Dear Friends and Family,

It’s that time of year again when we love to send our wishes for a blessed Christmas season, remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus. We have thankful hearts for all the blessings of 2022 and God’s faithfulness to us in so many ways. Sarah and I got COVID right after Thanksgiving, and we are especially thankful to be over it now and able to enjoy all this season brings.   Here are some highlights from 2022:

MINISTRY - Joel was able to get back to training pastors in Rwanda, DR Congo, and Uganda in person this year with ELI, making two trips to Africa. He also continues to ZOOM teach each week with a few pastors in Rwanda and one pastor in Israel. The plan was to return to Uganda this month but because of Ebola the trip has been pushed back until February. In addition to this, he is still on staff at our church as an associate pastor, teaching in various ways and   occasionally filling the pulpit. Sarah fills in as needed in the preschool Sunday school classes and co-leads a weekly women’s Bible study at church.

FAMILY - Although none of our children & grandchildren live close by, we have enjoyed many visits this year, and especially thankful for two visits from our son, Zachary, who lives in Hawaii. It is so hard having him half way around the world! It was our year to have everyone at our house for Thanksgiving and is always fun for all the grandkids to be together. Rebecca, Jason, and their boys (Josiah, 15 & Isaiah, 12) moved into their “new” house in High Point, NC earlier this year after house hunting (and losing many offers) for over a year. Nathan, Ruth, and their three (Adah - 14, Jonah - 12, Merrimac - 10) are still in Nashville, TN where he is co-pastor at All Saints PCA. Ruth spends her days homeschooling the kids and running them around to their many activities. Zachary works as a civilian, contracting for the
military in the area of intelligence. He is also in the Army Reserves.

CELEBRATIONS - This year we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary! We took a trip to Vermont in late September and so enjoyed staying at a friend’s cabin on a small lake. It was so fun exploring a part of the country we’d never been to before.
In October, we were so blessed to connect with Sarah ‘s Ben Lippen classmates at a 52nd in- person high school reunion in Black Mountain, NC. It was a wonderful weekend sharing memories and stories of God’s faithfulness over all these years.Classmates came from all over the country and some even drove from Mexico.  It was also peak for the autumn leaves and was so beautiful!

We are thankful for each one of you and the many ways you enrich our lives. Your prayers and partnership in our ministry with Equipping Leaders are priceless.  Please come visit us if you are ever near Knoxville.

With Christmas Joy,

Joel & Sarah