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Daily Scripture
 
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

CHRISTMAS DINNER, NATIVITY SCENES AND A CROCODILE

When Lisa was on her way to her co-worker`s house the guys carried a big crocodile into the village.

December 24, 2007

by Dena McMaster

"The decorations are up -- my nativity scenes are out -- and Christmas is coming," wrote missionary Lisa Kappeler in Papua New Guinea.

No chance of a white Christmas for Lisa and her teammates ministering among the Uriai people. But Lisa has a little tree and intends to watch her very favorite Christmas video, "How the Grinch stole Christmas."

Lisa and her co-workers will get together tonight for appetizers and dessert. They'll be sharing photos of other Christmases "back home." Tomorrow they'll have dinner together -- with turkey and all the trimmings.

In the midst of all their Christmas plans they had a typical Uriai adventure to remind them they were still in Papua New Guinea. Lisa's teammates, Elias and Jose Struik had invited everyone over for dinner. Just as they were about to begin, a huge crocodile was carried into the village.

Several Uriai men had dug a hole near a small river in the jungle to catch a crocodile. This "papa of all crocs" fell into the hole and couldn't get out. One of the guys hit him between the eyes with a machete and they tied this 10 foot fellow to a pole to carry him back to the village.

Everyone trooped over to see the big guy -- still alive and kicking -- and he opened his big mouth wide and snapped at anyone near.

"A little scary to think that he was roaming around in the jungle," wrote Lisa. "I've crossed that river a number of times."

Lisa Kappeler, M'liss Spero, and Elias and Jose Struik are celebrating Christmas today in a land faraway. Pray that their lives will demonstrate the love of Jesus to the Uriai people and that soon the Uriais will hear the Gospel message and can share in the Christmas celebrations with them.