Finishing 2021 with Christmas
Welcome to the end of 2021. Although Jesus was likely not born on December 25, we find it a great celebration to end the year. What other time of the year can a person go into a store or turn on almost any radio station and hear the birth of our Lord and Savior proclaimed! Giving increases this time of year. Homes are made more festive with brilliant light displays, Manger scenes can be seen in many yards. It is also a time of year when many families get together.
We had the privilege of getting together with family members over the course of two days. We played Uno, enjoyed good conversations, and partook of some delicious foods. Everyone seemed to get along and have a good time!
Reservoir update
December saw some much needed rain in our area. As you can see, the reservoirs are gaining more water with each storm that visits our area. Thank you Jesus for the much needed rain!
What have we been up to?
FOOD DISTRIBUTION - One of our supporting churches hosts a food distribution for those in need. This food distribution is in conjunction with a local nonprofit organization. People in need of some extra help to fill their cupboards and refrigerators drove their vehicles through our make-shift distribution center in the church parking lot. When a car pulled up, volunteers would load it with the items we had on hand that day.
While working with a non-Christian organization can provide it's challenges in the sharing of the Gospel, we have learned that relationships have been built by church members with some of the regular food recipients. This has led to open doors to minister to people through prayer and other means. We also heard testimony of a salvation that was quite amazing!
SURVIVAL PACKS for the HOMELESS - An organization that we have worked with before continued their tradition of putting together survival packs for the homeless. We loaded plastic bags with ponchos, knit hats and gloves, masks (for covid), and socks. We completed 350-400 packs during our time there. Usually the supplies are loaded into backpacks, but supposedly they are stuck in one of the shipping ports or still on a ship. When/if the backpacks arrive, we may volunteer again to help fill them.
What is God saying?
There is a lot that we could talk about here, but we will focus on one. God has been working on us to embrace the season that we are in. Elisha was plowing his fields with twelve yokes of oxen when Elijah arrived on the scene and threw his mantle over him (1KIngs 19:19). Elisha did not pursue Elijah or seek out the calling to be a prophet. He was busy with what was before him and the calling found him.
That is what we feel God is saying to us right now. For us, that means continuing to assist our families where needed and to embrace the time we have to be alone with God. This is the time that God has allotted to help prepare us for the next season. If we are faithful to embrace this, we won't need to chase our calling, our calling will find us.
Prayer points
- God to continue to expose the hidden works of darkness at work in the U.S. and other countries in the world
- God to prepare the church for its role in the upcoming great awakening
- God to prepare the harvest field of the nations for His Gospel to be proclaimed
- Todd and Jen to fully embrace the season they are in and allow God to prepare them for His future assignment
- Whatever Holy Spirit lays on your heart
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