Happy Holidays from Sunny Peru!

Dear Family and Friends,

When Kristin and I awoke on December 25, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and decided to head down for a late morning swim in the lagoon in front of The Base. The Peruvian sun shone brightly, as we swam out to the middle and had fun talking and singing songs like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “I’m Dreaming of aWhite Christmas.” Later on, Kristin and I brought the sweet potato casserole and chocolate chip cookies we had slaved over the day before over to the Donesky’s house (new American pilot and his family) for Christmas dinner. Afterwards, we watched The Santa Claus and ate the cookies and Oreo Cheesecake. Yep, we had it made. However, the only thing I missed was being away from my family during the Christmas season.

What do I want for Christmas some have asked and I cannot think of a thing. After 4 ½ months of being a missionary nurse in Peru, I realize more than ever, how little I need to live. During this Christmas season, so often many people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of preparing exquisite food and buying extravagant gifts and then after months of planning and many dollars later, it is over. Then, the day after Christmas, one of the busiest days of the year, long lines form outside of stores and unwanted gifts are returned. Is this all that this time of year has to offer?!

In the church here in San Jose, Peru this last Sabbath, the Pastor shared in his sermon that we as Christians are called to be different. We are called to celebrate the reason for Christmas every day of the year! For as the angel said that night long ago, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV). The very Son of God humbled Himself and became one of us, so that we, through Him may go to heaven with Him very soon!

I hope each one of you have had a wonderful Christmas and ready to enter into the new year of 2009 with the desire to serve Jesus Christ more fully until the day of His appearing.

In Our Savior’s Love,

Linda Ferguson

PS: (Pray for Kevin Attride, Kristin Eszler, & I as we leave Jan. 4 for our vacation to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and Chile).