For Friend our dear prayer partner
"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 room for them in the Inn." Luke 2; 4-7
As a child this story of the birth of Jesus always stirred my spirit. I was left in awe and wonder. How I wished I could have been present that Holy Night when Jesus was born so that I could join in the worship of the angels and shepherds. Even now my heart sings for joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Jesus came in love teaching us how to love;. Out of love he died for us so that our sins would be forgiven and we could enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven. It is an amazingly wonderful story of love; a love which still permeates our world regardless of attempts to quench it, deny it or commercialise it.
I thank you for being instruments of the love of Jesus into the lives of the children, the families and the communities Ohfi works alongside in various countries overseas. Thank you for fanning the grace of divine love into their lives through your prayers and generous financial support. Through this love lives are transformed and in a beautiful way given dignity and hope.
"Years ago now a friend and I visited Tanzania. In a village we came across an impoverished young teenage girl in a torn dress lying in the dust under a tree. The girl had dragged herself from her poor family home to this spot as her legs were paralysed. We gathered around the girl in the midst of interested onlookers and prayed for her. In my spirit I was convicted that we were to be part of the answer to our prayers. We talked with the leaders of the Christian organization we were travelling with and undertook to provide financial support from New Zealand if the organization could find suitable accommodation for the girl; accommodation that her family could not provide.
A Christian family in the village opened their home to the girl. Money was provided to build an extra room for the girl along with a toilet so that the girl did not have to use the communal toilet. A wheel chair was provided. The girl was given decent clothes and wonder upon wonder began her education at the local school. Her life was transformed.
The story does not end there. One day the girl asked to be baptised with the name of Christina. She was asked why she wanted to do this. She replied that she wanted to be like other Christians and to have the love of Christ in her heart. So Christina was baptised, in a bathtub with two people holding her and lowering her into the bath tub. It was a beautiful life giving occasion."
Through your love and prayers you are part of many stories like Christina's that reflect the transforming love of Christ bringing hope and dignity into the lives of impoverished and vulnerable children and families. We are deeply grateful for your involvement.