A Letter from Bob and Kristi Rice, serving in South Sudan
December 2020
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Advent Greetings to you!
We think about how Christmas is usually celebrated in South Sudan. Choirs hold special Christmas carol celebrations. Churches raise money for special projects to help the vulnerable in their communities. Special church services on Christmas day often include baptisms, dramas, and small gifts for the children. This year, as all of us modify our plans and traditions, we take the opportunity to refocus on the miracle of the incarnation.
We celebrated with members of a youth choir in Juba after their Christmas Carol concert in 2017.
As the disciple John says, “The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.” (1 John 1:2, The Message Version) We pray that God gives you a sense of wonder and peace as we celebrate again our God becoming human to be with us and restore relationship with us. We join you in praying for healing and peace in our world. This year we have been reminded again of our brokenness and the life and freedom that our Savior gives. May God’s life be full in you and give you hope and joy this season.
We wish that we could see and visit with each of you in person to wish you a Merry Christmas! We depend on your prayers and partnership in this ministry in South Sudan. Thank you, and please keep praying for God’s people in South Sudan as they proclaim the life and salvation of God and pray for us as we serve with them.
With joy,
Bob and Kristi
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