Dear Friends:

We are rejoicing with the Congolese that there is calm in the capital, and a commitment on the part of the losing Presidential candidate Bemba to cooperate with President Kabila to build rather than destroy this country.

However, "calm" without "justice" is not true peace. Many further miracles are needed to transform the hearts of leaders and government workers who have had years of nursing on corruption.

Worldwide, the mythology of "redemptive violence" continues to reign. We are presented with a steady diet by Hollywood and the media of violence in all genres: westerns, drama, science fiction, mystery, cartoons, and horror. Superman, Batman, Star-Wars, James Bond, X-men, Zoro, are but a few from our "older generation" - still being "reborn." Here in the DRC, the joint women's choir's song for this Christmas ENDS with the command of King Herod: "Go kill all the little children aged 1 month to 2 years." This is the finale? Fascination with killing is not the 'good news of great joy' that we lift up at Christmas time.

Does Jesus' command to "love your enemies" and "do good to those who hate you", apply to nation-states or only to individuals? M. L. King, Gandhi, and other less-celebrated leaders of non-violent successful actions have demonstrated that the ethics of Jesus CAN effectively resist evil and disarm some of the governing "bullies" of the world!

We are thinking of the many servicemen and women separated from their family at this Christmas time. We weep for the many barriers imprisoning and dividing people. But our hope is founded in the kingdom of God demonstrated in living color by Jesus--born a refugee, not willing that any should perish, bringing grace to all, with special care for the marginalized, and speaking truth to power.

Your presence, dear friends, adds color to our lives. Imagine a hand-painted Christmas card from an artist in Kinshasa that we wish we could send to you, if our email system would allow it. During our home assignment starting July 2007, we look forward to seeing many of you in person, and you may select the one you wish!

As we go into the New Year, may we transmit the light of life to those who sit in darkness...and ask for guidance for our feet in the "way of Peace." (Luke 1:79)

Shalom, Paix, Vrede, Pax, Pokoj, Beke,

Lynn and Virgil