For unto us a child is born

On this Christmas Day I am filled with overwhelming joy thinking about God’s faithfulness.  Yesterday we had a Christmas Eve party and had the kids build a fire for roasted marshmallows.  They scurried down the rocks with their friends and went romping though the bushes to collect twigs.  As I looked out at them I thought about how it is just a month shy of 2 years ago that we camped in that same spot. We had felt the Lord leading us to invest more in this village community & Extending Hope’s projects here.  When we came, we knew less than a handful of people.  Kids from around the village came up and flocked around our kids-it was overwhelming, we asked them to leave, but they wouldn’t. We were foreigners in this village. The children still flock around our kids, but they are no longer strangers; some acquaintances, but many friends.  The unfamiliar faces we met on our walks are now familiar as we exchange greetings.

The weather has been perfect this week; lots of cool breezes, a little sun and afternoon showers.  After a morning of opening presents, the kids busied themselves with their toys and went down to the farm with Uncle David.  I looked out and saw a line of children giggling as they walked home with buckets on their heads after pumping water from the community borehole that all of you helped us build.  Again, I felt overwhelmed with joy as I looked out upon the fields and watched farmers tending to their fields, heard the sounds of the cattle and chatter of people nestled below the hill.  Many times we think of prayer as kneeling on bending knees, begging God to answer our prayers, but prayer can also be taking a leap of faith, walking in the unknown, building a house on a hill and expecting the Lord to open doors for you.

As we have read through various readings for advent, we have focused on the birth of Jesus, our Savior.  When we are surrounded by communities that have no lack, the meaning of Christmas can get lost.  For us out in the village, the impact of greed and sin is evident, and that is why we are in need of a savior; to save the world from the depths and consequences of sin.  So often the consequences of sin impact more than just the person who committed the sin. It affects villages, regions and nations.

Many of the houses that we can see from our house on the hill belong to families who are now beneficiaries in Family Hope International’s family empowerment program. They will soon be receiving training for businesses.  They are feeling the love and provision from their Savior.

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Governments will fail us, but our Heavenly Father never forgets the poor. We are so privileged to be his hands and feet in this village community, to partner alongside such incredible men and women who serve the Lord.

Merry Christmas.