Note: Ron and Marsha Navamanie are missionaries in Sri Lanka. Although they are not AFLC Missionaries they have strong ties to the AFLC. Marsha is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gene Quist attended Emmaus Lutheran Church in Minneapolis growing up.
Dear Friends:
I am sure you are getting tons of these. This year I only sent Christmas cards to those who are not on email, so this will be your card from the Navamanie’s this year. We also sent a snail mail letter from our U.S. office. If you are not on our regular mailing list and would like to be, let us know and we will have them mail you a copy. It was modeled on an annual report of all the work we have done this year, so since you all get our monthly emails, I will not repeat myself. This time of year you get enough to read.
I was a little disappointed at the turnout for the teen program we had in November. We had only about 15 kids, mostly boys. One of the girls schools had a choir practice that day and many of the girls couldn’t come. Refuge was great. He really laid it on the line that Hell will not be a nice place or a place where you can be with your friends who are going there. I hope the message got through. Only one person brought a friend. We will have a get together after Christmas after their exams are done. Two of the boys are doing the “O Level” exams right now. These exams are very hard and determine whether you will be able to continue your education or not. The government changed several things at the last minute which made it even more difficult for them so pray for Jason and Si-Hua.
We have a quiet December. Alpha is over for the time being and many other programs are canceled for the month. They call it taking a break. I personally don’t think you can take a break from God, and we have found over the years that many get lazy and never return to their Bible studies or other programs in January. Our small group is continuing to meet and we were very excited when they decided to have an outreach Christmas party. It is the baby’s birthday on Christmas Day so Avanelle and Michelle are inviting some relatives and their neighbors (most of these are not Christians) for a party on Christmas night. We will tell the Christmas story and have the kids dress up and act it out. This way many people who live around them may understand better what Christmas is all about and it will be a witness to let their neighbors know where they stand as believers in Jesus Christ.
The husband of the other couple in our group decided to become a member of our church. I think we told you that he was from a Roman Catholic background. Our pastor was very appreciative of the work that we have been doing. Another woman who prayed with Marsha and was discipled by her a few years ago also became a member.
Our cats have been sick with the cat flu this month. It has been consuming a lot of time and money to get them back to normal. One has taken quite some time to recover, but she seems to be back to normal now. Praise the Lord!
Miriam had a wonderful evening program with Youth for Christ a week ago, two of her disciples participated in the dance, drama, and singing items. They all invited friends, and everyone was thrilled that 28 young people committed themselves to Christ that day!
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas Season,
ron, marsha and miriam navamanie
(photos: teen program games, making the Christmas cake, our small group)
