5 January 2001 Dear Friends, Lawrence and I have just returned from our summer vacation. We spent some time in the Drakensberg Mountains of Natal - a favorite holiday site for many years. We put sleeping bags, tent and food into our old red backpacks and spent 4 days hiking - experiencing the feeling of how small we are compared to the mountains. We delighted in the grandeur and beauty of the mighty mountains - and the delicate beauty of tiny wildflowers and colorful insects. We filled our lungs with wonderful fresh air and rejoiced that there is still somewhere on earth where it is safe to drink from spring fed mountain streams. We spent Christmas in Pietermaritzburg with Marian and Steve de Gruchy and children, Thea (9), David (6) and Kate (3). Steve had been director of Moffat Mission until last July and we had so enjoyed being colleagues and neighbours that sharing Christmas and New Year's celebrations with them in their new home gave us all great pleasure. Now 2001 has begun. Lawrence has been acting director of Moffat Mission since Steve's departure last June - in addition to his theological training work. It's been a heavy work load. Happily, a new director has been appointed and will be coming to to Moffat Mission at the end of January. Lawrence and I have begun to think ahead to 30 June 2001 which marks the end of our current 3 year assignment and possibly the end of our missionary career. We are enjoying reading Christmas and New Year greetings and personal news from friends near and far. We look forward to seeing many of you before the year ends. I would like to close with the prayer Lawrence wrote just before we left Mozambique as it fits the beginning of a new year and our current situation.         Thank you, God, that endings are also beginnings.         Let every ending be grace filled.         Let every beginning be filled with hope and vision. Love, Carol Return to index page