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A Missionary Christmas
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Several years ago, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Thomasville NC, wrote me an email telling me that they wanted to do something for the Bible College students for Christmas. They just wanted to be a blessing so they sent a good sum of money to us to make our Christmas brighter.
I was so excited to hear about their giving that I could not wait until I could tell the students. Finally, Monday night classes were finished, so I called all of our students together. I explained to them where the money was coming from so we offered Thanksgiving unto the Lord for His blessings from that church.
My next question to them was this, “how do you want to spend the money? This money is yours so what do you want to do with it?” I wanted them to tell me what they wanted for Christmas.
I work with these guys everyday and I know their needs. Many of our students have just enough food to get by each day. I know of some students who sacrifice their food allowance to pay fares to get out to bible studies so they can preach and teach the Gospel. I know that some the lady students have personal needs but still continue to sacrifice themselves in order to serve the Lord. Many of them have never owned a new dress. They shop the used clothing stores. I know that they have many needs.
They all looked at me with a smile, and one of our lady students who works with the children in the mission church in the north of the island spoke up and said, “Pastor, there is family that attends our church whose children have no clothes to wear. She said “Pastor, my heart is heavy because the little children come to church naked. Can we buy those children some clothes and slippers for their feet?”
Another one spoke up and said “Pastor, I know of a widow whose husband was killed last year that needs us. She works twelve hours a day and still cannot feed her six children. Pastor, the house they live in has only three walls and a piece of plastic for a roof. Can we help them for Christmas?”
Another one spoke up and said “Pastor, what about the two old women that come to our church? Someone told that they have no food. Can we help them with some rice?
By this time something was swelling up in my soul! Of all the needs that our Bible students have, not one asked for anything for themselves.
They all had a heart to give their blessings away. Is that not what Christmas about? Jesus came to give us the greatest gift of all, Himself.
After classes were dismissed, I had some of our students to go out with me to visit the widow and her six children. I wanted to see the house that needed repair so we could purchase materials the next morning.
We left our jeep beside the road and walked up a muddy trail into the forest to reach the house. It had gotten dark which made it almost impossible to walk without getting caught in the mud.
When we got close to the house, I could hear a child singing Christmas Carols. Her voice was ringing through the trees into the night’s silence. I could hear her from afar as she sang with all of her heart.
After arriving at the home, I noticed that they had one light bulb strung up between the broken house and a tree in the yard. The little girl was sitting in the tree and singing “O Holy Night” Her little voice was ringing one of the most precious melodies that I have ever heard.
By now tears had filled my eyes, so I stood still to hear her song. I thought to myself, here is a little child that knows how poor her mother is. She knows that there will be no presents, no Christmas tree, no special foods, or any kind of celebration, yet she still sings about a Holy Night, Holy, Divine, when Christ was born. “O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Saviours Birth.”
Glory to God! Christmas was beginning to get brighter in my own soul! We got up early the next morning, went out and bought lumber and supplies. Our men bible students all joined in and two days later that little girl had a new native home to live in.
Our lady students got together and went shopping for food and clothes. They wheeled and dealed throughout the day until they finished their mission.
On Christmas Eve, the students and myself went to the home of the widow. We prayed, had bible study, and sang “O Holy Night”. Our ladies handed out clothes and food to the six children. That dear mother stood and wept tears of joy through it all, and we had Christmas!
That evening, gifts were given to the poor, the naked, and hurting. Our students were blessed and Jesus was magnified!
God told Abraham, “and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”
We want to thank each and every supporter who give to this ministry. We want you to know that your blessing to us is a blessing to others!
Miss Debbie and myself hope that you have the Best Christmas ever! May God reward you a thousand fold for all that you do for others. Just remember that we love you and appreciate everyone of you. Merry Christmas!
BIBLE STUDENTS UNLOAD MATERIALS WHICH THEY PURCHASED TO BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE ELSE! |
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TWO DAYS OF HARD WORK AND THE WIDOW WOMAN HAD A NEW HOUSE TO LIVE IN! PRAISE THE LORD! |
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