I think it is a natural thing to look back over 2024 at this time of the year. Many thoughts and many questions. I have realized I am far less confident in myself and trying hard to be confident in the Lord. We look back and we can testify that the Lord was our help. He has shown Himself to be good despite us. I am convinced that God will take, the two fish and five loaves we have given Him this year and He will use it in His purposes. I am reminded that it is amazing what can be achieved if you do not focus on getting the glory, but rather wanting all the glory to go to God.

The road ahead is completely unclear. 2025 will be a year of change. We are having to ‘pivot’ and ‘tent make’. I’ve brought my LinkedIn profile up to date, brushed off my CV and brought it into the 21st century. I am applying for job opportunities, TEFL work, and I have a meeting with Quest in the Eastern Cape early Jan. My only goal right now is to ensure income for Suann and me.

I remember a poster from many years ago that said, “obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off the Son”. I was reminded when Daniel addresses the matter to the King, he says something most interesting – “[God] knows what is in the darkness.” (2:22) We cannot see it, but God can. This thought is in Minnie Louise Haskins’ famous poem on “the gate of the year” – “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’

This is true for use for all of us. We have just celebrated the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. God became flesh and dwelt among us and we call Him Emmanual. These are thoughts are too lofty for us to fully grasp. I feel the desperate need to have light and I pray for you as I pray for us, strengthen our faith Lord that we may follow you even in the darkness. He has promised to be with us. Do we need anything more? Personally I pray that I may have the faith to step more into me being nothing and the Lord being everything. The Lord bless and keep you and go before you.