“God promised that someone from David’s family would come to save the people of Israel, and that one is Jesus” Acts 13:23
Its been great to celebrate the coming of Christ here in Santiago Chile. They do it in style here, attending church in their masses (sorry…no quasi-religious pun intended) and then having family parties. There was a real buzz of excitement and anticipation of the birth of Christ, particularly in the streets. Walking past, the sound of laughter and joy was very encouraging and uplifting!
But it has been a difficult time for us and our families. We have missed the traditions, the games and the laughter of our own family get-togethers. Although we enjoyed a fantastic christmas meal with an “adopted” chilean family on the 25th, i think we’ve both had our grumpy times and our down times! Their coincidence yesterday led to some disharmony and upset, but, later, to forgiveness and reconciliation, following the example set by God himself.
Anyway, some short prayer requests:
Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and many answers to prayer- for uplifting us when we’ve felt down or depressed, for energy for Rachel and patience when the computers at work are “down for maintenance”, for bringing us through disagreements and for the fun we’ve had singing and attending church
For guidance as we furnish our flat and protection as I try to wire light arrays on the walls and ceilings (rented flats don’t have these included)
For protection as i drive a hired car around Santiago! I’m quite anxious about this and about my levels of patience with other drivers (limited even in the UK!)
For refreshment and fun as we explore areas close to Santiago- Lago Rapel, Cajon de Maipo, Vina Concho y Toro
Pray that a mess up in our air freight billing might be resolved soon and that we would be able to get a progress report on our sea freight to avoid buying duplicate items for the kitchen etc..
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December 27th, 2005 at 5:09 pm
Hello my darlings,
Unrelated to your post of today, I’ve been wondering (Doug) if you’ve had time to look for jobs lately in between those all-important photoshoots of Timbo? I also thought in a moment of contemplation; (yes I do have them occasionally!) that Doug you’d be really good at teaching university students whether that be English, Geography or Transport Economics (though I’d recommed the latter 2). Have you had any more thoughts about that possibility?
On a totally different note, has been totally spangly (a.k.a. tres, tres bon!) to see your extended family lately at various wee soirees. I am implicitly a loyal fan of theirs and feel I genuinely love them like my own tribe.
Talk to you soon Mr and Dr Gilmour!
Joy x
December 28th, 2005 at 12:47 pm
Hi Doug & Rachel
Good to hear your news from Santiago. Good to hear that you had a family to spend christmas with, though I can understand it being a bit tough away from home. I had a chilled out Christmas down at my sisters, Beth is now pregnant and expecting in August which is quite scary - I don’t know what scares me more, little sis having a baby or me becoming an uncle!! Anyway, it was good to see them and Mum and Dad again, although Dads plan to fly the plane up backfired slightly when he had to spend an hour brushing snow off the wings before it could take off to fly back! However, they made it back safely, and I am now back at work in edinburgh. Hope things are going well in the new flat and that my parcel arrives. Happy New Year if I don’t speak to you before. take care for now
Chris