This October we had a special event as our families gathered to witness Jack’s baptism. For the last year Jack had been wanting to be baptized. After talking together and making sure he understood the meaning of the act, we waited for Kay’s parents to come and participate. Kay’s mother and father, Salim’s parents, siblings and their families, were all able to attend as Jack and another girl from our congregation were baptized. Our families shared a blessed time together as Jack took this step in a testimony of his faith. Of course all of the boys were excited to have their grandparents visiting for two weeks.

Daniel is playing basketball at the YMCA and becoming quite the athlete. John continues to learn in both Arabic and Hebrew, and seems to be coping quite well. Sam is talking selectively (his favorite word is "star").

Kay continues to volunteer at the Sunbula crafts shop. They held their annual Christmas fair, hosting women from the Palestinian authority areas who brought crafts and handiwork to sell. Everyone was thrilled with the success of the event.

The final draft of Salim’s PhD was approved by his mentor in November and sent off to Oxford for review. In January, he will go to England to defend the thesis. This marks the culmination of six years of work, and we are all thankful to have this project completed. As well, he is keeping busy at the Bethlehem Bible College teaching an Old Testament class in the tour guide program, and a class on Revelations to the college students.

Bethlehem is becoming increasingly busy and full of visitors as we near the holiday season. It is exciting to be a part of the celebrations, and we pray for God’s protection and peace amidst the activity and festivities.