Hello my dear friends and family!
What a year this has been! I started the year in Iowa, and I am finishing the year in Romania..with many more years to come in this country that has become my home. Thank you so much for the ways that you have supported, encouraged, and prayed for me this past year.
I want to update you all on a few things that have been happening recently. As you may know, I volunteer at the Ruth School 2x/week at their after-school program. If you're interested in seeing what we have been up to recently at the Ruth School, you can click here to be taken to Project Ruth's Facebook page with pictures and stories of recent events.
What a year this has been! I started the year in Iowa, and I am finishing the year in Romania..with many more years to come in this country that has become my home. Thank you so much for the ways that you have supported, encouraged, and prayed for me this past year.
I want to update you all on a few things that have been happening recently. As you may know, I volunteer at the Ruth School 2x/week at their after-school program. If you're interested in seeing what we have been up to recently at the Ruth School, you can click here to be taken to Project Ruth's Facebook page with pictures and stories of recent events.
One of my favorite times at the Ruth School was last Wednesday, which was the last day of school before Christmas break. The children performed the Christmas play in the morning (which was so adorable!) and we spent the afternoon talking with the children about being a light in the community. The neighborhoods where these children live can be seen as such dark and evil places. As an example of the darkness, click here to read an article that was published in November that describes the Livezilor street which is 2 blocks away from the Ruth School.
As you read in the article, these neighborhoods are "dark". But the Ruth School exists to change the cycle of darkness in these communities. The Ruth School provides education for these children and tells them about the good news of Jesus Christ in their lives.
So on the Wednesday before Christmas break, we talked to the children about what it looks like to be a light in their family and in their community. And as a symbol of that light, we brought in "make your own" candles from Asociate Ateliere Protejate and talked with the children about the people with special needs that make these beautiful candles. We then let the children decorate their own symbols of light to use as a reminder of the light that they can be in their home. The children were so proud of their creations, and we are thrilled that the children went home with a new sense of purpose in their families.
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
So on the Wednesday before Christmas break, we talked to the children about what it looks like to be a light in their family and in their community. And as a symbol of that light, we brought in "make your own" candles from Asociate Ateliere Protejate and talked with the children about the people with special needs that make these beautiful candles. We then let the children decorate their own symbols of light to use as a reminder of the light that they can be in their home. The children were so proud of their creations, and we are thrilled that the children went home with a new sense of purpose in their families.
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
During the Christmas message yesterday, the pastor talked about the examples we have in scripture of the angels coming to Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, and the shepards with similar messages.. do not be afraid for Jesus is coming. Immanuel, God with us, is coming. The long awaited, promised Messiah is coming!
What a gift we have in Jesus. The promised Messiah is here and has come to bring light into a dark world.
As 2015 is about to end, and 2016 is about to begin, let us remember Immanuel, God is with us. We do not need to be afraid.
And as we more fully understand what Immanuel means in our lives, may we seek to go out and tell others of this great message as well.
Sending you so much love and prayers of peace,
Mandi
What a gift we have in Jesus. The promised Messiah is here and has come to bring light into a dark world.
As 2015 is about to end, and 2016 is about to begin, let us remember Immanuel, God is with us. We do not need to be afraid.
And as we more fully understand what Immanuel means in our lives, may we seek to go out and tell others of this great message as well.
Sending you so much love and prayers of peace,
Mandi