Dear Friends,

We send you these wishes for a joyful and blessed Christmas from California, where we are ending our six-month interpretation assignment in the United States.

From the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts of the United States, from the beaches of southern California to Virginia Beach and back, including trips from Durham, North Carolina, to Kentucky, Sea Pines Plantation, South Carolina; Providence, Rhode Island; Northville, Michigan and on to Las Cruces, New Mexico, we’ve been on the road since June. North, south, east and west, we’ve passed through 26 states visiting and sharing with Presbyterian churches about Trinity Theological College in Singapore and our work there. Though each church was different, it was a joy to see their genuine interest and involvement in mission. As mission co-workers of the PC(USA), we are given a list of churches that direct their support to or are interested in our work. Visiting these churches in person allowed us to move beyond the ink and page to establish a real relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly responsible partners in our work overseas. The hospitality we received at every church and the friendships we formed we will treasure in our hearts and hope God will provide us an opportunity to visit with these congregations and friends once again. And if we missed your church, we hope to be able to see you next time around!

God’s providence has been evident from the beginning of our travels. We purchased a mini-van in California and have driven it over 15,000 miles with no problems. Friends in Durham, North Carolina, located a furnished house to rent there for our two-and-a-half months. It was just across the street from a small park where the kids play and parents gather each afternoon. Surrounded by great neighbors, we were situated not far from our church and Duke University. It was truly a "home away from home." Tom was even provided an office at Duke Divinity School, where he was able to complete his book and submit it for possible publication; he was even able to fit in shoulder surgery at the Duke Medical Center. It was good to see our old friends and to make many new ones. We realize that we are very blessed that we truly love the people and places we have been called to—and the people and place we have been called from. It makes saying goodbye a bit easier.

We are now in California getting ready for the holidays and for our return for another term of service in Singapore. We spent Thanksgiving with Judy’s family in Garden Grove and will travel up to Tom’s hometown, Susanville, for Christmas. We return to Singapore on December 29. Our address will remain the same (as below) until June. There are many changes awaiting us when we return. We have another new principal and will be moving to our new campus this May and June. It will be a very busy and important time for Trinity College as it expands both in size and in its potential for influence in Southeast Asia. Please keep this transition in your prayers. Please pray for our family as well, as we make decisions about schools and our various commitments. Our level of activity was getting a bit high and we need wisdom to know the things to which we are truly called.

May worship and joy fill this season as you gather with friends and family.

Love

Tom, Judy, Joseph, Paul and Emma Harvey

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 153