Jesus’ Shines
Jesus, the Giver of life, shines bright on Christmas celebrations. Glory to God for what He accomplished in the different areas of ministry. Indeed, the reason for the season was at work and will continue to be at work in and through our lives. I am grateful to God for all the privileges and challenges in sharing the Gospel in 2024 with victory and your faithful partnership.
Glory to God for the BSOP team Cambodia Annual Field Council, which was graced by our BSOP President, Angel Bergado, and a BSOP couple missionary from Thailand, Mr. and Mrs. Ybanez. It was another fruitful time of planning, reporting, encouraging worship, prayer, and fellowship.
Praise the Lord for a new experience observing the Advent of Christmas weekly last month. Every week the disciples at Shine were excited about their individual reading of Scriptures that prepared our hearts in celebrating Christmas with adoration to Christ Jesus. Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love fueled our hearts as we lit a candle each week with worship songs. Singim led and helped me with all the preparation at Shine’s Christmas gathering which served more than 30 people. Mie Oun is growing in her faith and love for Jesus. She invited her younger brother to join and it was his younger brother's first time to join a Christmas celebration among believers. Many came from old and new students and Bible contacts in the past. Pastor Sophin spoke the Word of God in the celebration.
Honor
and glory to God for the WABC church Christmas celebration. It was held in a
bigger place as we expected many people to come. I saw the church stepping up in proclaiming
the Good News of Jesus Christ through the leadership of Pastor Sophin. Sunday
school kids presented their memory verses with a dance number. Sreytoch invited
her older sister and nephews to come. Sreytoch and Leakhena trained the girls
in the Home to present interpretative songs and dance.
God be praised for the LOHI- LHA Christmas where I shared the true meaning of Christmas to children. These kids didn’t know who I was; that I was once working there for ten years. So, it was a new experience for me to speak to an audience that does not know who the person in front of them is. I relied on the power of the Holy Spirit as kids cannot be still for longer minutes. God was at work indeed. I almost lost my voice afterward because of the fun interactions with the children.
What a
great privilege to host the Filipino Christian friend's Christmas
celebration at Shine. It
was a relaxing time to speak our language, to laugh and sing out loud together. And to
have a feast of Filipino foods while exchanging gifts with our “Manito or
Manita.” God is good.
God is great and praise Him alone. The CGI Christmas celebration on the 28th of December went great! It was held outside in the parking area. Blessing these women with care and love especially with the Word of Truth is fulfilling. God is awesome in rescuing and giving us all hope through the birth of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is our life Giver.
Glory is all HIS. The Village Christmas celebration on January 1, 2025, was great! Makara and Nika worked hard in teaching these children every week. Our labor in the Lord is not in vain…Makara commits her time to teaching these children weekly as Nika is looking after her one-year-old baby Alison. Witnessing Makara step up with her service and love for the Lord is encouraging.
Kanya’s story of
little faith in Jesus. Kanya is a
little girl in my neighborhood, who sometimes in the past joined our kids’
English class at Shine. But now and then she spends time at Shine after her
elementary class. So, she is acquainted with my relationship and faith in
Jesus. She gave me a personalized paper Christmas card the second week of
December. I was touched by her gesture; the following week, she gave me another gift in a gift bag with pink pencils and some tokens. I was praying instantly in my mind, and the Holy
Spirit prompted me to give a storybook to her. That book is the story of Jesus
and His ministry with pictures. I gave it to Kanya and asked her
if she wanted it and if she could read it. She was so delighted to receive it
and immediately sat down and started to read. I was busy also, so I let her
read by herself. She reads faster, and Kanya can speak and read English
well. She told me that she loved the story and then Kanya’s mother came to pick
her up. I informed her mother about the book that I gave to Kanya. After a few
days Kanya came and was smiling telling me that she finished reading the book and
with enthusiasm she told me that she believes in Jesus. So, I turned around
with so much emotion in my heart, and asked Kanya, “What’s in Jesus that she
believes in?” She answered me straight that she believes Jesus is God. But
she said her older brother doesn’t believe in Jesus and told her that Jesus is
fake and not real. Kanya told me that her parents also don’t know who Jesus is.
She continued talking when I faced her, telling me that every night she reads
the book before bedtime. Kanya wants to learn how to pray to Jesus. But
she is afraid that her parents will be angry at her. So, I held her hands and
prayed with her a short prayer. Yesterday Kanya came again, and I asked her how
is she doing. She told me with her friend listening that she was fine; she was
brave to say that she only believes in Jesus. What a little faith from a
little girl! Glory to God!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians
3:20-21
You may click this YouTube link to watch a video of the 2024 Christmas celebrations.
Please
PRAY for…
1.)
Shine Prayer Breakfast on February 1, 2025
2.)
Shine Intentional Discipleship ministry, God’s wisdom and guidance
3.) WABC
Youth (High School & University) Love Month speaker, on February 8
4.) ARM
Teacher’s Training, mental & physical preparations as a facilitator on
March 11, and 25, 2025
5.) WABC
Young Adults Evangelism and Discipleship Training on March 29
6.) Intimacy
with God, good health, wisdom, and protection.
Blessed New Year! May the Lord bless you and keep you.
--
In Christ,
Mary Jane G. Aragon
BSOP Cambodia missionary
www.globalhz.org/bsop-aragon
P.O. 369 Box
Battambang City, Kingdom of Cambodia
+855770305008
https://mjaragonbsop.blogspot.com
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