Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the Schierkolk’s newsletter. To read the entire document please click here.
“‘. . . and they shall call His name Immanuel’ which means, God with us.”
-Gospel of Matthew 1:28
Advent and Christmas bring some paradoxical feelings for us. On one hand, we are really enjoying being with our daughter Rachel, seeing snow, being with family, experiencing the joy of the many events of the Christmas season, and touching base with friends. We enjoyed the Christmas concert at the Bible School (AFLBS) so much we went twice!
On the other hand, this is the first Christmas that the kids in the clubs in Jerez won’t have us “with” them and we won’t be having a Christmas party where they’ll be getting a present and they won’t get to watch the traditional showing of “Red Boots for Christmas” in Spanish. No tamales made by Adri (who passed away in May) enjoyed with all 
of the people from the church in Jerez. No watching the serious excitement of a young person in church lighting the Advent candle. So we feel a significant paradox (or as we often say in our family, “pair of ducks”). But God is “with” us and He is “with” them…
Todd, Barb, Rachel, Megan and Kirstie Schierkolk
