Joy To The World!

The celebration of Christmas in Zambia centers on church activities and spending time with family. Gifts are exchanged among the wealthier and Christmas decorations are minimal except at the major malls.

Because John and Georgie Reed were coming to be our speakers for our annual retreat, I thought it was a good time to host a Christmas tea for the APC wives, the former and present. This would be the first time both groups were to meet. Over twenty women came to the "tea," (should have been called a "punch"), complete with gifts, decorations, and food.

One of the 2011 APC wives, Christine Simuyemba,
challenged the new wives to begin meeting 
on a monthly basis. The former pastors' wives,  

on their own, initiated a fellowship group that meets to encourage and empower each other. This truly excites me and I want this to happen with the APC Wives of 2014. Christine did a fantastic job encouraging the women to this end. 

After singing "Joy to the World" (and how their voices blended beautifully!), Georgie Reed, part of ACTION International's member care team, shared from her heart about the 
"Thieves of Joy"~circumstances, people,

 things, and, I can't remember the other one. Part of the visuals were boxes, decorated by Kristin Dearth,  marked "joy". I helped Georgie out by being the "thief." We had great fun as she "beat" me off with sticks bearing flags marked "humbleness," "thanksgiving," "Jesus," and "heaven." It was a lot of fun and I believe the ladies were able to grasp her message.

Afterwards the ladies watched a YouTube message from the Twin Lakes Women's Ministry Team, which visits
each year and hosts a conference for the APC wives. The TLWMT wished the women "Merry Christmas" and sang "Jingle Bells," complete with Santa hats. I wish I could've captured the delight on their faces with a camera as they recognized the faces of Kim, Susan, Rhonda, Paulette, and Kristy. 

And what Christmas party would be complete without presents? Little stockings and gift bags (presents from the TLWMT and Georgie) full of nail polish, soaps, tea lights, candy, lip gloss, and perfume, produced giggles and laughter of joy. Punch, baked goodies, and candy followed, served by our great AZ missionaries, Andrea Hilty and Tricia Huckaby.

Please remember the APC wives in the coming year. They are sacrificing as much as their student husbands~some of these ladies rely upon the transport and food allowances (amounting to about $60), that their husbands receive when class is in session. Right now school is in recess and to even think of Christmas presents is outside the realm of possibility. Thank you for your prayers for these women. Thank you, Twin Lakes Team. Thank you, Andrea, Kristin, and Tricia. And, thank you, Georgie!