2009!

Coming soon will be an update of the events/ministries over the Christmas Holidays...so check back with us later. Meanwhile, the Munn Elfs would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and many Blessings for 2009!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....

Our church offered a Christmas Eve service for the 1st time ever. The good news is it was as crowded as the Christmas morning service. Our family attended the Christmas Eve service. After we came out of the church we viewed the most beautiful sunset I've seen in a long time. It was as if God was reminding us of that bright star the first Christmas morning. It was 8:30 pm and here was this bright colorful sky, bright like that star that the guided the wisemen from afar...I am so thankful for those reminders that God gives us from time to time.

As the sun set, our family drove around the neighborhood to look at decorated houses. Some houses go beyond just the lights and decorate the inside of their garages/car ports, so you can walk through them and even touch/play with some of the decorations. Then, it was time to head home and open gifts from Nanny (Lori's mom) & Grandpa Ed. The kids were very excited. It ended up being a late night for the kids and they slept until 8:30 am!!! We opened the rest of our gifts when Matthew returned home from the Christmas morning service, ate lunch at a church family's home and relaxed the rest of the late afternoon/evening. Last year it was almost 100 degrees and this year we were delighted with the weather being in the 80's with a slight breeze.

We've posted a slide show for your enjoyment....Praying you had a joyous Christmas and your New Year brings many blessings.

Christmas Presents from Matthew's Parents..

Mattthew's parents sent a few boxes of goodies and after church today, the kids were excited to open their gifts.  Thank you Pa & Sugar for all the fun gifts you sent..Also, thank you to Mom & Ed and Pop Pop and Grandma Rita for their gifts the children will open soon. We love and miss you all! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Family Update

We are plugging along as we approach two years in Australia. We remain faithful to keeping up our history of medical emergencies. We are also feeling more acclimated to living here. We remain concerned with America’s changes, but I sense a growing distance as we try to endure our remaining difficulties with private health insurance & our disqualification for any special educational services because of our immigrant status. These difficulties have given us a wonderful perspective of why the USA is still the promise land for so many in this world. Please pray for Morgan & Mallory to receive Spec. Ed services that meet their needs.

 We are actively waiting for the door to open to our family seeking permanent residency in Australia. As long as we are here, it is best to get our status changed. This should alleviate some of the financial & emotional difficulties with living here. I was told, “we are those who have taxation without representation”. We don’t like it! So please join us in asking God for the AU govt. to favour us & approve our status in March of 2009.

Irresistible Influence

God has opened up amazing doors for us to become a Church of Irresistible Influence in our community. In August, we organized a Bible School type after school program in two elementary schools. Nearly 100 unchurched kids attended & about 20 non-WBC families attended our Friday Awana/Family Night. We laughed, heard a clear gospel message & enjoyed delicious snacks afterwards.

I must say I feel overwhelmed often, as ministry has never been so full.  Due to what God has been doing here, we are now working out the details to offer a Bible values based After-School program for children & parents next year ON THE SCHOOL PREMISSES! God is so great! Please join us in giving God thanks for His future work through this ministry.

Hoop it up!

One ministry opportunity we just started to publicize is a 3x3 Street Ball Tournament January 24^th. Please ask God to feel the teams. We are thrilled many of our church students have already caught the idea of inviting unchurched kids to play on a team. For a church to organize this type of event is counter-cultural! We are very excited to see what God will do!

 

His Light Shines Thru Death

Our community has been rocked hard. Our church has a good relationship with the high school across the street. We are in the school several times a week serving them & they often use our building. Four weeks ago a 17-year-old boy was senselessly murdered a few blocks from the church. This has deeply hurt our community & confused our schools. We are now actively engaged in conversations with the schools & local politicians about helping to provide resources, seminars, & counselling to the youth culture & local families to help transform our community. Please pray we shine the light of Christ brightly in our hurting & lost community.