Merry Christmas From the Babcocks!

What a Year! It was Jan. 1st, 2013, at about 1:00 am..... We were on our way to a course and several speaking engagements in Florida, and were settling down in our hotel room for a phone appointment with our colleagues in Malawi. They confirmed that they would be leaving Malawi for good, and that several other things would change there as well. We would miss them, and this would make things very different for us when we returned. But we had no idea just how many more surprises lay in store for us in this new year: new and exciting partnerships, further training, a trip to India, and even a new baby on the way! Before she is even born, our little girl has been on four continents. This has been a very full year! Hello and Good-Bye Our most recent excitement was, of course, our trip to Malawi. Everything went very well. (Thanks for praying!) We had excellent meetings with our new colleagues, and got to know them and their work much better. It's so exciting how God is working through them and we are looking forward to joining them next year! We also made progress on the govt. paperwork needed to return next Summer, as well as other administrative details. And, thanks to our new colleagues, we found storage for our African household belongings which we needed to move off a property that is changing hands. A happy/sad part of our trip was that we were blessed to see our former colleagues, the Willsons, but sad to say goodbye, as they left Malawi this December and will not be returning. They blessed us in so many ways, and we thank God for their friendship, and all that they accomplished in Malawi. Beyond all the important stuff, it was just nice to be back, to reconnect, to see familiar sights, and to remember in a fresh way just why God called us to Africa in the first place. Our first night back in Malawi our kids said: "This feels just like coming home after a long trip." Praise the Lord!

Another Good-Bye As we were just about to return to Canada (halfway home, in fact, on an extended layover) we received news that Dean's mother had passed away. This was not unexpected, as she was in the last stages of Alzheimers. The only question was when we would have to say goodbye. After landing in Toronto, we were able to continue directly to Illinois for the funeral. Mom devoted herself to serving others, and sharing Jesus, living in such a way that we were able to honor her faith, follow her example, and celebrate her homegoing. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy will live on. Some fun family facts and figures from 2013: Miles Driven: 22,255 in North America International Airports flown in/out off: 11 Shoe sizes our three kids have grown: 10 (that's a lot of shoes!)

Moving boxes can be fun on any continent!

Teenagers in the house: 1 Most teeth lost: Jonathan - on four different continents! Not many kids can say that. Most hair donated: Sarah (16 inches) Most books read: Christopher over 90 (most between 200-400 pages). Number of courses, trainings, conferences Steffi and Dean completed: 8 each Number of people we fit into an Indian rickshaw: all 5 of us, plus 5 suitcases and a backpack. (We were congratulated by some Indians for having become truly Indian). Number of blessings received this year: countless!

Looking Ahead/Prayer Requests for 2014: We begin an online four month course in January. Baby Babcock is due in early March. We've got lots of required reading assignments, and more churches to visit. Please continue to pray that God will provide full funding for us, including monthly support and a good used vehicle in Malawi that will help us reach people living in rural and remote areas. We hope to move back to Malawi in Summer of 2014. Thank you for your partnership with us in spreading the Gospel, equipping Malawians to meet their most basic needs, and leading leaders to promote Christian maturity in their communities. At this time of year, as we celebrate our Savior's birth, looking back with thankfulness, and forward with anticipation, remember that the God who led you in the past will lead you in the future, and that He is more than sufficient to help you meet every challenge you will face. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! With love,

Dean and Stephanie Babcock, Christopher, Jonathan, Sarah, and Baby Babcock

Some of our new colleagues at the Crown training center.