Merry Christmas!
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Two thousand sixteen. What a year it has been for the Darfus family! A quick update on daily life…
I (Doug) still teach at Jones Middle School in Upper Arlington. I love the students and staff… if only the government and all its intrusive bureaucracy would stay out of education. Students & teachers today are good people with smart minds. They could make education great if only they were allowed to do so.
Becky started working in the fall at Hug-A-Bear Daycare. She enjoys being with the younger children, especially since ours aren’t little any more. The transition has been hardest on the boys since mom isn’t always available for their every whim.
I don’t know where time went, but Noah is a sophomore in high school. He is involved with almost every music and drama group they offer. We hardly ever see him.
Elijah is in middle school. His passion is video games. He’d play 24/7 if we let him (and we don’t.) He can talk anyone’s ear off about video games… too bad we have no idea what he’s saying.
Josiah is in 2nd grade. He likes to annoy his brothers. I think his brain is too big for his britches. He is a great worker though (other than chores); he helped Becky in almost every aspect of her Operation Christmas Child project.
John 17:18-20
18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
Our biggest news, as many of you know, is our mission to Arizona to work with the American Indian Field.
First, we need to thank so many of you who prayed for us and supported us financially. We couldn’t have done it without you and God’s help.
In the fall of 2015, we, as a family, decided to answer God’s call to go to Arizona for the month of June 2016. We knew we would help with summer camps, but really didn’t understand why we were going or what we would be doing. God knew and we obeyed.
The American Indian Field works with Native People from different tribes in many different ways. We were based out of the Southwest Indian Ministry Center (SIMC) which used to be a boarding school, but is now a campus that houses different events for Native people. The majority of our time at SIMC was spent preparing for and cleaning up after campers. In other words, we mopped floors, did laundry, and cleaned bathrooms. But we also helped prepare and teach Bible curriculum, a cooking class, recreation time, and much more. All of this was important work that needed done, but our most fruitful work was getting to know other missionaries and so many Native American children and their families. It was through these new relationships that we were able to share our faith in Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this month.
We also had opportunity to leave the campus and go to the reservation to meet with Native people on their own turf. We attended church and worshipped with them, ate with and met with them in their locally-owned resaurants, and attended a cultural event they were having in a community center. Again, meeting with, building relationships, and sharing our faith was an amazing part of what we did.
The time spent in Arizona working with so many wonderful people was filled with peace. We didn’t want to leave, and in fact, I haven’t felt that Ohio is my home since we’ve been back. Our family has decided to go back this summer for all of June and half of July. God has more plans to use us in this ministry. I’ve even started taking Ministerial Preparation Study Courses to gain a deeper understanding of my faith.
This next part is uncomfortable for us. In order for us to return, we need people to pray for our family… but we also need a financial way to help us get there. We know that many people just can’t give financially. That is okay, the prayers are more beneficial to our success. But if you can help us, we have included a financial contribution form.
We wish you God’s Grace and a Merry Christmas! If you are interested in our mission work this past summer, a blog is online at www.TheDarfusFamily.org.
Blessings,
Doug, Becky, Noah, Elijah, and Josiah