Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year! are greetings and blessings of peace and hope. I feel that the true blessing that we can give and receive is when you do more than say words but instead work toward making them true. It is arguably true that after decades of international effort and trillions of dollars spent trying to bring peace and end hunger and disease in Africa, the situation is relatively unchanged and remains a tragedy of daunting proportions. It is clear to me that A) the only true hope and peace is found in Jesus Christ and B) the people who are going to make the biggest changes in Africa are going to be Africans. It is a necessity that we all work on both short-term needs and long-term solutions.
Thank you for working in general for peace and hope in the world through your faith and compassion in anything you do and specifically with us at The Lord’s Servants Home in Kitale, Kenya to raise up Godly, loving, future leaders that we currently know as our Kids. We have spent 100% of the over $100,000 provided in 2012 for support, clothing, schooling, health, and new and upgraded facilities for soon to be 60 children. A similar amount will be spent in 2013 and will accomplish the same goals including a new water well and classroom building for The Lord’s Servants Academy, both of which will serve the community around the orphanage in the same way, providing a practical means toward peace and hope, investing in sharing the love of Christ and in children.
It pulls at my heart when our children thank me for paying their school fees, and when they get excited about new clothes or a book. I’m impressed how they work hard at chores and schoolwork and play even harder. I love how they care for each other and how they sing to the top of their lungs praising God. Lastly I’m humbled by the intensity of the prayers that come out of their little mouths in unison like a beehive. I know they pray for us way more that we pray for them. This all has to be very joyful to our Father.
So….May the Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope that God gave to the world through Jesus Christ reside and manifest in you and your family this season and always!
Thank you again and God bless you,
Bob and Kathy Hillebrand, Pastor Moses and the staff at the LSH, volunteers and helpers around the world, and the children.
Here is a great Christmas Song making me think about Africa…from 1984.
Lyrics to Do They Know It’s Christmas :
It’s Christmastime,
there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime,
we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty
we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
at Christmastime.
pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it’s hard,
but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window,
and it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them
instead of you.
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life (Oooh)
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Here’s to them underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Mission Servants Ministry 