The Compassionate Edge DECEMBER 2020

 Hello Friends

This year, international travel stalled for everyone amid COVID restrictions and the need to love our neighbors as ourselves. However, 2021 looks promising for Stuart and the whole CompassionLink team as preliminary plans with missionaries and leaders in Costa Rica and other places begin to take shape.

Wendy will continue to train and connect with new missionaries and missionary associates joining International Ministries. Zoom has been a blessing for all of us hindered by travel restrictions, but we look forward to the day when we can meet face to face. 

At International Ministries our AGWM competency focus for January is Spiritual Formation.

Having lived most of the past 15 years elsewhere, I didn't anticipate being separated from family this Christmas. Yet, here we are. In a fit of nostalgia, I dug up photos of Christmases long, long ago.

Christmas in Jamaica in 2006 ... and 2007. Stateside for itineration in 2008. Residing in Costa Rica in 2009, but spent Christmas in Orlando for LAC retreat. Christmas in Mexico City in 2010. New country, new member of the family. Advent Prayer Every year on the first Sunday of Advent, I recall our family bringing home the Advent wreath from church. The tin foil pie plate wrapped in greenery with a square of Styrofoam at the bottom to hold the five candles might sound tacky now, but my childhood self only remembers awe and wonder. Our wreath came with the appropriate candles (3 purple, 1 pink, and 1 white) and the prayers to say each night as we waited for the darkness of the season to dissipate and the Christmas light to shine. "Advent begins in the dark," says Fleming Rutledge. Yet with the hint of the light to come we will light one candle each night for a week. Then two. Then three. Then four. On Christmas morning, we'll light the final, center candle - the Christ candle - and pray, O heavenly Father, we bless and thank you for your love in giving us a Savior, Jesus Christ, the light and hope of the world. Amen.

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~ Stuart & Wendy GLOBALLY ASSIGNED / GLOBALLY ENGAGED SERVING THE WORLD

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We, at CompassionLink, are a team of experienced, educated, and equipped missionary personnel who partner with missionaries, community leaders, and ministers across the globe. In a nutshell, we serve those who serve; we equip those who equip; we train those who train. Your partnership helps us to strengthen relationships between missionary and minister, minister and community leader, and community leader and community. In other words, your support allows us to foster the proclamation and the demonstration of the gospel in tangible ways.