Merry Christmas

 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

                                                                                                                                  

Wow, it is hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away. Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the fellowship with friends and family, seeing the lights, seeing Christmas trees, the food and all the joy that the season brings. But is Christmas really about these things? Is it really about the gifts we give and receive, the lights that adorn houses, trees, streets and shopping centers, the cards in the mail and the delicious meals with family and friends? Is this really Christmas? 

While these things are all great, for us as Christians, Christmas is not as much about such things as it is remembering and reflecting on the birth of our precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  God showed His unconditional love for us when He sent Christ into the world to be born as a baby in the manger.

His birth brought great joy to the world, not only that night but for every day to come. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were filled with joy, the Shepherds, the Magi’s and angels all shared in the joy and excitement of knowing about the awesome birth of the Saviour. Though He was born in a manager, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lay before an audience of animals, those who saw Him knew He was not an ordinary baby. The prophets in the Old Testament told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star shone brightly over the place of His birth in Bethlehem to guide those who were looking for this wonderful child.

Today, His Cross, the empty tomb and grave clothes stand as a reminder of all He has done for us. He did not stay a baby, He grew up to be a man, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross to pay the ultimate price for our sin so that man, by faith, could be reconciled to God. Without the person and work of Christ we would all be stuck in sin but praise the Lord that we are not.

This is why we celebrate Christmas. It is because of what HE has done. Jesus was born so one day He could pay the ultimate price for the things we have done that are sinful. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature, a desire to want to do wrong things. God can never be near sin and hence the reason we need to have sin removed from our lives. The only way is through Jesus Christ. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins past, present and future. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us so that we can be made clean and become His child. We can rejoice in the fact that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over. What a great reason to rejoice and all because of Christ.

So this week as you go about shopping, preparing the house for family and friends, getting all the presents wrapped and whatever else you may be doing getting ready for  Christmas day, remember that CHRIST is the real reason for the season and this is why we rejoice. Be sure to share this story with your family and friends and all those you meet today, this week and every day.

The Christmas Story

Luke 2:4-19

 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A CHRIST FILLED NEW YEAR

Ricardo, Kristin Timothy & Annikah

Simply Asked

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

Abraham left his homeland,his country,the place where he was most comfortable,the place where everything was going well for him, to settle in a foreign country and became a great nation simply because God asked him to go. 

God has simply asked us to go to Hawaii and we have prayed and prayed and prayed and we feel and know that this is where we should be. For whatever reason though,as part of God's plan it is taking a while. However, we know that He is faithful and will get us to Hawaii to begin the ministry there.

We are still in need of 40 more individuals/churches/families to support us with at least $100 USD per month. Please pray that doors will be opened for financial support and soon.

In the Lamb,

Ricardo

A Nice Reminder

"I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain." Isaiah 45:19

God has clearly revealed that He will hear the prayer of those who call upon him, and that declaration cannot be contravened. He has so firmly, so truthfully, so righteously spoken, that there can be no room for doubt. He does not reveal his mind in unintelligible words, but he speaks plainly and positively, "Ask, and ye shall receive." Believe, O trembler, this sure truth that prayer must and shall be heard, and that never, even in the secrets of eternity, has the Lord said unto any living soul, "Seek ye Me in vain."

Charles Spurgeon

Thankful

          As I did my devotions today I was reminded of Corrie ten Boom. This name came up a number of times when I was at the Children's Ministries Institute^®.  

         Corrie remembered a childhood conversation with her father, which took place years before she was imprisoned. In the conversation she asked her father how she would be able to bear it if she were ever to be persecuted for her faith or have to die. Her father responded by asking Corrie to think about the time that she received her train ticket when taking a trip. Was it before the trip? No. The conductor gave Corrie her boarding ticket just as she stepped onto the train.

         We need not worry. Whatever may come in our future, Jesus is already there with our ticket. He will give us what we need, just when we need it.

         As we pray for and trust God to provide for the financial support to begin our ministry in Hawaii, I was reminded that, just as Corrie received that ticket just as she stepped onto the train, so too, we will receive our ‘ticket’ for Hawaii at just the right time that God sees fit.

         I am so thankful that He is our Father and that He knows best, for He holds all things in His hands. As we pray, He continues to work in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend. I am thankful that He continues to provide for all our needs even when I do not see how. I am thankful for His love and for His mercy. I am thankful for the blessing of an awesome wife who is always by my side to support me and our family. I am thankful for Mom and Keith and the blessing they have been to us. I am thankful for my in-laws and the support they provide. I am thankful for all the wonderful friendships that were gained during our training in Missouri. I am thankful for all our supporters and partners in ministry. I am thankful that in His time, by His grace, He will work all things out for His honour and His glory. An I am thankful for so much more, but most of all, I am thankful for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, without Him I would never have understood, how wide and long and high and deep His love for me really is (Ephesians 3:18). 

May the Lord bless you guys always and may your Thanks Giving be as special and as blessed as you all are.

In His Love,
Ricardo & Kristin, Timothy and Annikah

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Graduation Video

If you would like to view the CMI Graduation Video please follow the link to YouTube below or search 'CMI Graduation' on YouTube. The video is about an hour long, but you can fastforward if you would like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2gFei_kGlw

I still have to upload the last part where we collect our diplomas...hopefully I can get it done tomorrow...anyway take care and enjoy :o)

We are Home!

We finally made it home, it's hard to believe 3 months is over already. It was an amazing 3 months and I learned at lot and made some wonderful friends. The Children's Ministries Institute provided solid biblical training that has thoroughly equipped me for the ministry that God has called me and my family to in Hawaii.  It was one of the best trainings I have ever had and I am excited to implement all that I have learned.




We are praying for  41 more individuals or churches to support us with at least $100US per month so that we can complete our assignment and begin the ministry in Hawaii.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.  Philippians 4:17

Because of your financial support I was able to be part of a team that was able to go into the public school and freely share the gospel for the last five weeks...and because of this 8 children came to know the Lord as their Saviour, three of which I  was able to counsel for salvation. This was just within a five week period! 

Children today, are in desperate need of the Gospel. Your financial support will help the Gospel spread to these children who will  grow to impact future generations for the Lord. This is the fruit of your financial giving.

Please pray for us as we seek financial support to advance our ministry. We know the One who calls us is faithful and  He Will see us through by providing fully for our needs.

We have taken the leap of faith, We are being obedient to the Lord, We are seeking His face, We are trusting Him to provide and We look forward to seeing the great and mighty things He will do. We have been blessed through this process, we have been without a job for the past three months and the Lord has provided for all our needs...what a great God!!

Will you take a step of faith and partner with us financially? 

Do not miss out on what God will do through your faithful giving. He will bless you and He will provide for you just as He has for us. 

Become involved in what God is doing in the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship^® 

Become involved in what God is doing through the ministry to which He has called us

 But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians  8:7

The Lord bless you and keep you always


Aloha,

Ricardo, Kristin Timothy & Annikah

Last Practicum

It is finally over, all practicums have been completed...Wahoo!! Just two more weeks of training and I will have completed  the Children's Ministry Institute. Please continue to prayer for us as we prepare to head back home and raise the rest of our financial support. We are praying for the Lord to provided 50 people who will give $100 or more per month. 

  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8


Aloha,
Ricardo & Kristin