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           December 2000- January 2001

This period of time has been a particularly busy one for all of us including the Children. The new millenium has brought new experiences for all. Gideon started Kindergarten school at the start of January and Melody started Primary school. They are both doing well and enjoying their new challenges. Tim launches into this new millenium with new openings overseas plus new challenges here in our Singapore church and Shendy continues teaching in her Kindergarten but with a sense that God will expand her ministry this year.

Shen,Melody and Gideon sitting at the table ready for our Christmas meal.

Christmas time was a time of celebration as we remembered our Lord's birth and ,more importantly, the fact that he gave His life so we can be re-born. Our Church held a Christmas evangelistic event during which Tim led the counsellor's team. We invited a Christian band called 'Forerunner' who put on a great show and we saw six people give their lives to Jesus and numerous more come forward for healing prayer (there was over 120 people in all).

Straight after Christmas we continued the Birthday celebration mood (Christmas being Jesus' Birthday although He probably was born in October during the Feast of Tabernacles - this was one of the many facts that Tim brought forth during our Church Christmas Quiz on Christmas day) - Melody had a great Birthday on Boxing Day with six friends coming to play games and eat! Gideon's Birthday on the 5th January was a quieter affair but his school celebrated with a cake for him. During all this time many presents arrived from Tim's family in England and there was a sense of abundant blessing coming through our door. We're so thankful to God for all He as done to encourage us after last year's 'lean' period.

Shen was unexpectedly given two and a quarter month's bonus and Tim (who doesn't get a regular salary but trusts the Lord to provide through love offerings) received the equivalent of a two month bonus (based on his normal income level)  when someone gave an unexpected but highly appreciated gift into our UK account! Praying for the reason for this blessing we feel that it is for our missions travels this year.

Tim is off to teach at Christ Community College in Kuala Lumpur from the last week of January until the first week of February. This is the Bible College associated with Rev.Dr.Albert Isaac's Church who's been our good friend since Bible School days. Tim will teach on 'The Big Picture'  (God's Vision and Calling for us). Later (end February or early March) Tim plans to lead a missions team to Batam, Indonesia from our Church. We have ongoing work with an indigenous church that has been pioneered amongst the poor factory workers there. Then, in June, we're (Tim and Shendy) off to the Philippines for LCM's (ministry Tim is ordained under) annual conference.

Imbetween all these trips we'll carry on with our normal activities here in Singapore (Tim with his pastoral responsibilities and teaching preparations plus looking after the kids in the mornings and Shen with her Kindergarten teaching). This year Tim is taking over the Young Adult Fellowship leadership after the sudden stepping down of the previous leader - this was actually prophecied at the Church camp last year! Tim also takes over the Christian Growth Classes leadership which is undergoing a restructuring and along with his Worship Leading, Preaching and Teaching will make him a busy man.

Tim also is encouraged by the internet ministry. Many people have written back to him with positive feedback that articles etc.. have blessed them. There was one lady who had been hurt by a colleague who turned to the internet for ideas to plan for revenge! She came to the Gibson Family Christian Resource looking and found an article on forgiveness that melted her heart and healed her bitterness towards that person. Tim's teaching downloads are doing well too, well over 10,000 downloads in all, and growing! Tim's popular free Preacher's illustrations and Jokes download has been distributed on a CD in America. Tim even had an e-mail from Australia saying that a new small film company wants to use one of his songs in a film production (no payment but an honourable mention!!!). Many of his teaching courses are being used in small church groups (Song of Solomon, The Big Picture and First Corinthians are being taught by people who've e-mailed Tim that they're using the material in America, Australia and other places).

Do uphold us in prayer and let us know any revelation or words you get.

Shalom!

               Melody and Gideon on Christmas Day.

Tim,Shen,Melody and Gideon