Joy and Sorrow

Christmas in all of its excitement was not lost on our kids – our two missionary families even had a white elephant gift exchange.

Reason for Joy

What better reason do we have for joy that knowing our Savior personally?  The Savior that, though God Himself, came as a small baby. Ah, deep soul content, celebrating peace of mind and heart with confidence as we face the future.

Sure there was plenty of the sweet sugary Christmas excitement in the Claasen house this year as well. Noah claims that 5 1/2 hours was all the sleep he could manage. Dad has temporary hearing loss from the squeals and shouts of excitement (and even a few welts from the new Nerf ® weaponry). Mom just wants those new whistles to be played outside!

We are truly blessed. Thank you for being part of that.

Wanna sleep tonight? Don’t get bit by this little guy. Our friends say his bite is potent.

Reason for Sorrow

Life here is truly life in the raw. There is pain all around us, illness, sores, fights – not uncommon. Many of these things can and will be dealt with (at least in part) when there is a change in worldview for our Pal friends. We are ever in mind of the urgency of the task that brought us to the remote place.

So, on Christmas day we were called to a troubled birth. The baby had been delivered healthy, but the placenta had not come. “Come quickly,” our friends said. “She is losing lots of blood and is weak.” Elizabeth and Maggie did go quickly and did help deliver the placenta in consultation with our mission doctor. Relieved, they left the resting mother and family.

And yet, while they were in the middle of the 45 minute hike home, the young woman passed away. Our hearts are broken.

For every Pal person who passes into a Christ-less eternity, we have reason for sorrow.

Would you pray with us as we enter the new year, that 2014 will be the time of new life and new beginnings here in Pal.

Thanks so much for keeping us here,

Nate for the Claasens