Dear Family & Friends,

Wow has the time passed by and here we are in December already! We are presently in the New England area visiting dear friends from the English, Portuguese and French speaking churches. They have all received us with great love and hospitality. We are being hosted in the home of Russ & Chris Ventura, very dear friends that have made us feel so at home! Their input, prayer and encouragement is beyond value to us at this very important juncture of our life and ministry.

Our first Sunday here Dale and I tag-team shared in the Hanover, MA Foursquare Church pastored by John & Lori Hatcher; It is a lovely church and the people were so receptive. It was a tremendous blessing. John & Lori are not only our former Supervisors but very dear and precious friends. Their church is flourishing and fruit-bearing. It was nourishing just being there.

That very afternoon we were guests at the Haitian (French speaking) Brockton, MA Church. Pastor Andre Paul and his congregation were a great blessing to see and share with. They took us to dinner and their church board shared and interacted with us until time to head for our evening service.

That same Sunday night Dale and I spoke in two different Portuguese speaking Foursquare Churches; Dale spoke in the Malden, MA church and I spoke to the Brockton, MA church. Pastors Cairo & Iracy Marques and their son & daughter-in-law, Roberto & Marcia, Leo & Mariangela, were our host pastors. God ministered to all of our lives and hearts with special prayer for teens, couples and any who were specifically in the midst of deep trials of their faith.

A very unique and interesting experience followed on Thurs evening at the Plymouth, MA Portuguese speaking Foursquare church; Pastors Elvis & Daniele were our host pastors and their incredibly exuberant 30's something (age-wise) congregation of about 40+ members could not have been any more loving and receptive than they were! What a fun time!

On Saturday night we braved our first "snowstorm" (remember we are Californians) in order to go to Lynn, MA; north of Boston and join in with between 50-60 Portuguese speaking leaders in their divisional Christmas dinner. It was just marvelous. A delicious and irresistible Brazilian Christmas extravaganza! This was hosted by Pastors John & Eliana Runyon of Lynn. It was catered by Pastor Ozmar & Iara Godoy de Oliviera (a never to be forgotten menu!) I will only mention one mouthwatering delicacy: mousse of passion fruit, (maracuja) in Portuguese! Oh was it ever delicious.

Supervisors Jim & Melinda Scott were there and shared stimulating and encouraging Christmas greetings. They are very dear and long time friends. We had much to catch up on. It was a great evening and every seat was taken in spite of the "snowstorm". What faithful and courageous folks live here in the NE. :)

This past Sunday we were in the Foxboro, MA Foursquare Church with pastor's Mike & Mary Bave. It was such a precious and Spirit-anointed time! They are very sensitive and humble leaders and God is in their midst. We joined them and 3 other families for a wonderful and outstanding lunch and time of fellowship around the Pats vs Dolphins game; needless to say the opening of game created an electrifying atmosphere but by the end...rather sad :( to say the least. Remember that New Englanders really, really, really take sports very seriously. May they all recuperate before next Sunday. :)

Sunday night was the joyous experience of being in Pastor Eduardo & Livania's Portuguese Speaking Foursquare church in Weymouth, MA. The presence of the Lord was so manifest that I could not hold back the tears. We shared the Lord's Supper together and God by His Spirit was ministering richly to all of our lives. One precious lady had just very recently been healed completely of a serious kidney ailment which was going to require surgery. We all joined her as she shared her testimony in praising the Lord for this miraculous answer. To our utter amazement Cairinho (the pastor's son of 13) played the keyboard with the worship team and just blew us away. We remember him as a little kid. We had the joy of seeing the great work the Lord is doing in their little son Venisios' (Vinnie's) life, and body, as he receives ongoing healing from some physical needs that stem from his difficult birth.

We were able to visit with some very dear friends last night here in Bridgewater and enjoy the good report of all that God is doing in their lives. I forgot to mention that I brought my color analysis equipment with me, at my daughter's request, and have been able to utilize it in the consignment shop of a friend, to do "colors" for some ladies who desired that service. I always have a great deal of FUN doing color-analysis for folks! By the way I have been able to update my website if you would like to check it out. You will find it at: www.yourpersonalpalette.homestead.com

That is all for now, Christmas blessing to all of you and all of yours from us! You are dear and precious to us and we pray for the most meaningful Christmas you have ever had; not centered in what you might be receiving but in what you might be able to share with others. Isn't this the present day challenge for all of us. Don't forget the needy in your family, church or area during this time. Doing anything for them is, in essence, doing it for Christ.

Much love,
Dale & Patti Downs :) :)