Wednesday, November 1, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "Christmas is Coming"


"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."


WAW Photo
WAW Wednesday: "Christmas is Coming"

Friends,

When my sons were little, I remember spending a lot of time selecting the perfect gifts for them. To be honest, I over-indulged them. I made sure they had an equal number of presents; I spent a lot of time worrying over each gifts' size and expense ... even counting how many little things were in each of their stockings. I made it all about the joy I felt watching their faces as they opened their gifts on Christmas morning. Am I the only one?

Then one year that changed. The boys and I had taken a few mission trips together to build homes for families in Juarez, Mexico. I'll never forget hearing my youngest say, "Mommy, going to Juarez is better than Christmas presents!" Gifts are his love language. I was stunned. I was convicted.

After that, we started doing ONE present for each of them; to represent the gift that was given to us through Christ. What a difference that made in how we celebrated Christmas!! The boys never fussed about this change, much to my surprise.

For children in Belize, gifts are not the focus of the Christmas celebration--Jesus is! There's joy in receiving an apple and banana; in the simplicity of feasting on turkey and stuffing and acting out the account of Jesus's birth ... for many, if a gift is received, it's through the local church. Families celebrate together with food, games, and JOY. That's what our Christmas Project helps make happen -- a true celebration of the greatest gift of all!




Gifts are making their way to Belize (or have already arrived) because of generous donors in the U.S. like you Thank you! These presents will be sorted and shared with our partners by our Christmas Project Team--helping each child understand how special they are to Jesus.

Our need now is funding to help make those joyful parties happen for our partners ... to purchase phone cards for inmates at Belize Central Prison so that they can hear their loved ones voices on Christmas Day ... to help provide meals for Belize Hospice & Palliative Care patients as they celebrate our Savior's birth ...

Would you help us make Christmas special by making a financial gift? Maybe you'll consider, like we did all those years ago, that too many presents distract from the true meaning of Christmas -- but making a gift in honor of a loved one to The Word at Work's Christmas Project would bring joy to our friends in Belize. We'll send a lovely card to whomever you'd like announcing your gift. Thank you for helping us spread Christmas Joy in Belize!

Please join us in making Christmas 2017 bright, beautiful, and joyful ... Thank you SO much!



We are very excited about celebrating 15 years of ministry to God's glory! I'm guessing some of you have photos and stories you might share with us--please send them along to me! Or feel free to share them on our Facebook page @TWAWMinistry


Does anyone recognize these faces?

Blessings,

Mollie
#wearethewordatwork




EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!


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