Hello my dear family and co-workers in the kingdom of God. Thank you very much for your love, your prayers, and your financial contributions. Without your partnership, what we are doing would not be possible.
I (Alberto) look back on the year and I see the orange uniforms of the prisoners, and it reminds me of how grateful I am to be free. The color of Christmas is red, for the blood of Jesus, which is the price that was paid for our true freedom. This Christmas, let us celebrate our freedom, but remember those who are incarcerated. Pray that Jesus will become their true freedom, and that they can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
As a family update, Ana and Frenchie were blessed with the birth of Radley Zeal this past August. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet him in Hawaii when we were back in the US, and we miss them so much! Ana and Frenchie continue to serve the Lord through YWAM’s Fire & Fragrance ministry.
Isaac is enjoying being an uncle and living close to Ana and Frenchie in Kona, while learning the nuts and bolts of the coffee industry. He is technically a roaster, although is gaining experience in different aspects of the business, from farming to being a barista.
Margaret finished her second year of college and is enjoying her Arts & Communication major. This is a very practical/technical degree, as she is doing a lot of digital art and branding. She has just moved into a lovely apartment with two girls from her school.
Phoebe has finished another year at Beautiful Minds, and her facilitator Nicole is absolutely amazing and will continue with us next year. This is the first year that we will have no change of school or facilitator for Phoebe. She is improving in her speech and really enjoying her classmates. Nicole’s energy and perseverance have been a huge blessing to us.
Phoebe received a few challenging medical updates this year, which we are still trying our best to address. She swung from hypo to hyperthyroidism, then to the extreme thyrotoxicosis. She has almost rebalanced now, though this will likely be a long-term pendulum. An anti-inflammatory prescription for gut inflammation gave her the unusual side-effect of hair loss. Her diabetes continues to be an enormous challenge in our lives, particularly when her pump or sensor malfunctions. The good thing is that we have amazing doctors in both countries, and some of them even know each other and respect each other’s input!
I (Joanna) have enjoyed my year of doing staff applications for YWAM and leading a small group. It seems like every year a baby is born in our small group, so I am not deprived of holding babies! I continue to be involved in a feeding program in a nearby under-resourced community, where children are fed a home-made meal and shown the love of Christ.
We had a wonderful time reconnecting with many of you this past August. Phoebe and I are returning to Boston very briefly for Christmas, for a court date to hopefully finalize my guardianship application. Sadly, my request for a Zoom hearing was denied. It’s a bittersweet moment of realizing Phoebe is now 18 and would ordinarily be of the age to make all her own medical and financial decisions.
If you would like to support our ministry in South Africa, one way to do so is on the Park Street Church online giving platform: parkstreet.churchcenter.com/giving/to/paradas-partner-missionaries. While we receive a portion of our support directly from Park Street Church, the majority comes from individuals and families. We are grateful for your support.
An alternative way of giving is directly through YWAM’s office in Texas: ywamepj.org/pay-give/. They accept donations on our behalf and offer tax-deductible receipts. Please designate Alberto and Joanna Parada when giving.
May the joy of Christ’s birth bring you hope this Christmas season.
Love,
Alberto, Joanna, Ana and Frenchie (and Radley), Isaac, Margaret, and Phoebe Parada