New Year and Christmas Packets

The new year will obviously bring changes to my life as it will to most people, and as others surely are, I'm looking forward to it, but am also a little apprehensive. God's brought me a long way but I begin this year not knowing a lot about what God will have me doing and where I'll be doing it at this time next year. Hence the apprehensive feeling. I've recently had a conversation with a friend where I somehow had this philosophical thought that we need to be passionate about where God has us now, and I know I plan on doing that. Hopefully I will only minimally be distracted by what will be and be able to thrive in what is.

On another note, the kids in Shutka are eagerly anticipating their yearly Christmas packets that people have taken the time and love to put together and send to them from places all over the world. Many times they come from the states, other times they'll come from some other place in Europe like Germany or Holland. Nonetheless, they bless the kids in many ways each year. If any of you have ever participated as a church or VBS or children's camp in something called Operation Christmas Child, know that it really does make a difference in kid's lives. I've had the privilege of seeing both sides of this project. I've seen kids and adults take special care, love, pride, and joy in packing the shoe boxes and I've seen the reception the shoe boxes. I've seen the kids enjoying it's contents for months after they've received them. Wearing the winter caps or gloves, or enjoying a special stuffed animal. They're always joyful. Many of the kids I see wouldn't know what a Christmas gift is without it as they come from Muslim families, not to mention they're often very poor.

Thanks to everyone who gives to this specific ministry. You're really being a blessing and this ministry touches thousands of children and parents around the world every year.

Please keep us in prayer as we give the gifts out. I'm not sure yet when we will but we always see people crawl out of the woodworks looking for a handout when we do give them out. Pray that we will be able to give them to those that need them most and have discernment with those that only come this one time a year for their quick handouts. Pray that those that receive the packets are truly blessed and will be moved by the love of Christ, and that they'll come back to see and hear about the love of Christ. Pray that even one or two might make that commitment to Christ and begin to make an impact in their communities to start the change we so long to see in that community.

Again, thanks for giving to our ministry and blessing the kids.
To learn more about Samaritan's Purse and their Operation Christmas Child program, check out the following link: Operation Christmas Child. I'm glad there's people striving to do ministries like this.