Seasons greetings from the nations. ONE.

Ever think of what it looks like to have a Christmas with 300 family members from over 40 nations?. I have seen it... its a bit of work but the heaps of fun makes up for it. Below are just a few pictures of our pre-Christmas season... so far. Hopefully by the next post you can see more festivities and more people.. In the meantime - Merry Christmas!

Annual Carols by Candlelight, hosted in beautiful Hyde Park, by Youth With A Mission, Perth. All those cool kats (our friends and fellow missionaries)  in the choir put forth alot of late hours to bring our community together in songs that honored the Christ of Christmas. The locals (including some government officials) really enjoyed it. There was coffee, coke, and snacks for those that watched, clowns for the kids that played, and candles passed out for the singing time after the sun set.

Nations represented in the photo above: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Peru, Pacific Islands....

Each person representing a different ministry or training school. 

Cookies made one night by "Hospitality Ministry" here at the base. They are the ministry that make YWAM feel like home in the practical sence. Holidays, Birthdays, and other events they always pull through to make it special for everyone here. I really really appreciate them.. (and so does my tummy).

MISSION BUILDERS, YWAM Perth 2010!

Dave- Australia, Ulav- Norway, Burdy- Maricias, Franz- The Netherlands, Pita- Tonga, Matt- Mars, Adrian- Lancaster Pennsylvania, Terry- California, Scott- Canada

These guys are regularly working on the building that YWAM will be moving into...

The AES.... uh, I think that has something to do with art.. haha

These guys are amazingly talented and its awesome to walk in their classroom to see what they are learning.. and how they are redeeming the arts for the nations.

Nations represented: Aussies, Canadian, Americanas, Korea, Finland....

'Euro-couples are the cutest'

Sitting at dinner with them in the dining room at the YWAM base.

Clean'n up the streets of Perth.

Pile up on Isle 5 (with an Islander on top.)

 This was a couple of months ago but I just wanted to show you all the dorky things we do here for times when newbies show up--- now we are spending Christmas with those guys... Discipleship-- its about relationship as well as 'fun investment' time.

Last but not least,...Americanos.

Thank you for your prayers during these holidays.. as it can be a struggle for us so far away from our families, trusting that God will make himself known to them and us in this season.

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Featured Christian Artist: Uh - Johnny Cash. One because this season (acknowledging Christs 1st and second coming in the future) was a good excuse to post this song, and  two... because although he was an amazing musician he was not a perfect man. His creativity and relentless vulnerability to his audience reminds me of pieces of Gods Character. Have a laugh with Dad, but when he comes in after being away for a long time... "yay-- Dads home" honor and respect stand guard through a listening ear.

PS. If you know anyone that has looked these lyrics up in the Bible let me know... One of these days I would like to go through and look them up line by line and find the quotes (many are word for word)