1. FAN THE FLAME MARRIAGE CONFERENCE
Less than two days until Fan the Flame Marriage Conference, January 27-29. Whether you've celebrated 30 years together or are struggling to make it to your next anniversary, the second annual H.I.M. Marriage Conference offers something for all married couples. You won't want to miss hearing Gary Gaddini, this year's speaker, or worshiping with the dbNetwork Band, or taking in the lovely town of Newport. To register now, or for more information, visit the Marriage Conference webpage.

2. DATE NIGHT UPDATE
Despite our efforts, due to circumstances beyond our control, we must regretfully cancel this February's scheduled Date Nights. Please note that Grace Chapel (Lexington) is offering a Date Night on February 11 (781-862-6499); also, Paul and Virginia will be speaking at a Couples' Night Out sponsored by Andover Free Christian Church (Andover) on February 12 (978-475-0700).

3. TRUE LOVE WAITS—FAMILY EDITION
As effective as the "True Love Waits" movement has been for individuals, without family support the staying power of the commitment to sexual purity is greatly reduced. With this in mind, "True Love Waits--Family Edition" will be held at Grace Community Church in Chelmsford on Saturday, March 25, 2006. The day is designed to help parents and teens work together to accomplish the shared goal of sexual purity. Resource couples include Paul and Virginia Friesen, Grant and Emily Williams, Brian and Heather Dietz, and Kate Wylie. To register now, or for more information, visit the True Love Waits webpage.

If you'd like us to mail you a stack of brochures to distribute to friends or to your church youth group, please contact Janet Hathaway at 978-689-3161 or eMail her at Janet@HIMweb.org.

4. FAMILY FOCUS NIGHT - February 7
Family Focus Nights are evenings with an emphasis on strengthening marriages and families. The next one will be held on Tuesday evening, February 7, at 7 pm, at South Shore Christian Academy. Paul and Virginia's teaching is informative and fun, and is followed with great discussion. There is no charge. Plan now to attend with friends. Your RSVP would be helpful but is not required: just call 781-275-6473 or email Paul@HIMweb.org - thanks!

The topic on February 7 will be a continuation of “Parenting by Design, Not by Default.” We would never build a house without a design, hammering and sawing away while saying, “Let’s wait and see how it turns out!” Parenting calls for a design as well. We carefully consider our children’s education, their athletic involvements, or their musical pursuits—yet often we are not so clear on the design for their moral and faith journeys. This seminar will help us design the path that will encourage our children to choose to honor God.

• Help develop Passions in your child.
• Project Positively.
• Prioritize your marriage.
• Play, Play, Play: Jesus came to give us “abundant life!”
• Pray, Pray, Pray.

5. "END OF THE SPEAR"
A film with a message Fifty years ago this month, five missionaries dared to make contact with the most savage tribe in history. They were the first to have friendly contact with a notoriously violent group of indigenous people. Their excitement quickly turned to fear when the tribe attacked them with spears and all five were killed. Soon after the spearing, the wife of one of the slain men and the sister of another went to live with the tribe who killed their loved ones. This story was made famous by "Life" magazine and the book "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Eliot.

Many people are familiar with the story of these missionaries, but no one has heard the rest of the story, from the perspective of the tribe, until now. Bearing Fruit Communications has produced two films: a documentary--"Beyond the Gates of Splendor" (2004), and a full-length feature film--"End of the Spear" (2006). "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" won the Audience Choice Award at 2004 Palm Beach International Film Festival, as well as the Crystal Heart Award at the 2002 Heartland Film Festival which awards film excellence for "truly moving pictures" of independently produced feature length and short films. It is now available on DVD and includes interviews with the wives of the five missionaries as well as with members of the Waodani tribe. "End of the Spear" (PG-13) opened in theaters this past weekend and we encourage you to see it. Please carefully consider which of your children can handle the violence before taking them, and make time for a family discussion afterwards.

If you’re interested in learning more, Christianity Today online has run a number of informative articles on the making of these movies. We recommend you start your reading with this wonderful interview with Steve Saint: www.christianitytoday.com/movies/interviews/stevesaint.html

5. PAUL AND VIRGINIA, STUDENTS AT LARGE
As this first issue of the H.I.M. Family Flyer goes to press, Paul and Virginia are at the Charlotte, North Carolina, campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for the final two-week residency of their Doctor of Ministry program. Amidst their amazing schedule of traveling and speaking, they have been studying and reading and writing--just like normal students do. Now in the final stages of their thesis writing, we ask you to cover them in prayer, as well as the entire ministry of H.I.M..

And may He bless you and your family as well.

Comments, suggestions or letters can be sent to:
Barbara Steele, Editor
email: barbara@HIMweb.org

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