Norm & Audrey Henderson Christmas 2010
Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2 (NIV)
Matthew 2:2 (NIV)
…that I may gain Christ and be found in Him… through faith in Christ… I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3: 8-14 (NIV)
Phil. 3: 8-14 (NIV)
Our quest continues!
The Wise Men were on a quest to worship the King whose coming had been announced in the heavens. They stopped to ask for directions at Herod’s palace, but - you know the story - He was born in a stable, not a palace.
Our daughters, Mary, Janice and Karen (Dave’s wife) recently went on an “urban quest” in Ottawa, the goal being a warm coffee shop! We’ve been thinking back on some of the “quests” we have had here in Portugal. Some have been literal quests, such as finding a Christian bookstore last weekend that had set up in the back of a car repair shop in an unfamiliar area: Google Maps sent us down two blocked streets. Other quests have been figurative, such as our quest for God’s plan, and to know when we will actually reach the place where God has called us to serve: Centro Evangélico de Medicina do Lubango (CEML), a mission hospital in Lubango, Angola.
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| Norm giving “remote assistance” via satellite, to a friend who was on a short assignment at the CEML hospital in Lubango. |
It’s been said that if you want to know how to get where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been so:
Looking back:
As we’ve advanced in our quest to learn “Bom” Portuguese, we have made many friends who have helped us to understand this culture that has so much influenced Angolan culture. And although we still have lots to learn, we are thankful for what we have been able to absorb. Language learning is a lifetime quest!
Our teacher has been excellent and we even took the European standard “B2” exams in Portuguese as a foreign language – although results are still to come. We have appreciated the time working together as a couple and covering each other’s faults with God’s love. Norm has presented MAF’s ministry twice and preached in church, and Audrey has been singing in a community choir – with a Christmas concert recently in Bethlehem! Actually it’s a district of Lisbon named Belém, which means Bethlehem. Audrey has found the choir to be a real help with pronunciation and informal language – and great fun.
Looking forward:
The next step of our quest is a very welcome break over Christmas in Ottawa, with our family. Our granddaughter Elizabeth (21 months) has often asked mommy to call us on our Internet phone and she has lots to say – we hope we’ll understand her a bit better in person!
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| Talking to grandparents! |
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| Alpha training at A Ponte |
Cleared for takeoff! Once we receive ordinary visas (which can be renewed while we wait for our longer-term work permits), we will be on our way to Angola. We expect to leave from Canada in late January 2010. It’s exciting that our time of preparation is nearly finished and we will have our tickets to Africa very soon!
We are thankful for:
· A great year of language and culture learning
· Our brothers and sisters in Christ here, especially at “A Ponte” church
· More stable health for Audrey’s parents and a nice apartment
· A clearer timetable - we’re going to Angola very soon!
Please pray with us for:
· Our ordinary visas, and in due time our work visas for Angola.
· The people of Portugal, and of Angola – for hope in Christ.
· That churches here and in Angola, will work well together for the Gospel.
· That sufficient funds will be provided for the “right” vehicle for the ministry.
Our ministry requires a vehicle!
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| Will it be this… |
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| Or this? |
Ministry Partnership*:
You have all been a great encouragement to us, and we thank God for you!
If you would like more information about how to participate either in missionary support or with the Vehicle fund for our ministry with MAF, please email us, contact the MAF Canada, US, or UK office, or refer to https://mafc.org/donate.htm.
Please mention “Missionary support project C478” or “Vehicle fund project V78”.
May God richly bless your “quest” during this Advent and upcoming Christmas season!
With our love,
Norm & Audrey
Permanent mailing address:
315 Clemow Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1S 2B7
Canada
Internet phone: +1-613-526-1245
Skype: norm.audrey
Facebook: Norm Henderson
MAF Canada office:
264 Woodlawn Rd. W.
Guelph, ON N1H 1B6
Canada
1-877-351-9344
Support: C478 Vehicle: V78
MAF USA office:
P.O. Box 47
Nampa, ID 83653
USA
1-800-359-7623
MAF UK office:
www.maf-uk.org
0845-850-9505
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