I have been seeing dummies lately. Scare crow type figures made of old clothes and stuffed with paper. They sit in chairs, prop themselves up on boulders and I have even see a few standing in the streets. Some are quite good. They have hats and some are smoking pipes. My friend Fredy tells it is customary here. At midnight on New Year's Eve, they are set on fire, symbolising the passing of the old man of last year and welcoming in the new man of the new year. "Putting behind us what is past, we press on..."
This past year represents a radical change in my life. Having moved here in June, everything has changed. There have been and continue to be many challenges, but I am so thankful that I am now living what I dreamed of for so long. I am so thankful for the many people here who have helped me get set up and who continue to encourage me in my work. I am ever so grateful to the people of St. John's Church in Montgomery who continue to support me, both financially and with their prayers; for being able to communicate with the young people (YASCsters) that I trained with in New York and for being able to watch God work in their journeys, and for the people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with through the short term mission teams of the past 6 months. For my friend Fredy without whom I could not do my job. For Amilcar and Eleana in the main office who help me understand HOW to do my job. For clergy who look out for me and support me. For Ms. Ana Reid, my co-worker and friend, who prays with me and makes me laugh. I thank God for a small but comfortable and safe place to live; for reliable transportation; for electricity, water, phone service and internet (when I have them); for plenty to eat, and good health. For my family.
Surely I have been blessed,
I pray the God of Peace grant you all your heart's desires in the coming year,
Love Bob
