Merry Christmas from Promise Springs Rescue Center

As your Christmas Day is coming to an end, your house is quieting down, and peace is settling after a day of family or a quiet day just celebrating Christmas in a simple way, we want to share a story from Kenya.

The girls at Promise Springs Rescue Center wish you all a Merry Christmas.  They are all at the center from their respective schools and internships except one girl. She is on an internship at Tafaria Castle, a very upscale hotel, restaurant and convention center.  She is learning that in her chosen field of catering, Christmas is a busy time and going home for the holidays is not really an option, especially if you are just strarting out.

God has a way of sending His own lessons.  He has shown the staff and girls at the center and Ken and me, here at home, that he truly is Immanuel, God with us.  We know that of course, but sometimes, we forget just what that means

This story was part of the lesson that I wrote to share with the girls today.  We have always tried to emphasize to them that God is always with them and He knows their struggles and their victories.  But this Christmas, He gave us an example.  Let us share the story with you!

A few months back we shared the story of a Grandmother's love.  Please refer back and reread it.  It tells you the story of Mary, a mother and grandmother who lost her daughter who died in childbirth,  Mary chose, at the sacrifice of her ability to work, to take her daughter's children into her home and give them the best home she could.  That is a struggle when you can go out and work as a casual laborer, but even more of a step of faith when you have to stay home to care for an infant.  But God is with her and he has shown her and all of us that, in a very striking way.

The compassion and love of our Lord sometimes brings us to our knees in adoration, praise and thanksgiving.  As we serve in Kenya, the need and the poverty strikes us like physical blows.  The need is huge and we do what we can.  However, in our humanness and funding issues things slip by.  But our God never lets things slip by if it is in His will that something be done.  We got a text from one of the ladies from Boston who traveled with us to Kenya in August.   She said  that a piece of mail had been returned and she needed to verify the address because she had a donation to send to us.  I gave her the correct address and didn’t think much more about it. 

Then I went to the post office and opened the envelope.  I looked at the check and I was humbled to the point of tears.  On the check in the “For” line were the words, "Kenya 23 Grandma Mary".  Grandma Mary had been far from our minds.  We were thinking about new dorms, school issues, Christmas for the girls and employees…but forgot about Grandma Mary.  Of course, she is struggling at Christmas!  Of course, she needs help.  She has extra children and extra expenses. 

But you see, God sees those who are struggling.  He hears their prayers.  He uses His family, His body, to complete the job that he has created us for.  However and whoever donated this money, remembered Grandma Mary.  Thank you so much.  I called our manager in Kenya and told her the amount given.  I told her to go out and buy all the shopping for this family that she could. She did this and delivered the "shopping" on Christmas Eve.  Grandma Mary was so thankful.  Florah, our manager, said that she just kept repeating, "Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you!"  She admitted to Florah that she had skipped her midday meal, as things are so hard right now.  Now Grandma Mary and the children, will have a meager Christmas celebration, one provided by the sovereignty of our God who knows the struggles of all His people.  

At this special of special times when we celebrate the arrival of God’s son in the flesh, know that He is still Immanuel,  He is God with us and God with Grandma Mary.  We don't know the individual who remembered Grandma Mary, but we pray that he/she be blessed beyond measure for his/her obedience in caring for the “least of these”. We can rejoice and know that His Word is truth “Philippians 4:19-20 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen”

Thank you so much for all you do for those who see Christ through your loving hearts.

Grandma Mary, Florah, and baby David, who is growing and healthy.

Florah and baby David.  You can see how much Florah loves her job.

May you receive the give of Immanuel, God with us, today and every day.  He is faithful. Merry Christmas