Natal Alegre e Ano Novo Feliz! (Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year)

We have had a pretty busy month since we talked to you last, as we were out of town from Nov. 30th - Dec. 18th for training at the Missionary Training Institute outside of Colorado Springs. We will be sending out a newsletter next month that will give more details about the experience, which was amazing... we want to recommend it to everyone, even if you're not going on the mission field overseas :) Since we have been back, things have been busy with Christmas events and seeing family, so we're thankful to be able to rest these last couple of days and continue processing more of what we learned in CO.

The month of January will be mainly spent support raising as this is the last thing we have now keeping us from leaving for the field. We are at approximately 65% right now and we will be able to leave as soon as we raise at least 85%. We do not have any time constraints for when we need to leave, and will be able to buy our tickets as soon as the support comes in. We're shooting for being in Brazil at the end of February, but we have learned many times before that the Lord's timing isn't always the same as ours, so we're continuing to press into the Lord and wait on Him as we share with others how He is at work in Brazil. We have a couple of invitations to speak in January, but welcome any opportunities to share at small groups, Sunday schools, in churches, or even if you know individuals who would be interested to hear. Thank you to those of you who have spoken on behalf of us to your missions pastors and churches... we have felt so loved by you, our supporters, friends and family!

If you are looking for a ministry that needs your last minute tax-deductible gift for the year 2009, you've got a lot of great options... and we encourage you to give to them with joy! If you would like to make a last minute donation in 2009 to what we'll be doing in Brazil, the easiest way would be to donate through our website at www.themissionsociety.org/people/mersinger. At this time, we are thankful to say that all of our pre-field needs have been met and we are mainly in need of monthly or even yearly commitments, which will get us to and keep us on the field.

Thanks so much for your encouragement throughout this past year! We look forward with excitement for what lies ahead in this coming year!

Peace

The Mersingers
mersingerzoo@gmail.com
941-485-3901
941-234-7321 (Boost Mobile, do I need to say more?)
www.themissionsociety.org/people/mersinger
www.mersingerzoo.blogspot.com