Warm New Year's greetings from Brazil! At the start of this new year, we thank God for each of your lives, and for your continued investment in our ministry in this beautiful country which we call our home.

When Marilyn's brother Phil and family visited us last month from Christmas Eve through New Year's Eve, God gave us beautiful summer weather, and we were able to take several day trips during that time. Using a spacious van loaned by a friend, the six of us drove to Campos do Jordao, a European style tourist town in the mountains, and several days later to the coastal town of Guaruja to enjoy a white sandy beach and the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean. It was very special to have family come and experience our day-to-day lives here, and it was also special to be able to introduce Phil and family to our friends here in Brazil. We had a group of 21in our home on Christmas Day and enjoyed a feast of turkey and ham followed by singing Christmas carols and doing special activities related to Christmas.

Since we have a few weeks before second semester resumes at PACA, we have been working on various maintenance and painting projects around the house which living in a humid climate necessitates. Marilyn has begun meeting with Liz, the Chinese single mother, twice a week for discipleship, and Ken continues to meet with her son, Michael, weekly for discipleship as well. Next week Marilyn will have cheerleading tryouts for Mariela, a senior who attended OBA in Enid, Oklahoma for first semester, and then Marilyn will have her 2-day over-night cheerleading clinic for the complete squad. After a whole year of praying, Marilyn is excited about the girls that God has brought for her to minister to through cheerleading. Please pray for the spiritual growth and physical protection of each girl throughout the second semester sports season, and that God will be glorified through PACA cheerleading.

Also during this semester break, we have been checking out various health issues that we've been facing. Please pray for Ken's knee that swelled up after he jogged on the sand barefoot during our beach trip. Last week, Ken visited an orthopedic specialist who drained 150cc of fluid from his left knee, and since then, his knee has been feeling much better. This was the same doctor who operated on Ken's other knee about 9 years ago, but hopes that surgery will not be necessary. Rather than jogging for exercise, Ken has switched to using an exercise bike and the PACA pool. This week, Marilyn hopes to visit Ken's doctor about her continuing tendonitis, so please be praying for wisdom for Dr. Moises.

However, the biggest prayer request on our hearts is for Marilyn's father, Harry Friesen, who was hospitalized on Dec. 30th for congestive heart failure and pneumonia, and not expected to make it through the night. Miraculously, through answers to prayer, Dad has been gradually improving, though he still remains in the local hospital in Marion, Kansas. We would appreciate your prayers not only for the complete recovery of Marilyn's father, but also for strength and wisdom for Marilyn's mom, Millie Friesen, as she makes adjustments and decisions regarding the future. We, too, are seeking God's direction, as to what He wants us to do to help Marilyn's parents.

Thanks again for your love and prayers!

Love in Christ,

Ken & Marilyn