Barb and I left the states the end of November to spend December in Quito.  Some have asked what will you be doing?

The first week we were involved with a ministry some people at HCJB started 10 years ago called Extreme Response (www.Extremeresponse.org). It started by targeting the poor in Quito, especially those who live at the dump. Now it has ministries in over a dozen countries and put on “Christmas parties in Jesus name” in 8 countries this month.

We started right away packing 10,000 bags with food, beanie babies, school supplies and toys to give to the children and young mothers at 9 events around the country that we put on.  70 volunteers came from the United States and Canada to help. The older women received bags of food.

The Parties consisted of games for kids, face and finger painting, crafts, food distribution and message of Christmas in song and drama.

Here is a sample of my face painting skills.  I never knew I could do this. The kids loved it and gave me a chance to talk with the kids about Jesus while I painted hundreds of flags, hearts, butterflies, stars or rainbows on their beautiful faces.

Right after the parties Barb and I attended concerts that HCJB Global put on in the city to usher in the Christmas season and to celebrate Ecuador`s birthday (like our 4th of July). We put on concerts in high schools, the President`s Palace and the national theater with the National Symphonic band.

Each concert had a clear cut presentation of the story of Jesus and many people were deeply moved. Our Spanish radio people will do the follow-up.

The Choir of 70 people was made up of HCJB Global staff from the hospital and radio stations.  Right after that HCJB Global opened it`s facilities to the city and had an open house for three days. People sat in on radio programs, toured the hospital and met their favorite announcers and pastors.  Thousands of people visited. Many gave financial gifts to help pay for the radio ministry this coming year. It was wonderful!

So, that brings us to today… sunny and warm.. they call it a gift from God at this time of year, “The Summer of the Child” right in the middle of the rainy season.  It should be this way until Christmas!

This is Ron in Quito, Ecuador saying, “Have a wonderful Christmas!”

As we all know, we`re living in tough economic times, and with Christmas coming, it`s so easy to get down on ourselves, turning a glorious season into a time of stress or worry. Many might ask, “How can I give my family a ‘good’ Christmas?” But what defines a Christmas as good or bad? Christmas first and foremost is about Christ`s birth. Scripture says, “Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Foe unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

“Fear not.” It`s difficult not to fear with so much uncertainty, but we can count on God to see us through the toughest of times.

Christmas should be about sharing Christ`s love with others and not about how much stuff you can buy. This year, my family and I have decided to spend our money not on each other but on ministries. There are so many people, especially during the Christmas season, that need to know that they are cared about. Now is the time to take advantage of all the opportunities to serve.

That`s what makes it a ‘good’ Christmas!

I challenge you to make a difference in somebody`s life this Christmas; show them God`s love!

Sarah

Name: Carrie

Station:: KVIP

In today’s poor economic times, many Christians are finding themselves mired in debt and facing bankruptcy. I experienced a bankruptcy ten years ago and remember the shame, loneliness, and stigma it bears, especially as a Christian. Few will discuss it. God asked me to be the voice and to offer his hope through a blog, http://hopeforthebankrupt.com. I have over 2,000 readers. He has taught me obedience as I respond to Him and humility as I reach out to His hurting people.

Name: Abisai

Station::N/A

Working in the medical field I see lots of miracles and numerous times in which the only reason people make it through is because of the work of God`s hands. On a normal routine call one day the elder lady I was attending was in much pain from a severe injury.  After using every medication I had available I asked her if it was ok for me to pray for her… to my surprise she said yes, and I saw God give her peace during the rest of the trip to the hospital, upon returning from this call I told some friends about it and some where shocked that I crossed that line in the medical field known as ” professionalism” but to see Gods healing was amazing, joking around back at the station we said, they were our “5 minute ministries” the small window in which people seek for some kind of comfort in a time of need which so happens to be where God placed us at in those times. Needless to say many of my friends and I in the medical field are now doing this and it`s amazing to see the stories of hope and healing that come out of it in which God asks us to beckon His children unto Him and then we learn to trust and abide in God whole heartedly.