It was a long day, but well worth the effort. We met at our house for coffee and sweat bread and loaded up a coach bus to take the hour and a half ride out of the city to the camp. There were 20 of us that went from our group (unfortunately two families had to cancel—one due to a sickness and another due to legal problems). There were hay rides behind the tractor, numerous Christmas crafts, adventure and team sports, archery, great food, family pictures, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, special activities for the kids all rolled up into one day.
We ended the day with a special time in the Word of God. We had a great discussion about Christmas and its meaning.
Can you believe that nobody in our group knew what Christmas was all about?
They shrugged their shoulders and shared what they thought Christmas with comments like:
“It is a good way to wind down the year.”
“It is a time to get together with family and tell them that we’re thankful for them and give them gifts.”
“A time to use any extra money we have to buy things.”
WOW! There wasn’t even an, “Oh, that’s what I meant.” or “I’ve heard of that before.”, just wide eyes taking it all in when I started sharing from Luke 2, about the Savior’s birth and how significant that event is for all of us. We also reflected on how Jesus is our Emmanuel, our God with us. This event took place on December 5th so we were still early in the time of Advent. I shared how this time is meant for us to reflect and anticipate the coming King. He came as a baby and shared His life and death with us, but I also challenged each person to prepare for the second coming of the King in all of His glory. What a wonderful thing to wait expectantly and prepare for! What a great day to get the opportunity to build relationships deeper and wider and allow each one learn of the coming King. Thank you for your prayers.
Can you believe that nobody in our group knew what Christmas was all about?
They shrugged their shoulders and shared what they thought Christmas with comments like:
“It is a good way to wind down the year.”
“It is a time to get together with family and tell them that we’re thankful for them and give them gifts.”
“A time to use any extra money we have to buy things.”
WOW! There wasn’t even an, “Oh, that’s what I meant.” or “I’ve heard of that before.”, just wide eyes taking it all in when I started sharing from Luke 2, about the Savior’s birth and how significant that event is for all of us. We also reflected on how Jesus is our Emmanuel, our God with us. This event took place on December 5th so we were still early in the time of Advent. I shared how this time is meant for us to reflect and anticipate the coming King. He came as a baby and shared His life and death with us, but I also challenged each person to prepare for the second coming of the King in all of His glory. What a wonderful thing to wait expectantly and prepare for! What a great day to get the opportunity to build relationships deeper and wider and allow each one learn of the coming King. Thank you for your prayers.
As a result of prayer and this event we now have two of our youth (Italia and Juan Carlos) connected to the World Impact youth group which will allow the youth more opportunities-apart from our times with them-to grow in their forming faith as we plant and grow the church. At our regular Wednesday morning Bible study time with Primo, Bere and their family one of Primo’s sisters, Blanca, gave her life to the Lord! She was very hungry and responded with deep emotion and gratitude not based out of a sole intellectual understanding, but out of her heart and a longing for forgiveness and to know her Maker.
Adelso & Faustina (Tina) – Remember the couples that surprised us by coming to Rebecca’s birthday party after meeting them on the sidewalk the day before? We had them over for tea and coffee last Wednesday night and had a wonderful two hour discussion about God and having a living, active faith. Both of them are excited about continuing to meet with us and study the Word and pray. We feel like they are getting close to accepting the Lord and giving their life to Him, but know it is a spiritual battle with a lot of unknown factors and ask that you would pray for them and for us as we continue to reach out to them and other neighbors like them.
Upcoming Events & Prayer Needs:
Adelso & Faustina (Tina) – Remember the couples that surprised us by coming to Rebecca’s birthday party after meeting them on the sidewalk the day before? We had them over for tea and coffee last Wednesday night and had a wonderful two hour discussion about God and having a living, active faith. Both of them are excited about continuing to meet with us and study the Word and pray. We feel like they are getting close to accepting the Lord and giving their life to Him, but know it is a spiritual battle with a lot of unknown factors and ask that you would pray for them and for us as we continue to reach out to them and other neighbors like them.
Upcoming Events & Prayer Needs:
December 30
Focus: What are the real and felt needs of our community and how can we partner with God to be a part of the solution?
December 31
– Carnival Outreach at South Park (carnival games, bounce house, drama and music with gospel presentation).
Focus: Families of South Park community
Focus: Families of South Park community
January 1
– “Whatcha Gonna Do?” Gospel Outreach (free hot meal, clothing, care packages, rehab referrals, prayer tent and gospel presentation).
Focus: Homeless, Day Labors, Drug & Alcohol Addicts, Prostitutes of South Park and surroundings.
Focus: Homeless, Day Labors, Drug & Alcohol Addicts, Prostitutes of South Park and surroundings.
January 11-13
– Strategic Planning Time/Retreat with our team to prepare for launching the church in South Park – Los Angeles.
Focus: Laying out the vision, plans, strategies, and tasks for the coming year and beyond.
We pray you have a fantastic Christmas celebration with family and friends remembering the greatest gift any of us have ever received—Christ.
Thank you for celebrating Christmas with us through your prayers, encouraging emails and cards, and financial support.
We send our love!
Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca and Justice Wolyn
Focus: Laying out the vision, plans, strategies, and tasks for the coming year and beyond.
We pray you have a fantastic Christmas celebration with family and friends remembering the greatest gift any of us have ever received—Christ.
Thank you for celebrating Christmas with us through your prayers, encouraging emails and cards, and financial support.
We send our love!
Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca and Justice Wolyn
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