January 16, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings to you all in this wonderful New Year. Christmas was super busy for us as usual. Michael was not only doing his job, but also the job of his office administrator who recently retired.

Each year our church gives baskets of food to the poor just before Christmas. Baskets include a whole chicken, rice, lentils, macaroni, corn meal, sugar, coffee, tea, canned vegetables, can of tuna, cooking oil, mayonnaise, milk, eggs, butter, and a Christmas cake. This year we had 100 families on the list, quite a few more than in previous years. The chair person had enough donations for 75 baskets, but wasn't sure how they were going to be able to supply the other 25 families. Michael, who didn't want any family left out, was able to give them enough money so all of the families would be given food. He had been saving to buy a new acoustic guitar and used what he had saved up. The neck on his guitar has warped and is
difficult for him to play now. He plays guitar for the church every week-- for the youth choir rehearsals and for other occasions.

One special occasion we celebrated at the church was Michael's 10 anniversary as a priest. He was ordained 10 years ago at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, California. He was honored after both the 7:30 and 10:30 services. I made a little speech at the 7:30 service for it. Then I took lots of pictures of those who came up to congratulate Michael and give thanks to his service. It was really touching. The youth at the 10:30 service spelled out his name giving each letter a meaning that reflects his personality.  It was really cute.

Michael planned the bilingual services for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. They were lovely services. We played duets for the Christmas Day and New Year's Eve Service. I played the flute and he played the recorder. I'm used to the New Year's Eve Service now. Getting "caught" in the church is the way Panamanians like to start the New Year. They believe God will bring them blessings throughout the year if they're in church at midnight. The service ended a bit early so most of us stood outside to watch the fireworks that were being shot throughout the city.

The youth had a very nice Epiphany service on January 6. Michael played guitar since we didn't have an organist that evening.

Summer camp started on the 8th. Michael was chaplain for the teens, ages 12-17. He also was the musician and played guitar at all the services and sing-alongs. He's posting pictures on his blog and telling camp stories in parts because he took 180 photos. You can also see pictures of all the events I mentioned above and lots more. Please feel free to visit the site
regularly to keep updated on our work. Michael still writes about the saints for saint days, which are interesting and fun to read.

Your missionaries in Panama,
Mona and Michael Dresbach
mgdbach@hotmail.com  - Michael
mldbach1@yahoo.com  - Mona
http://padremickey.blogspot.com

Please pass this letter on to everyone. If you would like to make donations or a monthly pledge to our mission, 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.