Dear Friends, family and ministry partners,
For unto us a child is born....Is. 9:6. What a wonderful gift we have of the Father in His Son Jesus Christ. Our hearts are full of gratitude at Thanksgiving and Christmas to be so blessed by our loving, gracious Heavenly Father. We have seen a successful move from Canada back to the US and are "in the thick" of the ministry among the Hualapai.
Since our last letter we have seen three accept Christ as Savior. One of those has been baptized and five new members have joined the church. Our attendance has steadily increased and now we are running double what we saw our first few Sundays here. Just last week we had a new record of 57 and yesterday we saw 53. Novembers average attendance was 48. Steve also had two opportunities to speak at the senior center and there is an open door to return on a regular schedule. We are also working on getting into the youth center in Peach Springs.
Steve has been preaching through the sermon on the mount on Sunday mornings and has begun teaching on the Biblical distinctives of Baptists on Sunday nights. Both series have been well received and decisions have been made every week.
We are looking forward to several activities this month. Every age group will be involved in one outing or another. The church will present a cantata on Sunday morning December 21. It has been an adjustment for us to be back in a warm climate at this time of year. But with all the activities it is beginning to feel like Christmas.
Please continue to pray for our house to sell in Canada. We have gotten a trickle of showings, but have not had any offers yet. We have recently lowered our price and hope that the new price will stir up more interest.
As many of you know, Steve takes over the responsibilities of director of the Independent Baptist Indian Mission as of the first of the year. The mission has grow to thirteen families over the years and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for the future. Now, in addition to pastoring, we will have traveling duties, meeting with the other missionaries as well as promoting the mission in colleges from time to time. This is going to add more expenses and time to the ministry, so we ask for your prayers in managing both well.
Thank you, to all who sent special Christmas gifts. Your gifts really make a difference at this time of year. Your notes and cards now and throughout the year mean a lot to us. We are blessed to be loved and supported by so many. Thank you all very much.
For God's Glory-the Steve De Ford family
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Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things He hath done for you. I Samuel 12:24
