December 31, 2004
Dear Family and
Friends,
Greetings from
“cold one day,” “hot the next day,” Florida! A few days ago, we were
covering the plants and bushes to avoid the cold killing them at night
and the last couple of days the temperatures were in the 50s at night
and the 70s during the day. We may not have “seasons” as you have
there up North, but we certainly have a variety of weather changes.
We missed having
Mom and Dad (Hansen) being with us over Christmas. As you may know, Mom
could not make the long trip because of her painful back situation, and
the injection she had in November. However, they plan to travel to
Texas in January, and visit us perhaps in the early Spring, Lord
willing.
Sarah and her
family were with us for our “traditional” Christmas dinner. It is so
special having them living back here in Florida since late summer. We
are all very thankful to be closer to them. (Only about seven miles
away!)
Tim had a flight
booked from Washington, DC, arriving in Orlando about 11:00 pm Christmas
Eve. He had to fly back home Sunday afternoon, so our time together was
very short. As you may know, he is the manager of a RadioShack store
and this is a very busy time of the year for him, but we had a wonderful
time together here in Florida!
Jeff continues to
be very busy at work as an electrician. He did very well at school this
past semester. Both Jeffrey and David have worked out their schedules
for college this next semester with me the past couple of evenings.
These are busy days!
David (McGhee) came
home from work Wednesday, Dec. 22, quite sickburning up with a fever,
but with medicines and the prayers of many, he got better much quicker
than the previous time he had the “flu.” Several folks in his office
have been sick.
Thank you for your
very kind and generous gifts to us. We pray Gods richest blessings on
you this coming year.
* * * * * *
* * *
Tsunami!
A word which now brings up
troubling images of vast destruction and death, the result of a shift in
the earth crust, 6 thousand feet below the oceans surface, just off the
coast of Indonesia. Many tens of thousands of people were instantly
ushered into eternity, before the sun set on December 26th. Words like
"tragic," "indescribable," and "horrendous," are heard over and over
again, as news of these awful events is flashed across our television
screens.
Sad to say, there
is another "tragedy" taking place, each and every day, as tens of
thousands of people slip into a Christless eternity. Many of these
people have never heard the name of Jesus, even once. “Politically
correctness” means nothing when it comes to eternal matters and mans
relationship with God. The Word of God is very clear that there is only
way to Heaven and that is through Gods Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 We just celebrated the
birth of Jesus, the Savior of the World, the One of whom the angel spoke
to startled shepherds, on the foothills near Bethlehem, "I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord." What an urgent task we have, as His children,
to take the Gospel Message to lost people, whether they are in our own
neighborhood or are living in the "regions beyond."
We are very
thankful to the Lord for His allowing us the privilege of being with NTM
for so many years. We probably wouldn't have guessed 31 years ago that
we would still be with New Tribes Mission here at the threshold of
2005. However, we did come into NTM intending to be career
missionaries and we therefore stepped out in faith, believing that the
Lord would provide His grace, strength and daily provision to us.
We thank Him for His faithfulness to us over the years.
Thank you for your
gifts of support this past year and for gift to us this month. Your
gifts to us are greatly appreciated. They came at a real time of need.
Thank you!
It is such a
blessing to be involved with all of you in a ministry that has eternal
consequences. We thank you for your partnership with us in taking the
Gospel to the unsaved, including tribal people around the world, through
New Tribes Mission. We appreciate each prayer that you have said to the
Father, on our behalf, as well as for each of your gifts of support.
All of us may not be on the "front-lines,” on a foreign mission field,
but our involvement in this ministry is a vital
and important "link" in the chain of those who
are involved in taking the Gospel Message to people who have never had
one opportunity to hear the Name of Jesus.
So...from the
bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your faithful prayers and gifts
of support this past year. We trust that this letter finds you doing
well.
Have a wonderful
and joyful New Year.
|
Joyfully in Christ, |
|
John &
Linda McGhee |
New Tribes Mission 1000 East First
Street Sanford, FL 32771-1487
|