Salem Katrina Team Report for December 24

Merry Christmas, all. Our smaller Salem team, consisting of Joan and Wes Carter (me) plus our youngest son Ben, wish you the very warmest greetings. We are so grateful for the support of old Salem First Pres on this mission, and we certainly long to return to Oregon after so many weeks. I think we will turn West to begin the journey home around the 10th to the 15th of January.

Tonight we celebrated Christmas Eve with Joan's dear friend Clara Webster, and we were invited to Saint John's Presbyterian Church here in Jacksonville for services at seven. We met John, Pamela's husband and all the members of their team at the services.

To our three older children in California and North Carolina, God Bless you every day of your lives. You have brought us such happiness, and we have learned so much from each of you, especially Audrey who was the first of the family to do Habitat work, and we follow in her boot steps.

To all the soldiers, sailors and airmen defending our country, thank you for your sacrifice and we pray for your safety and for your families.

Merry Christmas to all those who have felt the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. We are amazed at your courage, your strength and your faith. Thank you for letting our church join you these months. God Bless.