Christmas is a great gift from Heaven to us : "The WORD became flesh and made his dwelling among us ... full of grace and truth. From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another..." (John 1: 11, 16-17)

In this world-wide economic recession we need God's grace, and one blessing after another for our daily life. 

Dorcas Design

After Ruth retired in August, I took up responsibility for Dorcas Design -- a sewing workshop for less-advantaged women in Mainland China, with the goal to empower them to live on their own. I have to visit the workshop regularly and meet with the managers. With this economic recession, we look to God's grace for sufficient orders so that our women can have enough income for living, and the workshop can keep on running.  Please visit  http://www.dorcasdesign.org/.

In His grace, give thanks with a joyful heart

(1) February - gall bladder removed and can no longer eat overly greasy food.

(2) March - recovered from surgery, safe trip to Cambodia with good meetings.

(3) August - mission congress in Mumbai, India; good fellowship and renewed vision.

(4) November - medical team to Cambodia, with many "miracles", joy and excitement -

a) It rained almost every evening. For three evenings, on the way back after the free clinic, dark clouds were gathering, and we prayed aloud that it wouldn't rain until we got back to the House of Love, otherwise, all of us and the things would get wet. God answered our prayers !

b) For three patients, the two dentists tried their best to pull their teeth for over 30 minutes, but with such limited facilities and instruments, all we could do was to pray. After we prayed for the patients and dentists, the teeth came out immediately. The dentists were so amazed because with their experience, such teeth would not come out except with special instruments. It is really God's work.

c) There was lightning and thunder in the evenings, and the lights went out. On the last evening as we packed the things to leave on the following day, two of the team members had to hold flashlights to give light for packing.

d) This was the 20^th medical team since 1995. Daniel Sar helped the medical team for many years. One of the team members supported him for his studies at Bible school. Daniel served in one of our churches for three years and now is serving in a Christian organization. Last November the medical team members were so happy to attend his wedding.

In His grace, go through sorrow

My father went peacefully to be with our Heavenly Father on 22^nd June.   He is now also with his beloved wife and mother in heaven.  In memory of my father's desire for all children to be able to go to school, all the love gifts at the funeral were given to the school project in Cambodia.

Cambodia

1. Kampong Cham - 7 new Christians, and in Kampot 14 were baptized in December.
2. Phnom Penh Thmei - construction of the multi-purpose building, which can be used as a dorm for camps and retreats. The workers come from Kampot. They are the husbands of some members of Kampot church and are not yet Christians.
3. Pastor Joel is supervising the construction. He has Bible study once a week with them.  On weekends Pastor Joel and his wife  go to Kampot to have worship and Bible study in the church.  These workers also go home with them.

Cambodia School project

1. In Cambodia the average age is 19.5, and about 2.2 million children are not in school. The government is planning to put all the children in school by year 2015. They invite all NGOs to come and start education ministries.
2. Because of inflation in Cambodia, the budget for construction has risen to US $580,000. We are now looking for an architect and contractor in Cambodia. We are planning to start the school in September 2010.
3. In Hong Kong - in January the Mission Board members and I will go to our churches to share the vision of the Cambodia school project. My office staff and I have to prepare a VCD and other materials for sharing.
4. In Hong Kong - on Friday evening March 6, 2009 there will be a dinner for "Vision sharing and fund raising". I

have to prepare many things for this dinner - a promotional VCD, brochure, a short message, and a gift for each guest.  I sincerely invite you to be a partner in this school project - in giving and praying.  

Hong Kong

1. One of the two pastors of Tsuen Wan Free Methodist Church (I am the advisor of this church) will resign in the end of January 2009. The other pastor and the leaders in the church will share some of the work. Please pray for the adjustment in the transitional time.

Schedule in the coming months

1. Christmas 2008 - lead a team to visit Dorcas Design for 2 days for Christmas party and outing.
2. January 6 - start teaching a module on missionary caring every Tuesday till early March.

3. January 7-17 - Cambodia - for the Global Studies Intensive (similar to a Mission Camp) - need to share in 3 sessions on different topics. After the camp I will stay behind to meet with our missionaries.

4. March 6 - Cambodia school project dinner fund raising.
5. March 11- 19 - Cambodia-- for Annual meeting and missionary retreat.
6. March 23-29 - Philippines-- for APFMMA Executive Committee meeting.

Some plans

1. Try to go to bed before midnight
2. Try to do exercise for 30 minutes twice a week.
3. Try to observe a "Sabbath" weekly in the midst of my busy schedule.

Prayer requests

1. Grace and strength for those affected in the worldwide economic recession.
2. Good health (physical and spiritual) & wisdom for missionaries and myself.
3. God's provision for the Cambodia school project, Dorcas Design and

Missionary support

1. Missionaries needed in Cambodia
2. For the church - leadership training, church planter, pastor;
3. For the Mission - administration, community development etc.
4. For the school - teaching English and Chinese, administration, supervising construction.

From the fullness of His grace,  may you have one blessing after another...

Have a Joyful & Peaceful Christmas and a Blessed New Year

With Christ's love,  Polly HO