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December 4th, 2005

Dear Friends of Canadian L'Abri,

Having again entered the Advent season I, doubtless alongside many of
you, am reading Matthew and Luke's accounts of the birth of Christ. While in
past seasons I have pondered over the supernatural features surrounding
Christ's birth -think virgin conception and angelic appearances-this season I
find myself moved and encouraged by the exuberance of God. While Christmas
cards and seasonal homilies typically draw our attention to the fact of
Jesus' birth; we ought to also notice the way in which this birth of Christ is
announced. Indeed it seems as if God the Father can hardly hold back
from declaring the coming of the Son into our midst! As Jacob van Bruggen
summarizes, "through Gabriel to Zechariah and Mary; through angels to
the shepherds; through the prophetic inspirations of Elizabeth, Zechariah,
Simeon and Anna to many around them; and through an angel in a dream to
Joseph;" through these various persons and means God repeatedly reveals
the coming of His Son.

Resonant within these announcements of Jesus birth is God's love for
humanity. Echoing loudly in these blessed disclosures is the deliverance of fallen humanity and the working out of all the promises God has made.
To import a Pauline phrase -the time had fully come. No wonder our
Heavenly Father is exuberant -His Son, long promised and uniquely suited to be
our Savior is at last to join our world and accomplish the plan and purpose
of God. This Christmas, and as we allow the birth of Christ to penetrate
our thoughts once more, let us not only marvel over the miraculous but live
in the light of the message which these accounts emphasize: He is come and
He will save!

* * * * *

As we at Canadian L'Abri look forward to celebrating Christ's coming
with our families and friends, we are also looking beyond the close of this
year into 2006. Although it pales in comparison with the great announcement
of the remarkable entry of Jesus into our world, yet Canadian L'Abri has
an announcement of its own: work is beginning on a new family home for the
Curry's. The basic design has been drawn up. The building site has been
chosen. Clearing of the block is scheduled to begin this weekend.

Of this new venture Doug Curry writes:

"After investigating the feasibility of a major renovation of the cabin
we have decided that it would be a better investment to build a new home
rather than trying to patch up this old one. While we are prepared to ride out
the winter in our cabin/yurt combo, for the long term good of both our
family and the work of L'Abri a lasting solution needs to be found. So our
plan is to build a modest family home that would fit our family and would allow
us to have students over for meals. The plans for a large second home on
the property are being put on the back burner as we focus on what we
believe will be a more manageable project. Pray for the design process, for the
finances and for the building permits. While the Canadian Board has
agreed in principle that the needs are sufficiently urgent to justify taking
out a mortgage on the property to pay for this home, our prayer is that the
money will be donated rather than borrowed."

At present it looks like we will have to mortgage the property. Snowfalls throughout the early part of last week and unseasonably low temperatures continuing into this week appear to be signs of a substantial winter to come. This means that things must go forward. As the lead couple and as a family of six, the Curry's do need a suitable dwelling. Despite this month's shortfall and the challenges associated with monthly mortgage payments, we are buoyed by God's recent faithfulness to Korean L'Abri, and we remain hopeful and prayerful about our own financial needs as this work continues to develop. Still, we covet your prayers. Please do pray with us and for the Curry's as they look toward construction and all that building a new home entails.

* * * * *

With so many of you committed to praying for us and with a good deal to pray
about at the present time, let me take a moment to direct you in how you might pray for the work of Canadian L'Abri:

First, do join us in giving thanks to God for...

* the coming of His Son into our midst. With angels, shepherds, wise
men and the redeemed of all ages, let us give thanks and praise to God.

* the autumn term which we completed just a couple of weeks ago. We remain thankful for a wonderful helper (thank you Lynn!); and for a small but wonderful group of students (Benita, Kathleen, Julie, Lenore, Jessica, Shawn).

* the truly remarkable gifts that have enabled us to pay our property
taxes, get Doug to the Trustees meeting in England, and cover the costs of our recent autumn term.

* the successful special focus weekend this past November with Polly Long from Regent College. We give thanks to God for her gifts and for the individuals that traveled to stay with us for the weekend.

* and for the other ways in which Canadian L'Abri is being used, such as the Sunday evening lectures held in conjunction with Cates Hill Chapel, the encouragement of individuals through informal tutoring, the borrowing of
books and lectures on tape that become the basis for discussion and catalyst for renewed thinking and living, etc.

Second, please join us in praying for...

* the building of the Curry's home. We are asking God for finances to cover this expense, for safety throughout the construction process, and for this additional facility to be used for His glory.

* the day to day operation of L'Abri. We are asking God for sufficient income to cover utilities, food, maintenance, staff stipends, etc; and for His guidance and leading in our lives and in every aspect of the work as it continues to take shape.

* the coming year, particularly our open times. As we look to God to establish this work, so we are already praying about our scheduled term dates, about those who might join us as students, and about any further opportunities that God might open up for us to teach and to relate God's truth to the questions and issues of our day.

* the health and well-being of both worker families. Specifically, do pray for Maggie Curry who is on a leave of absence from now through until the end of March. Pray too for Doug who will be supervising and participating in the building of their home as well as directing the overall work of L'Abri in Canada. Pray also for Gordon, Beth, Susanne and Catherine Curry. And with regard to the Ryan's, pray for Terri Ryan as she enters the third-trimester of her second pregnancy and for Mark, Terri (and Michelle) as they work alongside the Curry's, run the main house and host students and others.

* * * *

Finally, as I write to you this December and thank you for your gifts, for
your prayers, and for your ongoing interest in the work of L'Abri, let me
remind you of the exuberance of God-of His unrestrained joy over the person
and work of His Son and of His joy over you. May this Christmas remind you
afresh of the Father's love and may it refresh you as you continue your walk
with Him. Once again, thank you for your support this year.

Sincerely,

Mark Ryan.