Merry Christmas!
This is a difficult time for our family as we spend our first Christmas overseas and away from family. There is much good in it, though, as we are more focused on helping others than in receiving this year. We have prepared gifts and cards for each child at a local orphanage called the Uganda Jesus Village, which has 58 orphans between ages 3 and 12. We have had our sons helping to make each child a decorated card and in wrapping gifts. We will deliver them on Christmas day. The people who run the orphanage said that it is likely that these children have never received a wrapped gift before and that we will probably need to show them how to unwrap them. We are excited about this great opportunity to share Christ’s love and know that it will have a great impact on our children. Thank you to the many people in Niceville and Knoxville who donated items before we departed America for us to give as gifts. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others.
We had a group of eight Ugandans from the local Baptist Mission (where we stayed for eight weeks) for a Christmas lunch on Tuesday. It was a very encouraging time for us as we were able to share food, fellowship and love with fellow believers who are daily in a position of serving others rather than being served. They were greatly appreciative and blessed us by being in our home with us. It was just a small taste of seeing that it is better to give than receive.
Pamela and I went shopping at the local craft market yesterday for our boys’ presents. It will be very different this year! They will be receiving only handmade items that are made mostly from local woods. The various items include a drum, chairs, slingshots, animal figurines, and a chess set. As I have considered the modest gifts (compared to what they would normally receive), I am reminded that some of these things could easily be things that they could keep for many years or possibly the remainder of their lives. Whereas, if we gave them the more traditional gifts of games, toys, and clothes, that they would almost all be discarded in a few years. We pray that this first Christmas in Africa will be special and memorable. We often wonder how many more Christmases our family will spend here.
I was so glad to receive an email from Mike Wild last week. He told me that three things are required of a missionary: faithfulness, obedience, and to never look back. I believe that we are doing pretty well on being faithful and obedient, but not looking back is quite difficult, especially during the holidays. We remember that we left behind our families, a wonderful church family, a great community, sports, a beautiful home, a well-paying job at SAIC, the Destin beaches, and all of the comforts of America. I must admit, that we can begin to feel a bit sorry for ourselves when we look at where we were and then compare it to where we are now. However, in all of this I am continually reminded that what we have done is not even worthy to be compared to what Jesus Christ left behind in order to come as our Savior. He sat at the right hand of God, worshipped by the angels in all of the glory and splendor or heaven. Yet, He chose to leave. He was born in a stable, grew up in humble circumstances, without honor or prestige. He had no wealth or comforts. He would be misunderstood, falsely accused, and continually challenged. He ultimately would lay down His life with the cruelest of all deaths…the death of the cross. He was faithful, obedient, and He never looked back. He did this so that we could have life and share this life with others. We are privileged to suffer with Him, so that one day we can be glorified with Him. (Rom 8:17)
I think of Christ leaving heaven to come to earth in a different way this Christmas season because we can partially identify with Him. I believe that Christmas will be more difficult this year, but it will also be more meaningful as God continues to change us and conform us into the image of Christ as we minister in Uganda. Our prayer for you is that you will be able to appreciate what Christ has done for us without having to leave behind all that you know. Worship the King for He is worthy!
Merry Christmas from the Ironside Family!
This is a difficult time for our family as we spend our first Christmas overseas and away from family. There is much good in it, though, as we are more focused on helping others than in receiving this year. We have prepared gifts and cards for each child at a local orphanage called the Uganda Jesus Village, which has 58 orphans between ages 3 and 12. We have had our sons helping to make each child a decorated card and in wrapping gifts. We will deliver them on Christmas day. The people who run the orphanage said that it is likely that these children have never received a wrapped gift before and that we will probably need to show them how to unwrap them. We are excited about this great opportunity to share Christ’s love and know that it will have a great impact on our children. Thank you to the many people in Niceville and Knoxville who donated items before we departed America for us to give as gifts. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others.
We had a group of eight Ugandans from the local Baptist Mission (where we stayed for eight weeks) for a Christmas lunch on Tuesday. It was a very encouraging time for us as we were able to share food, fellowship and love with fellow believers who are daily in a position of serving others rather than being served. They were greatly appreciative and blessed us by being in our home with us. It was just a small taste of seeing that it is better to give than receive.
Pamela and I went shopping at the local craft market yesterday for our boys’ presents. It will be very different this year! They will be receiving only handmade items that are made mostly from local woods. The various items include a drum, chairs, slingshots, animal figurines, and a chess set. As I have considered the modest gifts (compared to what they would normally receive), I am reminded that some of these things could easily be things that they could keep for many years or possibly the remainder of their lives. Whereas, if we gave them the more traditional gifts of games, toys, and clothes, that they would almost all be discarded in a few years. We pray that this first Christmas in Africa will be special and memorable. We often wonder how many more Christmases our family will spend here.
I was so glad to receive an email from Mike Wild last week. He told me that three things are required of a missionary: faithfulness, obedience, and to never look back. I believe that we are doing pretty well on being faithful and obedient, but not looking back is quite difficult, especially during the holidays. We remember that we left behind our families, a wonderful church family, a great community, sports, a beautiful home, a well-paying job at SAIC, the Destin beaches, and all of the comforts of America. I must admit, that we can begin to feel a bit sorry for ourselves when we look at where we were and then compare it to where we are now. However, in all of this I am continually reminded that what we have done is not even worthy to be compared to what Jesus Christ left behind in order to come as our Savior. He sat at the right hand of God, worshipped by the angels in all of the glory and splendor or heaven. Yet, He chose to leave. He was born in a stable, grew up in humble circumstances, without honor or prestige. He had no wealth or comforts. He would be misunderstood, falsely accused, and continually challenged. He ultimately would lay down His life with the cruelest of all deaths…the death of the cross. He was faithful, obedient, and He never looked back. He did this so that we could have life and share this life with others. We are privileged to suffer with Him, so that one day we can be glorified with Him. (Rom 8:17)
I think of Christ leaving heaven to come to earth in a different way this Christmas season because we can partially identify with Him. I believe that Christmas will be more difficult this year, but it will also be more meaningful as God continues to change us and conform us into the image of Christ as we minister in Uganda. Our prayer for you is that you will be able to appreciate what Christ has done for us without having to leave behind all that you know. Worship the King for He is worthy!
Merry Christmas from the Ironside Family!
posted by Ironside Tribe at 7:14 AM
4 Comments:
Dear Ironsides,
Oh how I wish I could stretch my arms across the many miles and give you all a big hug.
What a blessing those children will receive from your family on Christmas Day. I pray your boys will be blessed as well. I also pray for your families in the States too, I know they will be sad without your presence with them during this time of year.
I love you all and miss you bunches!!
Merry Christmas!!
Kevin, would you want to coach at Alabama???
Love to all, friend in "T" town
Hey Kevin, Jeff Nettles here in Wisconsin. My bride and I have your family on the 'fridge, and pray for you guys as we think of you. Don't be discouraged, Kevin; no one who has left worldly goods will regret it, according to Jesus. It's only Wisconsin, but I know the feeling. Mike Wild's words encouraged me, and reminded me of Hudson Taylor's words years back, at the end of a faithful missionary career in China...
"I made no sacrifice!"
God's best to you guys as you serve Christ and gain biblical perspective on life!
Jeff
Sorry Kevin...........Tenn. got beat in their bowl game today. I thought for sure they would win.
Hey there Ironsides! We've been out of town for the past few weeks so I was just able to catch up with your blog. We're so excited about the opportunity you have to minister at the orphanage! What an impactful experience for all of you, but especially the boys! :) We look forward to hearing how God moves through you and in you. Happy New Year!
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