Christmas greetings,
“For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord,” (Luke 2:11). This is undoubtedly the most wonderful and
amazing message ever heralded of all time.
After hearing this great news, the Magi began the tradition of giving
gifts in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and as children we looked
forward to the gifts we found in our stockings on Christmas morning. As we grow and mature we realize that the
greatest gifts are not those that can be contained within a stocking, but those
that are from our Heavenly Father and cannot be contained on this earth.
With the Christmas season
upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on this past year and all the wonderful gifts
from God regarding the ministry in Belize.
Since the beginning of 2011, He has added two new church developments
bringing the total number of churches under GEM to nine. Not only has God increased the number of
churches, but He has also provided a pastor for each of the churches, and most
importantly souls are being saved each week.
We were privileged to host 21
teams this year that helped us with several construction projects, evangelism,
discipleship, food distribution, and distribution of clothing and shoes in at
least nine different villages. Construction on three church buildings was begun
with one of those three being already completed. Construction on the preschool in More
Tomorrow is almost finished including the bathrooms and water tank which will
service both the church and the preschool. New bathroom facilities were built
on the northern campus and new mattresses for the bunks enable us to rival five-star
accommodations (well, maybe not quite).
The Gaither family is also greatly
blessed and enjoying this Christmas season.
As tradition would have it, we have made out our Christmas lists and are
looking forward to what we might find in our stockings that special
morning. Just to give you a glimpse,
Randy has got the fountain of youth at the top of his list while Sheila is
hoping for that never-ending buffet that includes lots of chocolate with
almonds (hold the rice and beans please).
Brandon is looking for a Dodge Challenger (yep, with a hemi), and Micah
would like a real train that he can drive when he is not riding his very own
merry-go-round.
But in all seriousness, we
are honored that God allows us to be used by Him in His great plan to expand
His Kingdom. It has truly been an
amazing year! This Christmas season, and
for the years to come, may each of you have the gift of faith, the blessing of
hope, and the peace of His love.
Merry Christmas!
from Randy, Sheila,
Brandon, and Micah
