Christmas, 2008
“Glimpses of grace,” my newsletter’s tag line, sums up this past year pretty nicely. About this time last year, I left my full-time job at St. Paul’s Darien, took a part-time job at Yale, and sent my first newsletter to tell friends and family about my calling to Taiwan. Then, believing that joining God’s purposes wherever I happen to be would be the best preparation for Taiwan, I started investing my free time in the Elm City Vineyard, the new church that a bunch of friends and I planted here in New Haven last November, as well as in at-risk youth in the community. From hearing the teens at the youth center speak eloquently of non-violence to community leaders, to discovering that the pastor we hoped to partner with had been praying since meeting me that I’d somehow get connected with his community house, to the prayerful tears of a new partner church, and many other stories, there are too many moments of grace to tell.
Thinking on how God came to us in frailty has been especially meaningful to me this Christmas as I look at the challenges that await me in the hurting community I will join in Taipei. I don’t feel very strong or wise, and these days, I often find myself trying to help out in situations where I feel beyond my depth. In those moments, I am deeply thankful for our Emmanuel who came to be with us, at the very margins of society.
As I anticipate leaving for Taiwan in July, I can’t tell you how much it means to me, a gal trying to live between two worlds, to have friends that come along and take the time to share in that other world. Thank you so much for stepping into my shoes to see through my eyes, and for turning what you see into love and prayer throughout this year. God bless you richly this Christmas and in 2009!
With love,
Audrey
