The Merry Christmas Missive ~ December 2019

Hello friends,

It’s been such a wonderful year of new experiences, new challenges, and new family members!

Fall recap at CompassionLink:

In October, Stuart helped clean and fry about 150 fish for CompassionLink's 2nd annual fish fry to benefit their ministry. Local pastors, community members, and AG leaders toured the greenhouse, learned about the aquaponics system (where the fish were raised), and celebrated with the CompassionLink crew for another successful year of serving the worldwide church through partnering with missionaries, pastors, and community members.

At the invitation of the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Burkina Faso, CompassionLink visited (among other places) an Assemblies of God hospital and Christian school. The Christian school is available for those unable to afford their school otherwise. The leadership, therefore, needs sustainable solutions to pay their expenses which includes housing and feeding their students. This is what CompassionLink is all about. Partnering with Christian ministries like this to find sustainable solutions so they can minister long-term and effectively.

Stuart helped raise, clean, and fry 150 fish for CompassionLink's annual fish fry.

What a joy to connect with what God is doing in Burkina Faso.

Semester recap at Evangel University:
Wendy and World Changers missions club hosted one of their favorite events this semester: Secret Church. This year's experience focused on the church in Northern Asia. Guest missionary shared personal stories of life and ministry in China. Students listened intently, asked poignant questions, and prayed fervently for our guest and for our sisters and brothers around the globe.

Our end of year gathering included more lighthearted festivities. Students created gingerbread house churches, decorated ugly Christmas sweater cookies, and feasted on hot chocolate and goodies.

Next semester we bring the world to campus for Global Impact week. US and world missionaries will join us for five purpose-filled days of raising awareness and helping students find their place in God's global mission.

Evangel University's World Changers missions club hosted Secret Church: Northern Asia Experience

End of year festivities included decorating ugly Christmas sweater cookies.

Giving thanks: 
Stuart and I are thankful for our families.
Overjoyed to celebrate Olivia's recent wedding.
Grateful to welcome Brandon into our family.
Greatly satisfied to serve people in diverse and far-flung places.
Pleased with the future generation of missionaries being raised up at Evangel.
And last of all, but not least of all, appreciative of all our faithful supporters.

Both our son Wesley (bridesman) and Sophia (maid of honor) stood aside their sister Olivia at her wedding.

Stuart and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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'Twas the night before Christmas ~ Spanglish version

(photo credit)

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,

Not a creature was stirring – ¡Caramba! ¿Qué pasa?

Los niños were tucked away, safe in their camas,

Some in vestidos, some in pijamas.

The stockings were hung with mucho cuidado,

In hopes that San Nicolás would feel obligado.

To bring all children, both buenos and malos,

A nice bunch of dulces and other regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito,

That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.

I ran to the window and looked out afuera,

Who in the world do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero,

Came dashing along like a loco bombero.

And pulling his sleigh, instead of venados,

Were eight little burros bien decorados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre,

Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:

“Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,

ay Chato, ay Chopo, ay Maruco, y Nieto!”

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho,

He flew to the top of our very own techo!

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,

He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea.

Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,

With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala;

He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos,

For none of the niños had been muy malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,

He turned like a flash and was gone como el viento.

And I heard him exclaim, y ¡esto es verdad!

Merry Christmas to all, y ¡Feliz Navidad!


(adapted from various versions found on the internet)

God will come

Mexico City Missive ~ Winter Newsletter 2016

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35: 3-4

In a time of great trouble, Isaiah encourages Israel to wait for God. Be strong, he says. Do not fear. God will come. Intrigued by her plight, we get caught up in the story. We wait with Israel in her sorrow, anguish, and even in her embarrassment over her predicament. Israel trusted the wrong advisers, made a pact with the wrong leaders, and neglected her responsibility toward the marginalized. As the people of God confront their own fickleness, irresponsibility, and infidelity we wait with them as they wait for God. Hold steady, the prophet declares.

God will come.

With reckless abandon and confident prose, Isaiah prophesies of a time of redemption, hope, healing, and joy. It won't always be like this, Isaiah assures them. God will come. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the mute will shout for joy (35: 6). That's not all. In a climate fit solely for predators, waters and streams will burst forth producing a lush garden fit especially for God's people (35:7). Encourage one another in hopeful surrender.

God will come.

Is Israel ready for a new exodus? Are we? When God comes, Isaiah promises, he will provide a highway for the rescued (35: 8). A road uncluttered by the ravenous, the wicked, and the unsuited; a Way dedicated to the redeemed, the holy, and the humbled (35: 9). The sorrow and sighing that accompanied judgment will flee as gladness and joy overtake the people of God (35: 10). Are we ready for this new day? I am. Take heart, friends. Soon Advent longing will end and Christmas morn will dawn. On that day, we will awake, arise, breathe deep, and rejoice!

Behold, the Lord is come.

Stuart & Wendy

serving in mexico city

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An Advent Prayer

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

I love this season of anticipation and joy; of Christmas carols and kids pageants. I love connecting with friends and family who share warm wishes of good cheer as well as photos of their holiday gatherings on social media. Early in the season, silly issues tried to mar the holiday spirit (red coffee cups, anyone?). Yet recently, other more serious matters have since taken center stage. Extreme violence, racist posturing, and xenophobic chatter have dominated social media. Sadly, I finally understand the words by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Still, I can't help but remember Isaiah's prophetic message of peace has been pealing through the ages since he foretold of the coming Prince of Peace. At our Savior's birth, the heavenly host quieted the shepherds announcing peace to all the earth. On a mountainside so long ago, Jesus blessed the peacemakers calling them children of God. Even in the deafening cacophony of fear and hate, I can choose to join my voice with heaven's proclamation this holy season to share God's message of hope and peace.

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men

Saint Francis once prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Alone, my small voice and unassuming presence can't change the world or the great city of 25 million that Stuart and I live in. But I can change the atmosphere around me by carefully choosing my words and my actions to allow God's peace to be heard and known. Better still, why don't we all lift our voices together with the prophet Isaiah, the heavenly host, even Jesus himself this holy season and become God's instruments of peace by choosing to overcome hatred with love; despair with hope; and darkness with light.

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Merry Christmas 

Stuart & Wendy

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)

Printable PDF: Christmas.Winter 2015

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Do Not Be Afraid

Contrary to a popular Facebook meme, the Bible does not say 365 times, “do not be afraid.” Although, it certainly says it often enough we should take notice. Yet, as popular as that meme has been, ironically no one has shared it in the wake of last week's events. Instead, I've seen numerous articles and opinions shared by friends and colleagues alike encouraging just the opposite. It's as if they want everyone else to be as scared as they are.

I get it. Recent world events remind us all once again that insidious evil lurks among us. We want to protect our families. We want to trust our government is doing their best. We want to feel safe and secure, but we feel vulnerable instead. At a time like this I need to hear Jesus say, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14.27).

Yet, when suicide bombers target funerals (Baghdad), public markets (Beirut), and popular tourist attractions (Paris) it's difficult to immediately recall and meditate on the words of Jesus. Yet we must.

“Never again!” challenges the previous generation. And we promised, did we not, to never again turn our back on such evil and atrocity? We remember and honor those, like Corrie ten Boom and her family, who risked their lives to harbor the refugees of their day. Each and every one of those people had to consider the possibility that the enemy could infiltrate their homes when they opened their doors. They counted the cost (and many paid the price) and still they chose the way of Jesus. They chose love over fear. They chose courage over despair. And history remembers them as heroes.

How does history remember those who closed their doors and refused to help?

How will history remember us?

The fact that the world can be a scary, violent place should not take us by surprise. Jesus warned, “In this world you will have trouble.” But then he quickly adds, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As we enter the season of Advent, it seems especially appropriate to consider and meditate on the numerous times the Bible emphatically declares, “Do not be afraid,” throughout the Christmas story.

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13).

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God” (Luke 1.30).

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

As a baby, Jesus entered into a scary and violent world. As a toddler, his family sought refuge in a foreign land to escape the murderous Herod. I imagine fear constantly tried to seduce Mary throughout her son's life and ministry. Fear certainly had many opportunities to rear its ugly head and incapacitate her. Yet, we know Mary remained vigilant to the angel's message, “Do not be afraid,” for we see her standing courageously to the very end at the foot of Jesus' cross.

Make no mistake, fear is seductive. It feeds on insecurity and self-preservation. It limits our capacity to live freely and to love fully. But John tells us, “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4.18).

I agree with Jen Hatmaker, the last thing the world needs is “a bunch of scared, overwhelmed Christians wringing their hands and resorting to cliches. This world needs strong, convinced, courageous people who really believe God and are prepared to follow Him into every dark place.” (Read more here.)

I know we live in a scary, violent world, but I also know we can overcome fear and evil with radical love, generosity of spirit, Christ-inspired compassion, and with our heads held high and our mouths declaring God's truth to bring light and life to a dark and weary world.

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” 

(Luke 2:10, 11)

Feliz Navidad

May peace and joy 

reign in your hearts 

and homes this year 

and always.

-Stuart & Wendy

*Photo by Olivia Brown

Missionary Monday . . . snowed in

Currently, it is -12 F here in Fort Wayne with over a foot of snow on the ground.

So what to do when you are snowed in . . . 

Well, for one, you play a lot of dominoes :)

I baked a "hootenanny" pancake for Christmas morn. 

I have to admit, this Connecticut girl is a little embarrassed to write "hootenanny," but it was delicious regardless of its name!

Jack the abominable snow dog loves the cold and snow.

Stuart ended up putting him in the bath to melt the snowballs off.

Chocolate and tea for Christmas.

"Keep Calm" "Don't Panic" - are my kids trying to tell me something?

Chocolate fondue, sparkling cider, and poppers to ring in the New Year.

Our backyard this morning.

After which I spent 2 1/2 hours on hold with American Airlines to reschedule Olivia's cancelled flight.

So what to do when you are all snowed in?

Atticus has the right idea:

 "Keep calm and take a nap."

Feliz Día de los Tres Reyes!

Missionary Monday . . . We wait for him

For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him. Psalm 62.6

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Been doing that a lot this past month. Maybe I should say this past year. Now that I think about it, I've spent a lot of time waiting these last ten years.

In 2003, the Assemblies of God officially commissioned Stuart and I as missionaries. We traveled extensively and worked exhaustively as we waited (impatiently) for 18 months until we arrived in Jamaica on July 4, 2005.

Since then we have traveled to Costa Rica to work on learning Spanish to prepare for ministry in Mexico. Missionary colleagues promised us that magic moment when our brain would “click” and we would exclaim, “¡Aha, podemos entender español!”

Um, still waiting on that click.

God is no stranger to waiting, though. Thousands of years God waited, but when the right time came, he sent his Son, born of a woman ... (Galatians 4.4).

Through the season of Advent, our family lit candles as we waited to celebrate his birth.

We lit one Advent candle to remind us that the prophets foretold of his appearing (Isaiah 9.6). We lit two candles to remind us he was born a man in Bethlehem (Luke 2.4-7). We lit three candles to recognize that we like the shepherds must come to Christ, believe in him, and tell the good news to others (Luke 2.8-12). We lit four candles to anticipate Christ's second appearing and focus on his salvation (Luke 2.13-14).

Advent is the season of anticipation.
Of longing.
Of waiting.

But some things are worth the wait.

Merry Christmas,
Stuart & Wendy

Christmas newsletter

Missionary Monday or better late than never

Happy Missionary Monday Evening.

Too busy writing papers all day to post earlier.

#Priorities

Not that you aren't important, but you don't give me a grade.

Well, maybe you do, but that doesn't really count.

Although the weather outside was frightful . . . 

we enjoyed Leo High School's Yuletide Festival on Saturday. 

Sophia sang beautifully like always.

Stuart's mom, Romona, joined us for the dinner and concert.

Singing the Hallelujah chorus!

Sophia is the cutie in the third row up with the green headband.

And since we've no place to go  . . . 

we worshipped at our home church, Fort Wayne First Assembly on Sunday.

Noche de Paz

Silent Night, the Mexican/Canadian/Korean/New Zealander/American version :)




Noche de paz, noche de amor, 
Todo duerme en derredor. 
Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz 
Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús. 
Brilla la estrella de paz, 
Brilla la estrella de paz.

Noche de paz, noche de amor, 
Todo duerme en derredor. 
Sólo velan en la oscuridad 
Los pastores que en el campo están 
Y la estrella de Belén, 
Y la estrella de Belén.

A weary world rejoices . . .

I must admit, these last few months of 2012 have left me a bit weary. Families who have lost loved ones, close friends who have moved away, and a few personal struggles have darkened my days. And then the tragedy at Sandy Hook, a town only about an hour's drive from my hometown in Connecticut, rocked our nation. In fact, today I found out that two administrators and two teachers who died at Sandy Hook were graduates of my Alma mater (Southern Connecticut State University). With this news my world got a little smaller and my heart ached a little more.

When Advent began a few weeks ago, I did not expect these feelings of woe. Although the season of Advent is about recognizing the dark world in which we live, it also anticipates the light that is about to descend into our world. But with each passing week, and with each subsequent candle, I did not feel any brighter. That is until last night, when my daughter sang O Holy Night at her school's Christmas program.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . .

Indeed we live in a weary world, but hope makes all the difference. To every parent who has lost a child, and for every child who has lost a parent; for every heart-breaking goodbye, and in every tragic circumstance – may hope break into the darkness and illuminate our world. In trying times, hope anchors our souls. In the darkest of days, hope anticipates a brighter future. In a distorted world, hope transforms our perspective.

Hope descended into a manger 2,000 years ago and a weary world rejoiced over his birth. Hope dropped into my heart last night as my daughter sang, and I rejoiced in my Savior's advent. If you are feeling weary this season, may the light of the world pierce your darkness and may you awaken to a new and glorious morn.

Merry Christmas.

Stuart & Wendy

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees,
Oh, hear the angels voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night,
O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand;
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend;
He knows our need,
Our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

Finding Her Place

Did you know that the last time we see Mary, the mother of Jesus is in the book of Acts? They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ~Acts 1:14

"With this brief reference to Mary we realize that neither the sword that threatened her nor her own inability to understand Jesus prevented her from being one of those gathered in the upper room. These are the faithful ones, continuing to hold on to the promises of God. Obedient to the word of Christ. Mary, who began in Luke's gospel as a servant, appears here also as a disciple. This is the last we see or hear of Mary in the history of the church, but she is the only person who is present both at the prologue of the gospel and the prologue of the church."

Scars

These last few weeks, we have been looking at the birth and life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother Mary. In the Gospels, the last place we find Mary in the life of her son Jesus was at his cross. I can only imagine her heartache at that moment.

Treasuring the Wonders of God (part 2)

I began these Advent reflections as a way to witness the birth of Christ from a unique perspective. Divinely called and uniquely gifted, Mary gives us a front row seat to the most spectacular birth on record. Indeed, she was the only person who witnessed the life of God's only Son from the cradle to the cross. And therefore, as a mother, I appreciate her point of view like no other.

Treasuring the Wonders of God

Mary's pregnancy and birth were different in many respects. Like any other expectant woman, I'm sure Mary prepared and planned for the day she would give birth. Maybe Joseph saw to the furnishing of the home, while Mary asked a female relative to help her when the time came. But whatever plans they made, they were rudely interrupted by a decree from Caesar Augustus.

Carrying the Promise to Full Term

Mary was a very young woman, possibly no older than 15, when the angel Gabriel gave her a life changing message: Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ~Luke 1:30-31 

Although surprised by the news, Mary wholeheartedly submitted to the will of God. However, when Mary submitted to God's will, she was also submitting to the possible shame a premarital pregnancy would bring her. Nevertheless, despite the potential gossip, despite the possible rejection of friends, despite how Joseph might react to the news, Mary submitted herself to God. By her own confession in verse 38, she was first and foremost a servant of the Lord. Without complete understanding, yet with complete trust, Mary prepared herself to carry the promise of God to full term.