I’ve been here before. I’ve seen situations worse than this. I have watched other people with no hope, filled with anger and hatred. However, today something clicked inside of me. Something was different. It wasn’t just that these people had nothing and had no hope and that we were trying to touch them with the love of Christ and ease their suffering in some way with food, water and clothing. It was something different. It was more than compassion, it was an awakening inside of me. —
Dear Friends and Family,
Here it is December already and we are getting ready for our 17th Christmas at the children’s home in Tijuana. Where has the time gone? Almost daily we thank God for the privilege of being a part of the lives of these beautiful children. This has been an incredible year and we are amazed at what God has accomplished. His provision has been awesome—not only for the daily needs of the children, but for the construction of the new childrens home as well. Soon our dream of a new home for the children will become a reality and we are so grateful to each and every one of you who has been a part of all that has been accomplished. What a mighty God we serve!
This month has been very special for us in many ways. Last Saturday, we had a Christmas celebration for the families that are living at the dump. It was beautiful and we could see that God is truly beginning a work there. Next week we are helping with gifts for the Christmas program for a group of men living in a poor nursing home. Then we will be a part of our beautiful widows Christmas celebration. It is exciting to be a small part of what God is doing in the lives of people of all ages throughout the city.
Our month will end with a party and gifts for the boys at the boys home and a beautiful Christmas Day at the children’s home in Tijuana. How blessed we are to be able to spend our Christmas with these precious children! The month is filled with so much excitement and joy, and we have you to thank for making it all possible. In our next newsletter, we will share photos with you of the various celebrations. For the moment, we just wanted you to know that you are a part of something beautiful happening this month in our part of the world, and we are so grateful.
During this blessed season when we are so filled with joy and thanksgiving for all God has done, we find ourselves also giving thanks for you. Thank you for sharing with us this past year, so that we would be able to share with others. You have been our strong and faithful partners in everything that has been accomplished. Every wall that was built, you helped to build. Every child that was fed, you helped to feed. Every life that was touched, you also touched. We know that we could never do this work alone. You are a part of everything that God has enabled us to do. We pray that God will bless you abundantly and make you aware of His love in a new way this Christmas season and that He will fill your life with new purpose for His glory in the coming year.
Art and Joyce Stoneking
