Friday, November 27, 2009

Letter

Earlier today I received a message from a Christian organization listing all the stores that do not wish to say MERRY CHRISTMAS or use the word CHRISTMAS in their promotions... and I was getting very upset and ready to complain to those stores... THEN... I received this message... which reminded me of the real SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS... This is a beautiful letter about Christmas and whoever wrote it is absolutely right! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas -- 
 


It has come to my attention that many of you are upset because some folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

However, I do appreciate being remembered anytime. 
 


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth,just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.

Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up.

It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here.

Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile;

it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence.

Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love

and remember ...

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

Friday, November 6, 2009

“.....for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)


“.....for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Dear Family and Friends,
We are thankful and blessed of God to be back in Rwanda at our Rafiki village. Our hearts are filled with joy to see our children, our ROS teammates, and our village national workers. And WOW, the new Dining Hall is nearly finished!
Bev is teaching our three year old Pre-K Class. We continue to be amazed with their increase in learning and use of English. Just recently they have begun to respond to a question in class using a complete sentence. Bev points and asks Olivier “What is this?” He responds, “That is a red triangle.” Correct use of articles and adjectives in English is wonderful progress....not to mention a correct answer........she is estatic!
Ken is catching up with the paperwork and construction projects. He continues to enjoy leading the nationals Bible study each morning.




We arrived in Rwanda on a Thursday and had duty that weekend. The children welcomed us back with a program on Sunday afternoon. What joy filled our hearts to hear these precious children singing hymns and reciting God’s Word.
One week after we returned school break began. We held GAMES (Games, Art, Music, Enrichment and Sports). This included walking to Mama Ronald’s shop to buy a “sweetie” (small candy), marching in our parade, a water race and sidewalk chalk body tracing.
And last, but not least, was shaving cream art!

We have heard God’s call to serve for the next two years in Rwanda with the Rafiki Foundation and we ask for your prayers as we are short of our needed support. We are now at 40% of our total for two years. If God has touched your heart with a burden for these Rwandan orphans and you would like to help keep us on the field in Rwanda, please contact the Rafiki Home Office with your pledge. Our ROS # 176 has to be on the paperwork in order for pledges to be appropriately credited to our account. Thank you for your encouragement as we serve here in Rwanda.
http://www.rafiki-foundation.org/ros/merrill/merrill.html
May the joy of the LORD be your strength.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Joyfully in Christ,
Ken & Bev