Christmas is around the corner, well it was and more

Thinking about the last time I put up an entry, and realized it was before Christmas. So these nextfew stories and such may be a bit jumbled, just trying to catch up. Belatted Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.Christmas was nice, certainly was interesting. North America and Europe, and maybe Australiakinda of their own special Christmas, lights, trees, snow in some places, but everywhere else inthe world Christmas is left up to interpretation it seems. Yet slowly in developing countries Christmasis becoming the lights, trees, and presents, sad in a way. I realize as I write this I am starting to talkabout Christmas like it is just some holiday tradition! But what it is supposed to be about is so powerful.I shared a sermon on the 20th, and in it I tried to tell how Jesus' story is more than just the cross. That isthe climax, the victory as He rises from the grave, but He had to be born, grow-up, live, minister, heal,preach, and all that in order for it to be a complete story. The Sabbath school lesson this past quarter, broughtme back to the importance of all aspects of Jesus' reconciliation, and I especially the parts on the birth, andsacrificial system (yeah like half the quarter I know). The Adventist church members here are a little afraidof celebrating Christmas. They have reason, as do others around the world who don't like too much the ideaof the Christmas time, just too one yearly, here it is a big Catholic time (and everyone else too). But themembers feel like they are joining with the other churches, not being distinct from other faiths. While theydo not despise other faiths, we do realize that we are different in our Biblical beliefs, and do not want to comeacross as united under our likenesses. The other side is that when people ask if the church is having a programfor Christmas, and we not say no not really, then people are confused and wonder if we really do believein Jesus' birth. People will always be confused, the seventh-day Sabbath?, the mark of what beast?, The dead are sleeping?But in this case this confusion is not entirely a Biblical misinterpretaion. More cultural, and such. If aroundChristmas is a time for celebrating Jesus birth, would it not be appropriate to do so as well and as well as all year? Tough questions. The same issue comes up for Easter. Jesus died on Passover which is not at the same time astraditional Easter, but again people again wonder if we don't do some commerative service for it. New Year's hasit's stresses too, not really for the church, other than the work to put together the New Year's Eve program. Whichthis year was quite fun and a real blessing. There is another entry about it. The stress, as I was saying, is on my peoplemore, us whites (basically non-blacks here, Manny is Mexican and they still say Yoevoe, Yoevoe). We are seen as having a lot of money, don't blame the perception, but it means that everyone wants to come over to your houseor wants you to give them money, candy, food for fet. It was actually the lead that was the most stressful, I was surethat it would be a nightmare. But on New Year's Day not much happened. Manny and I bought sweet bread to giveto those who stop by, but no one came. I wanted to get out and visit people, but time slipped through me hands. ActuallyI kinda botched the friendship building opportunity by sitting in my house typing and drawing, and then watching part of a movie, and by the time I got out, it was almost time for prayer meeting and I was on supper duty. The chance to really interact was lost. I was disappointed in myself, but God forgives, and I learn (hopefully for the last time!).Oh and Christmas was blessed though. Had prayer meeting on the eve of the 24th since it was Wednesday, and so wehad a get together Christmas day evening at Uli and Toussaint's with a potluck sort of meal, and a small gift exchange.A beautiful time to relax and fellowship. Boxing day is not a thing here. Speaking of boxes, I am reminded of how I recentlyreceived a package from my mom in a box. The contants were great, but I was also excited about the box, somethingto store things in! Amazing how simple things can be great, if we just be creative (I am in no way excusing being a packrat you must be able to use everything, and not just store if I might someday need it kind of thing, well that's my policyanyway, usually (-:) I also went to some of my pathfinders' house for Christmas lunch. They had killed the fatted chicken, andmade some traditional patte, and so we ate well! I brought a bunch of candy over for them, and they were so excited they sang in happiness. And they are between the ages of 15-19! It was amazing to see how a simple thing brought great joy,how Jesus should always be the same to me, except for the cavities, and sugar highs.
You may be wondering about my spiritual life here. It's a little hard to explain all of it. But I will give a good overview.I say it's hard just because some of it is personal, and spirituality is a huge topic. So I am mostly going to tell aboutthe warfare around here. When I first got here I thought there was a problem, a good problem, but still something wrong.I just didn't have the Satanic attacks and Voodoo encounters I thought I would. I am not complaining. I just thoughtevery day I'd be dealing with some supernatural attack on me or on others. Now my perspective has changed! I have cometo see that I was at the point where one I was worrying when an attack would come, and two that if I was not being attackedthen I really wasn't doing something for Christ! That's definitely messed up, in essence I was looking to Satan, to confirm whetherI was doing work for Christ. In reality Christ giveth and he taketh away. So things may be going well and that can mean Godis blessing and protecting, and when I am under attack, that just means Christ has allowed Satan some ground, and knowsI can stay faithful if I trust God! I've also come to see that Satan was using my wrong mind set to overlook alot. He usesso much than supernatural encounters like extreme sickness, dreams, physical torment, etc. There is all too familiardiscouragement, sorrow, annoyances (like all the noise around here), cultural differences, temptation, and so much more.So to say that we aren't under attack everyday just because we don't have supernatural enounters is actually a deception of Satan,I believe. God sent me a really great book called, Spiritual Warfare, by Timothy Warner, which explained a lot of this to me. About the Voodoo, another book, that I didn't finish yet about reaching animists, helped me realize that it's not always that visible. But in times of crisis, marriage, death, sickness, etc. it comes up in ritual and such. This time of year it is evident becausemany of our young church members have the hardest time to get out doing the traditional initiation ceremonies, so far God hasprotected and no one has had to do them, or been hurt for not doing them. There are the little signs like the fetish altar in the middleof the market, the guys at the market who will tell you through claryvoince who stole from you, and the little scare-crow like thingsin fields to curse anyone who steals from it. In the end I see trust in God as our stronghold. If I am attacked supernaturally or if I amGod knows if I can handle it. We have a great team here that will each of us through attacks too! Let's all keep on the straight and narrowno matter what!