Rock Standing Winter 2023
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.“
Luke 2:10-11
Dear Friends of H.I.M.,
The upcoming Christmas season is always a great time to reflect on the year just ending. This year in 2023 we saw major movement in the mission/ministry around the world. We have also been tragically humbled by the very real geo-political landscape and the biblical foreshadowing of these events that have kept us at prayer for Israel, for Ukraine, for the forced migrations from Pakistan back to Afghanistan, for the conflicts elsewhere where Christian people are being persecuted at exceptionally high levels.
In Matthew 24, that Savior Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, is sitting with his Disciples and they begin to ask Jesus about what will happen at the “end of days”.
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For
nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."Matthew 24:6-8
Now more than ever in my life has there been a MORE PROFOUND reason to point to the words of Jesus when I see the world on a global meltdown. The escalation of and the deterioration of human dignity has never been more challenging. As you read these stories about women being raped as they transport water from faraway sources to child exploitation and trafficking, and when we realize that women are being violated for monetary gain, the underbelly of darkness and evil we address is becoming too real. Again, thinking of these amazing, troubling times and the celebration at Christmas, friends our Hope is in the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, that is the only HOPE FOR THE WORLD. As we celebrate the Christmas season with the joy of loving families, great food and presents to those we care about, please consider a year-end gift to H.I.M. as we continue to offer solutions that provide human dignity and meet the darkness with the light of the Gospel message, until Jesus returns in majesty. Blessings to you all
and as always.
To God Be the Glory
Byron Whetstone, Executive Director