December 23, 2005

Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays! Advent is almost over and it’s been a long one this year.  Michael has chosen to do Morning Prayer for the Sunday services in preparation for Christmas since Christmas is on Sunday this year. It has taken the congregation some time to getting used to the chanting, but I’ve been getting positive feedback. Many of the older people are happy to hear chanting again. It reminds them of their youth. Michael’s hoping to do Morning Prayer more often. It’s really a lovely service. I love the chanting and the simplicity of it.

The youth choir is slowly getting better. It’s been a challenge to direct them. I’ve never directed a choir before. Bernie Murray, our organist, and I are trying to help them to sing better. It’s coming. I’ve learned that most of the music in Spanish is not written down, or at least not found written in Panama. I went on line to search for music, but without hearing it first, I hesitate to buy any. If anyone of you have experience in this
area and have some suggestions for Spanish language anthems, please feel free to e-mail me.

One of the girls from the Girl’s Home (Hogar de Niñas de Capitál), has been coming to St. Christopher’s on Sunday. She had moved back into her mother’s house several months ago. She told me she’s not in school this semester, but plans on returning in March when the new school year begins. I’m never quite sure if she’s telling me the truth or what she thinks I want to hear. This seems to be a trait in many people I’ve met, especially the children. Please keep her in your prayers. Her name is Yaneth.

Two new missionaries have joined us-Kenny and Oonagh Ryan-King. They had been living with us since October. Kenny was just ordained a priest by Bishop Murray at St. Luke’s in Ancon. They just moved to Almirante in Bocas del Toro to help the Rev. Glenda McQueen. Glenda has been working four churches and is looking forward to the help. Michael and I have known Oonagh and Kenny from our Seminary days Berkeley. It was a lot of fun having them live with us.

It’s the time of year when summer camp is being planned. We’re hoping that, once again, we can send all our kids to camp in January. We feel it’s really important for every child in our church to have summer camp experience. Thanks to your help in the past and the help of our parishioners, we’ve been able to accomplish that. Many of the children and teens who come to our church don’t have much and scholarships are the only way they are able to attend Diocesan events.

The Hogar de Niñas had a Christmas party yesterday to honor its volunteers.  I picked up Mrs. Kelly for the event. We’re very pleased to have been invited and be a part of it. We had a lovely time with the girls. They served an excellent meal, had music, and opened presents. They were wearing new clothes and shoes. I don’t remember if I mentioned that one of the girls, Omaira, has been given a scholarship to study in Spain for a year.  We’re really proud of her.

Michael’s been busy as usual. He helped with Kenny’s ordination a couple of weeks ago. He’s also teaching a class on the Prayer Book. The class started last week and will run for about six weeks. It is similar to an EFM class; it is for those who are considering enter the ordination process here in the Diocese of Panamá. He also prepared bible studies for Jr. High Summer Camp coming up next month.

Have a very Merry Christmas. May the peace of God be with all of you during this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year.

Your missionaries in Panama,
Mona and Michael Dresbach
mgdbach@gmail.com  -Michael
mldbach1@yahoo.com  -Mona

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please contact St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave., San Jose, CA
95125, 408-292-7090.  Please feel free to check St. Francis' web site at
www.stfrancisepiscopalchurch.org, which includes an archive of our letters
and pictures of our mission.