THE
Anthis Family
Joel & Cindy
Austin, Allison & Abigail
19722 Cardiff Park Lane
Houston, TX 77094
281.579.0770
Anthis@mindspring.com
For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11.
Howdy and Merry Christmas from Texas!
The Anthis family has had an awesome year. As most of you know, we have been seeking God’s will for our lives regarding medical mission work for many years. And we now see how the Lord has been leading us to this point. We were approved in November as full time medical missionaries with SIM. Joel will resign his position with Texas ENT Specialists in August 2003 and we are planning to move to Jos, Nigeria to begin full-time ministry at that time. Joel will be starting an ENT work at a Christian mission hospital called Evangel as well as training ENT residents at a government medical school. Cindy will begin by working mostly at home, but will do some teaching in the family practice residency program at the mission hospital. Both of us will be involved in evangelism and discipleship in Jos which has a large Muslim population.
Many have asked us one of two questions regarding our move to Nigeria. The most common question is, “Is it safe?” The answer is yes and no. The best place to be is in the middle of God’s will. Security, peace and joy come from the presence of the Lord, not the absence of danger. We will certainly need to learn to understand more completely Proverbs 3:5 and 6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We do covet your ongoing prayers for our safety and the safety of our co-workers already in Jos as there has been tension between Christians and Muslims. The second most common question we hear is, “Are you taking your children?” Since we plan to be there for the next three to four years, we do intend to take our kids with us. (Although there are days when we would entertain other offers...)
No Christmas letter would be complete without the annual update on the children. Austin (age 7 1/2) is currently in second grade, and is excited to move to Nigeria. He is quick to inform anyone who asks that soccer is called football in Nigeria. He will be attending a missionary school called Hillcrest Academy in Jos and hopes to continue his soccer career. He has a sweet spirit and a heart for the things of the Lord which will serve him well as our family starts our ministry. Allison (age 5) started Kindergarten this year and has thrived in the school environment. After the first day of school her teacher sent a note home saying that Allison, “is full of personality.” She has also excelled at soccer and was her team’s leading scorer. She is looking forward to moving to Nigeria to “tell people about Jesus.” Abigail (age 1) is a great third child. She is flexible and has endured endless soccer practices, school plays, shopping trips, etc. with a constant smile on her face. She is truly a blessing and a gift from God.
As if we weren’t busy enough, we signed up for a marathon training program that began this summer. If all goes well we will both run our first marathon on January 19th, 2003. The training has gotten us both in shape and given us some added discipline in our lives.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who are praying for us as we prepare for the adventure that God has for us. We would also like to ask you to pray about joining our financial support team. We need to raise all of our outgoing support and obtain pledges for our monthly needs before we go in August 2003. Will you join us in this ministry to the least and the lost of northern Nigeria?
Here are some ways you can be involved:
· Pray for our preparations and ministry in Jos;
· Support us financially by returning the enclosed or attached response card;
· Invite us to share our vision with your church or a group of your friends;
· Pray about joining us in Jos on a short term trip or as a long term worker.
Thanks for standing with us in this ministry. Please contact us with any questions, we would love to talk with you.
Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
The Anthis Family
P.S. Please send us your e-mail address if you would rather receive correspondence by email. Feel free to contact us directly at our personal email address above. If you need to contact our mission organization, their address is below.
SIM
14830 Choate Circle Tel: 704.588.4300
P.O. Box 7900 Email: info@sim.org
Charlotte, NC 28241-7900 Web: www.sim.org