Since the last time we were able to worship with you all in the spring, our family of three has moved back to the field to begin our overseas work once again. These days, we find ourselves busy with meetings with nationals, setting up our new home here, and keeping up with an active almost-one-year-old!
It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day here, just like anywhere else, but we’re thankful for this time of year as the advent season always helps us pause and refocus on the hope we have in our Emmanuel.
On a recent day trip to a more remote area of our state, I (Lauren) was able to visit three different homes of unbelievers and share this hope alongside a few teammates. In one of the homes that we shared in, one of my teammates asked the family, “Who here has heard about Jesus Christ before?”
No one answered. So she tried another approach to get them talking.
“What all have you heard about Jesus Christ?”
At this, one of the family members replied, “Kuch nahi didi, humne kuch nahi Yeshuke barre me suna.”
Translation: “Nothing, sister. We have heard nothing about Jesus.”
In a place with such lostness, his words should not have come as much of a surprise to me, but they struck me in a new way that particular day.
I had spent the few days before that trip decorating our small Christmas tree and hanging our advent calendar in anticipation of the start of December, and here was someone who had never heard one. single. thing. about the Savior that I grew up hearing about in my home as a child and there with you all every week at Eastmont.
That day, I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the Spirit’s work in my life and His graciousness to call me to Himself so many years ago. I was humbled at the opportunity to be used by the Father as a part of His global mission. And I was reminded that there is much, much work to be done.
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a direct, tangible way for you to be involved in this work, as it funds over 3600 workers like us around the world, working to see the promise of Revelation 7:9-10 realized. This Christmas, I ask you to prayerfully consider how you might give to the LMCO to see this “good news of great joy” reach all peoples. With your gift, we can work together to see Jesus Christ’s name heard across the world.
We are grateful for Eastmont’s partnership in taking the gospel to the furthermost corners of South Asia, and we wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May Christ’s hope fill you this advent season.
Love,
Jamie, Lauren, & Maddox