To those who have been called, who are LOVED by God the Father and KEPT by Jesus Christ; MERCY, PEACE & LOVE  be yours in abundance.       -Jude 1:1 Whatever you do... "...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Col. 3:17 This verse (and the whole chapter) has been on my heart the past few months. It follows Paul's instruction to "put to death" the things of this world and its temptations, choosing to "set our minds on the things that are above". Does this mean we're to be "so heavenly minded we're of no earthly good"? Heavens No! Our Lord is Lord over all, and He has literally given us all things to rule and have dominion over in a way that represents His character and Kingdom. We've been given all things, first to give glory to our Lord and then to enjoy as we honor Him in all we do. There's no room for compartmentalizing as "spiritual or secular", "mine or His". It's all His & we're called to represent Him in all we do...because we were made in His image to do so.  So this Christmas I'm rejoicing in a grater awareness of God's continual working within and then through me. What a privilege and what a relief to know I don't have to "fake it until I make it", but rather I've been made in His image, redeemed by His blood, filled with His Spirit and now released to live as what I am, a Child of God who can count that baby in the manger and the man on the cross as my brother!   I pray that this season will be a time of broadening your "in the name of the Lord" and seeing His Spirit minister to you and then flow through you at every moment, in every situation, no matter how seemingly insignificant. It's all significant if done in His name.  Merry Christmas from the Abeggs! Catching Up.. Part of our "...whatever I do..." includes care for missionaries in Central America and the Caribbean. This year we've had the privilege of visiting and working with teams in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic (twice) and Costa Rica, while weekly connecting with other missionaries and partner ministries in Honduras, Cuba and around the world. Many have been praying for our Dominican Republic team, especially during our two visits, and specifically lifting up Gil Leon who had to leave the field due to a cerebral parasite causing a significant health risk this past year. We're thrilled to report that he's not only doing better but has been able to return to the field with his wife Danna. They'll be transitioning to Guatemala, to assist in a church plant, discipleship of Guatemalan pastors and providing support at "Agua Viva", a former orphanage transitioned to a school. In the Leon's words: "...as of 2019 all children's homes and orphanages of Guatemala were ordered to shut down and send at risk children back to their homes!  Any true orphaned children were frantically put into foster care in a country that does not have a system yet to assist in this.  The Guatemalans who run this campus also created it into a school a while back.... They have a campus Pastor, Pastor Dave.  He is a Guatemalan with limited theological training, but he expressed to us specifically, that he desires to only teach God's truth and he asked us for this training.  He also shared his heart  that in this extreme poverished community where Agua Viva is located, he wants to plant a church, give discipleship training to these teachers, train the teachers on how to integrate the Gospel into their daily teaching, reach the parents of these children with the Gospel, and help other rural Pastors in order to do the same in their villages." Thank you for prayerfully walking everyone through this time, and please keep praying for the Leons in this transition as well as the Mackey and Smith family who remain working with churches in the Dominican Republic. Meal with the D.R. team. From bottom left clockwise: Kevin, Gabriella & Anthony Smith, Danna & Gil Leon, Rick Mackey, Claudia, Justin & Jeimmy Smith and Becky Mackey.  Partnership & New Opportunities  Previously we shared how attempting to meet regularly with 60+ missionary units in the region didn't leave time for development or a focus on new programs. Over the past year we've been working with a number of families to assist in a similar way to how Jethro instructed Moses in Ex. 18. They will be leading "Cluster Groups" of up to 7 families thus helping Claudia and I carry this ministerial load and providing more consistent connections with our missionaries. Please pray for the Beefus, Rice, Pittman and Gault families as they serve in this unique way. Pray for wisdom as we all seek to Love God and our neighbor by serving those who serve on the mission field.  For two years Claudia has been praying for a hypoallergenic dog for the family, specifically a "Sheepadoodle" (sheep-dog and poodle mix). But at $2,500 we didn't see how it could ever happen. But God... One of our close friends introduced us to her mom's best friend who just happens to breed sheepadoodles, and had an unprecedented bumper crop of 26 puppies! She became an answer to prayer and gifted us "Sherlock". What a blessing! A Brief Appeal... Being brutally honest, we need your prayers in order to meet the ministry needs in the Central American and Caribbean countries where we're working, but also to keep you, our valued supporters informed. The past 6 months have been a blur of work and activity with meetings, travel, responding to emergencies, counseling and encouraging those under our direction. I've found it hard to carve out time to keep you updated. I could choose to be a work-a-holic, but that doesn't honor my Lord who has called me to balance each of these tasks as part of a whole. He's also called me to disciple and care for my family as my primary charge.  Part of my "whatever you do in word or deed..." is discerning how each part of my life can and should point to Him, and that's a balance I'm still learning. Sharing the good news of what's happening around us because of God's provision through each of you is an important aspect of our missions call, and it takes time and energy. As I write this I'm a few steps from full exhaustion, but thankfully taking four days of vacation with the family starting tomorrow to hopefully come back recharged.   Please pray that we would experience deep rest, rich family fellowship and vision for the coming months.  Please also pray for a wise, Spirit lead balance in this high energy, hard pressing ministry, taking time to breathe and share the victories and the needs with you, our belovid partners.  Thank you for your partnership, we couldn't do this without  your prayers and your financial support!   Support Update Consider Joining Our Team We've almost made it through the year! Thanks to each of you for support of our work and your commitment to help us disciple the many in need of His care in the countries of Central America and the Caribbean. We are still seeking to close a shortfall in our financial support and have appreciated the way many increased their giving last year to help. We're currently looking for new supporters to come in and share some of the burden with you.  Please pray with us for Gods guidance in the new year as we reach out. We have seen His provision for so long, and believe He has plans for the coming years that include both the needs of our family with two teens preparing for college as well as the expansion of care, discipleship and pastoral training throughout the region. Thank you to those who have and continue to partner with us both in prayer and finances. We are so grateful and continue to intercede for you in all you do. Please send us a note and let us know how to better lift you up in prayer! Join Our Team Prayer Team  Send us a note and let us know you're an intercessor and want our intercessors updates! Give Online UWM-Missionary Support Page   Give via US Mail  Mail check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217   Give Via Phone Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person!   Copyright © 2019 United World Mission, All rights reserved.