Mike and Maria Long

Christmas in Chicago and Ministry Tour Schedule

We get to enjoy Christmas with our daughters who are studying in the states.  We are so anxious to be with family.  No presents (money is short). No parties (partied out). No food ... (well we are not going to fast). Just fireplace, family, and friends.  We hope you enjoy a special Christmas and God's love truly warms your heart. As riots and unrest continue in Greece, may peace reign on earth.

After Christmas, we head off for a grand ministry trip.  Here is the schedule:

Dec 24 Arrive in Chicago

Dec 28 Olive Branch Chicago

Dec 29 Winona Lake, IN

Dec 30 Bedford, IN

Dec 31 Columbus, GA

Jan 4 Columbus, GA

Jan 6 Pensacola, FL

Jan 9 Davenport FL.30 pm

Jan 10 St. Pete Regional Training

Jan 11 am Tampa Celebration

Jan 14 Lakeland Life & Light

Jan 17 Hialeah (Miami) Regional Training

Jan 18 am WPB Neighborhood

    pm Brazilian Mission Rally

Jan 19 Orlando Regional Training

Jan 21 Libbieville, LA

Jan 22 Acme, LA

Jan 23 Oak Grove Mission Rally

Jan 25 am Shreveport, LA

    pm Provencal, LA

Jan 28 St. Pete, FL

Feb 1 Port Charlotte, FL

Feb 4 Dade City, FL

Feb 6 Ocala Mission Rally

Feb 8 am Ocala, FL pm Kissimmee, FL

Feb 9 Depart for the Greece

 

Kourabiedes Greek Christmas Cookies

Recipe for Kourabiedes

INGREDIENTS:

2 kilos soft flour

1 kilo butter

300 grams powdered sugar

300 grams crushed roasted almonds

1 small glass cognac

1 teaspoon baking soda

Rosewater

Preheat oven to medium (175c).

•  Whiten the butter by beating by hand for ½ hour. Add the sugar, cognac, almonds and finally the flour, mixed with the baking soda. Continue to beat until all ingredients are well mixed.

•  Mold into the familiar shapes of the kourambiethes and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with rosewater, then roll in the powder sugar.

Greece Erupts in Riots and Unrest

A Rioter throws object with molotov in hand.  "Men loved the darkness rather than the light" Jn 3:19.  Turning their back on the light, rage has filled their hearts with evil.

I took a quick drive to the city center late this afternoon to make the Church was not in danger. Services have been suspended since Sunday evening. The bookstore and our home is on the outskirts of one million population, Thessaloniki. We are safe, but the center is like a war zone.  The church is far enough away from the main streets, police stations, and govenment offices.

In my 25 year experience, I have never seen the city like this before.  The streets are empty...no crowds, no life, and no cars.  There is parking everywhere in a city that never has parking.  Everyone is afraid that their car will get burnt. Main streets are closed. Trash dumpsters are turned over everywhere and burnt. Store windows are boarded up with sheet metal, and boards. Endless window shopping no longer exists for any Christmas shoppers daring to shop.  Benneton, Mark & Spencers, and others have been hit and are just burnt remains. Students in large gangs huddle and decide on the next target. Christmas is not bright here, except for glass replacement companies.  The atmosphere is rage and anger.  It reveals the frustration and desparation of a generation without even the faintest knowledge or fear of God.

The heart after God wants to run out in the streets to bring peace and calm.  Wisdom cautions to avoid becoming a target along with everything else American. Compassion drives us all to our knees crying to the Prince of Peace to reign in the hearts of the youth.

1 Tim 2:2 Pray for kings. Pray for all who are in authority. Pray that we will live peaceful and quiet lives. And pray that we will be godly and holy. (NIRV)

Our family leaves for the States on Dec 22 to be together with our other two daugthers.  Most of our ministry time will be in the southeast states and Florida until Feb 9. We are getting ready for a great time.

Gina in the picture was inspired by Psalm 13 to write a song. She shared it at Spring Arbor U. chapel.  It was a true blessing.

Thessaloniki guest beds have been working non stop. Stolen passports. Visiting ministers. Resident Visa applications. Groups from Bulgaria. Recovering addicts. 21 guests in one month. 1 Pet 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.