November Newsletter, 2024
Not long ago I taught a foundations class at a local church. I used the three principles of; love, acceptance and forgiveness. If you are a regular reader of these newsletters, you are not unfamiliar with these because they form the basis of everything we do in this ministry. All of them are action words. Each requires us to do something. Or, as my wife would say, “If you really love me, please, take out the garbage!” And, to coin a phrase, “Talk is cheap.” It was James who said, simply, “Faith without works is dead.” (2:26)
I must admit, these principles motivate me to do this ministry. When I service the truck, fuel the truck, load the truck, drive the truck and deliver the truck to a Native American reservation it is fulfilling; and particularly at Christmas, when the contents of the load are toys, gifts and supplies. Dale Evans, said, “Christmas, my child, is love in action!” Now, that’s profound when you think, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16) Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift to mankind, Jesus. God didn’t just talk about how much He loved us, He did something, and He took action and gave us His Son as the Savior of the world. Yes, love in action!
With that in mind, our plans are set to receive toys and gifts and deliver them to the children and families at the Quinault Indian Nation, north of Aberdeen on the Pacific Coast. The nation includes descendants of the Quinault, Queets, Hoh, Quileute, Chehalis, Chinook and Cowlitz tribes. Additionally we will deliver Christmas goods and toys to the Celilo Indian Village, on the Columbia River in northeastern Wasco County. Most residents of Celilo are members of either the Yakama Nation or Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Some are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, or the Nez Perce tribe.
What a joy to be a part of love in action!
Additionally…let me say a huge THANK YOU! Your faithful and generous financial gifts enable us to do this ministry. And, your prayers are cherished. Thank you again and God bless you abundantly for partnering with us. Recently, we have received responses from across the country and even internationally. One man wrote from Uganda, Africa, saying, “Thank you for the great message. We love you here in Uganda, especially at our home.” Another said, “Thank you for your teaching.”
All of this is the result of technology and what the Lord said to me, two years ago; “…you shall be witnesses to me…to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
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