It's been a long time since I have posted anything on our blog (since we returned to The States on furlough) but I thought Christmas is a great time for reflection. We've been home for over 2 months and a lot has happened. Starting off with a great week at STF for their annual mission's conference and at the same time a conference with "Close Connections", the group of churches that support the ongoing mission effort through Open Baptist Church in Botswana. Pastor Norman and his wife Gabi, along with Pastor Modise attended this conference from Botswana. I visited our son Greg and was then priviledged to spend a week at my best friend's mountain home in North Carolina. Jeff and I then travelled to South Haven, MI to visit with my "2nd parents", Tom & Dorann Fleming, & then over to Northern Ill. to visit Jeff's family, including his Mom, 2 sisters and their families. After that, back to Tampa for a week to visit with friends there and then up to Jacksonville to spend 2 very relaxing weeks with my parents, Larry & Laura Hills, at Penney Farms Retirement Community. While there, our daughter Nicole with her husband Kurt & our other daughter Linda with our grandbaby Raya flew in to visit. Then back to Tampa to spend Christmas with daughter Diana and son Jon. Each time we returned to Tampa we were put up in luxuious accomodations at Bob & Zan Walter's guest house. As I type this now, Diana and Jeff are busy cooking dinner consisting of French onion soup, prime rib, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a few more tempting items. I have already gained 8 pounds from all our eating out so am looking forward to getting back home just to loose that extra weight! We are listening to Christmas music and enjoying family time. Although all our travelling has been somewhat hectic and even tiring at times we realize how lucky we are to have friends that care for us and family that loves us. However, in all the busyness we try not to forget that there are many people that are not eating much if anything today and there are babies crying that have no family to hold them. And even worse, there are many people that do not have the comfort of knowing our Lord, Jesus Christ and the security that brings. Knowing this, we are very anxious to return to Botswana, not only to reconnect with our church family there but also to continue to reach out in faith and follow the path that God is leading us down. We reflect on the message that Pastor Craig gave in last night's Christmas Eve Service. And remember that along with all the peace & tranquility surrounding the birth of Jesus there was also much suffering. But the salvation message that comes with His birth is meant for all and at this time of year as we celebrate His coming we should be reminded especially that we need to work harder than ever to spead the Good News to all the Earth! Merry Christmas from The Sukup's in Botswana temporarily in Tampa, Florida!
