesterday, only to discover that the computer I was setting up is incompatible with what we need to access, edit, and write our tribal language materials. Thanks so much for praying that the Lord would show me how to proceed, because He knows! I love the fact that “modern technology” is no mystery to The Ancient of Days. Try meditating on that one awhile. It will bless you!

Thankful for you!