December 5, 2007 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."     Luke 2. 8-11 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO YOU—OUR CHERISHED FRIENDS AND PRAYER WARRIORS! We have just returned from Malawi and Mozambique, the warm heart of Africa, to the warm hearts of family and friends of America. It seems that we relate more to the poor shepherds and those living the simple life because of the abject poverty and needs we were encompassed with in Africa. How beautiful that God sent Jesus to be the good news for all people. As briefly as possible we want to share with you the beautiful way God touched and blessed the precious people of Malawi and Mozambique these past 7 weeks. Before we begin sharing let us first say thank you from the depths of our hearts for your faithful prayers and support during this mission. The opposition and spiritual warfare was extremely strong but we saw God’s victorious power at work in behalf of His Word in so many ways. We stayed healthy and strong physically and know that is because you were praying. Together we will know all God did when we get to heaven. Our trip over was not uneventful because of two plane problems but we saw God’s hand in it as we were able to get there on time and our luggage arrived with us with the overhead projector in tact. We landed facing problems with the translations not being completed and delays in printing but proceeded trusting God. Immediately we saw that purchasing Bibles in the Chichewa language was not going to be easy because even the missionaries on the field there were waiting until 2007 to receive their orders. We prayed and persisted. GOD DID A MIRACLE AND PROVIDED EVEN BETTER BIBLES AT A GREAT PRICE IN THEIR LANGUAGE! The only problems was that we had to transport them with us everywhere we went and that was over 40 boxes of Bibles plus 6 suitcases plus about 14 boxes of printed Bible study materials. All together we traveled over 50 hours by minivan to all the different areas where we held seminars. Praise God! The roads were very good but our greatest challenge was reliable vehicles. It seemed that every vehicle we used had to be pushed to be started and had bad tires and engine problems. Consequently we had to travel with a driver, a conductor (who pushed to start), and an on board mechanic as well as all our Bibles and boxes plus a few other pastors. Fuel was scarce and expensive and there were police checks on the roads every few miles. It seemed like every trip completed was a miracle in itself and we were grateful for safety. The statistician in Duane remains an asset to the ministry so let us share some stats with you which reflect the magnitude of the ministry.   *There were 2,721 people (mostly pastors, evangelists, and wives) who attended the Bible Teaching Seminars in the 6 locations. *We were able to purchase 970 Bibles in 3 languages (English, Chichewa, and Portuguese) and distributed them to those who did not have Bibles. *We photocopied and distributed 54,900 pages of Bible study materials. *We were able to teach over 100 hours of Bible material on different subjects without any problems. The overhead projector worked great! *Because of the kindness of Larry and Frances Jones who donated them we gave 250 Christian books, and 4500 tracts, and Bible Study Booklets. *At each day of Bible Seminars we gave men’s ties and women’s scarves, plus pens, and miscellaneous gifts. (We could use some good used scarves and ties for the next Trip). *Each person who attended a day long seminar received food for 1 meal. *Some transportation and accommodations were provided for those who traveled long Distances. PRAISE GOD FOR THOSE WHO PRAYED AND GAVE TO MAKE THIS OUTPOURING OF BLESSING POSSIBLE! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!! SACRED MOMENTS! At the end of the seminar at Dwangwa (one of the outermost areas) Duane read Psalm 22.. 27 & 28 as the couples were standing at the front of the church symbolizing their commitment of obedience to God. As he read "and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him" there was a holy hush and in unison every person bowed to their knees on the dirt/concrete floor of the church and prayed committing their families tothe Lordship of Jesus Christ. When we finished the seminar in Mozambique and brought out the Bibles on the table, there was an instant response of cheers, whistles, lifting of hands, and praise to God for the Bibles. When we were teaching about Domestic Violence and what Christians can do to help the victims, the Holy Spirit led in such a way that the pastors resolved to form help groups in their communities. During the Bible teaching time there was not even a whisper or a moving about in the whole church. Everyone was listening and taking notes as God spoke to their hearts. Many commented that they had never in their whole life heard Bible teaching except that about salvation. One pastor attended two days of the seminar but had to miss the last day because he had to preach a funeral. He came the next day to get his Bible. He had to wait all day because of other meetings that were going on but was finally given one. He was so grateful. Perhaps the most sacred of all times was just before we were to give out the Bibles. There would be a holy silence come over the whole crowd. At first we did not understand but later we did. You see the Christians were about to receive what they would consider their most cherished and prized possession. It would probably be the only one they would receive for their whole lifetime. It would mean they could now read the Bible to their children and share with others. It was so beautiful to see their expressions of gratitude and joy. It was awesome to know that you and we were a part of God’s divine will in some of the most remote and impoverished areas of the whole world and that His Divine Word would bring light and righteousness to dispel the darkness and evil. THOUGHTS—SIGHTS—FEELINGS Words seem totally inadequate to describe what we think God wants you to know about this mission endeavor so allow us to just share some things with you and maybe the Holy Spirit can give you what He wants you to see and know. *Small children and women carrying large containers of water on their heads to their homes. *People scampering to pick up the empty bottle you threw from the car window. *Pastor’s who were crippled and wearing no shoes. *Pastor sitting 3 days at a Bible seminar on hard wooden benches with a high fever from an attack of malaria not daring to leave lest he not receive Bible study materials and a Bible. *Eating stewed goat intestines and chicken livers and gizzards with our hands at Lunch with the pastor’s and wives. *Seeing witchdoctors with evil masks and animal skin clothes everyday along the road wondering about their spiritual agenda. *Women cooking to feed hundreds of people over an open wood fire. *People preparing their gardens with a crude hoe waiting for the rains to come so they would be able to survive. *Mothers nursing babies and sitting 7 or 8 hours for 3 or 4 days learning from God’s Word without even a hint of complaining. (Babies napping on the concreteFloor.) *People thanking God for remembering them and their desire for spiritual growth. *Pastor giving a Bible to a 12 year old orphan who had become a new believer but would never have been able to purchase one of their own. *The humble but joyous look in the eyes of new believers in Jesus. LOOKING TO FUTURE MINISTRY After seeking the Lord’s guidance, we feel led to combine working in Kenya and Uganda on the same trip to save flight expense. We are still working on final dates but project working in Kenya in late April and May and then in Uganda in May and June. We have driven from Kenya into Uganda before. We may have to take a short flight up to the West Nile region of Uganda if travel by car is not safe. The pastors there are already excited about what God is going to do. In September/October we plan on working in Central America at the invitation of pastors there. At this time we are not sure how many different areas we will reach on this mission but are following the Lord’s leading. One reason we mention next years work is because some of you may want to give before the end of the year to these projects or for the purchase of Bibles for those in these countries who have no Bible. Thanks to many of you there are around 1500 people in Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique reading the Christmas story from their own Bibles for the first time this Christmas. WHAT A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU GAVE! Isaiah 12.4 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His Name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His Name is exalted." That is what we have tried to do through this letter. Through MINTOR MINISTRY you have reached out to those who desperately want and need God’s Word. May you truly feel the joy and satisfaction in your heart that you have responded to God’s leading and opened your heart to help those whom the Lord loves dearly. We pray you and your families have a blessed and worshipful Christmas. REJOICING IN THE LORD FOR GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE! Ministering His Love and His Word to the Outer Regions, Deanna and Duane Hunt MINISTRY IN THE OUTER REGIONS