Dear friends,
Our time in the United States is coming to an end. We
have been living in Columbia, SC since January 2013. Michael was completing his
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University.
It has been a time of reflection, correction, and encouragement.
The Professors work at and live out the motto of the
University, which is:
‘Preparing world
Christians to know Him and to make Him known.’
During our season at South Carolina we worshiped at
Fellowship Bible Church in Irmo. The small group especially became a place of
friendship and spiritual enrichment for us.
The graduation at CIU took place on the thirteenth of
December. Martin came from Longview, TX to stay with us.
As we look back, all in all it was a very precious time
for us. We feel prepared, empowered, and equipped for the time of mission work
in Zambia.
As a bonus we could see our children, sons in law and
in-laws during this period
Bärbel had the privilege to be with Christine during
the first few weeks after the arrival of Naomi.
During the summer holidays, we enjoyed a few days of quality
time as a family in Wisconsin in a cabin.
When you receive our letter, it will be just a few days before
Christmas. It seems that worldwide the Christian celebrations have been mightily
commercialized.
“Shoppers around the country (USA) say they are planning to spend an
average of $801 for gifts this holiday season … (http://americanresearchgroup.com/holiday). That does not include the costs of all the special
food being consumed and the traveling many do connected to their festive
activities
These days we can hear on the radio, in the shopping
malls and online, so called Christmas songs like: “Rudolph the Red” “Nosed
reindeer”, “Jingle Bells”, “Dreaming of a white Christmas” and so on. What inclinations
do such songs have with the actual event, the reason why we celebrate
Christmas?
I took a quick photo shooting trip through a
neighborhood. Mickey Mouse, Joseph & Mary with Jesus was an interesting
combination I saw.
Christmas should be all about Jesus. He is the reason
for that celebration. In the gospel of Luke we can read:
8 And in the same region there
were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And
an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And
the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people. 11 For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord. Luke 2:8-11;
Do we put the
reason for Christmas into the center of our Christmas activities and
celebrations?
We would like to
encourage you to give to the savior of the world the center stage in your
Christmas - celebrations and in your life.
We wish you a
blessed Christmas 2013.
Michael &
Bärbel Pflaum
Prayer items for:
o A safe trip back to
Zambia – Africa (15th of January 2014);o A God honoring solution for Michael’s parents who are in Germany;
o A good start in the ministry of the AMANO Christian School;
o People to come and help us at Amano fulfilling God’s Great Commission in Zambia at that School.
o Staff at Amano to be able making disciples of Jesus Christ.
o Students to receive Christ as their personal savior.
o For students to grow into the image of Christ.
