“I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth good will to men”
We’re all familiar with the Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Written during the Civil War by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a grieving widowed father of six children, the oldest of which had been severely wounded in the war.
We pray for peace on earth; however, God allows seasons of suffering.
As Member Care directors, we hear the cries of our missionaries in Ukraine, and it has been a very difficult year for them as they resign themselves to the long-suffering heartbreak and grief of war.
Perhaps, what may be most emotionally exhausting for adults and children alike in Ukraine are the constant sounds of air raid sirens. Some of our missionaries are school teachers, some are house parents of children’s homes. Many of these children whisper in fear, “I hear the sirens.”
Here is an excerpt from a report from one of our First Love missionaries:
Rosa, serving in Zhytomyr, Ukraine —
“Inside me exists two truths at once.
“One is that I am tired. I am tired of watching Russian rockets fall on apartments and parks and bus stations. I am tired of crying as our children tell about how they watch their parent die in front of them. I am tired of watching parents weep over the lifeless body of their child. I am tired of seeing people lose everyone they love in these senseless acts of terror that Russia continues to commit daily.
“The second truth within me is that God is on the throne. He is bigger than this war. He is bigger than any government or military. I take solace in this. I know He is here with His children during the darkest moments. I know because I can feel His presence and protection. I don’t have to fear for the future because I know Jesus, and I know He’s prepared a place for me in His Father’s house.”
The walls and ceiling of this church were recently finished, but no church services are held here, instead it serves as a warehouse for supplies to distribute to many in need.
A huge THANK YOU for YOUR generous giving as you continue to share with many suffering families —
food, stoves, sinks, refrigerators, tea pots and much more . . .
for many who lost their homes . . .
and the message of Jesus shared with the distribution of Ukrainian Bibles for adults and children.
Meet our First Love missionary Dasha who remains in Kiev,Ukraine, with her husband Joe during this horrific war. They are both teaching in a Christian school and, along with their students, continue to stand in Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives strength to his people, and the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Our prayer is that the air raid sirens over Ukraine will soon be replaced by the church bells of tomorrow.
“Then peeled the bells more loud and deep
“God is not dead nor doth he sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth good will to men
“DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS? they’re ringing
The Light the angels singing
Open your heart and hear them
Peace on earth good will to men”
God has certainly enlarged our territory ( I Chronicles 4:10). We began our ministry in the Philippines, but now we are privileged, as First Love Directors of Member Care, to come alongside, providing biblical counseling and encouragement to all our missionaries represented in thirteen countries. There are always personal struggles and ministry challenges especially in a foreign land.
Also, please pray for us as we plan to visit and encourage the people we love so deeply in the Philippines in early 2023. We will spend face-to-face time with our First Love missionaries on the islands of Luzon, Tacloban, Boracay and Panay.
We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year and are grateful God’s love continues to grow in our hearts as we grow closer together.
Our prayer is that you will continue to open your hearts to the needs across the world. We sincerely thank you for your prayers and support.
May God fill your lives with love, joy and peace this Christmas and throughout the new year.
Steve & Susan