See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19
Dear Friends and Family,
I pray you all had a blessed holiday season as you celebrated Christmas and ushered in the New Year.
I believe Christmas is a time when people are more open then other times to hearing about Jesus. You find people of different cultures and faiths acknowledging His birth and even celebrating. As Christians and as a church we realize acknowledging Christ’s birth is not enough to save you. During the holiday season we found the best way to celebrate Jesus’ birthday is to tell people the whole story, that He was born, lived, died for our sin, and rose again, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
The many different ministries at Arise Christian Fellowship reached out to the community in different ways. For the Women’s Bible Study the ladies invited friends and neighbors to come to our Christmas party. I shared about the family of Jesus leading up to His birth. I concluded with the purpose of His coming. One lady gave her life to Jesus and has said she will begin to come to church and Bible study. We also had a meal together and gave some practical gifts to give the ladies so they could prepare Christmas at home. There were more than 20 children that attended the women’s party as well and we have them a gift of school supplies and candy.
At Church for 2 weeks before Christmas the youth were practicing everyday for at least 4 hours for the Christmas program. We included Bible lessons surrounding Christ’s birth so that they were also learning and understanding what they were preparing for. We encouraged them to bring friends to be a part of the time sort of like a vacation Bible school, as well. The church was literally overflowing with children. Liana was apart of all the activities and was so happy to have so many friends. On the last day of practice we had a big party and the kids had a meal and received a Christmas gift. Liana gave out candy canes.
Some of the church members went into the slums near the church and shared the gospel and a food gift with those who they knew needed it the most. They also invited them to the Christmas service. Our church celebrated its Christmas service on Christmas eve since it was on a Sunday. Brian shared the Christmas message. We had two people share special music, one on violin and the other on saxophone. The choir led us in worship and Christmas carols. The children and youth put on a big production. They had singing and dancing that all culminated into the telling of the Christmas story through acting. It was very beautiful. I believe everyone was touched and everyone there understood the true meaning of Christmas. After service we had a time of fellowship with snacks and we handed out salt, sugar, and soap as Christmas gifts.
Uganda ushers the new year in with fire works. From our neighborhood you could see many different displays that were set off around Kampala. Brian gave a New Year message for the church, looking forward to what we are praying for the church this year. He used the example of the early church to share how the church should be moving forward. We are excited to see what God has for the church and our family in 2024.
Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda.
In Him,
Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana
PRAYER REQUESTS
- We are so thankful for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
- Please pray for this New Year. Pray for God’s guidance in the ministry and for His will to be done.
- Pray for those who were reached during the Christmas outreaches. Pray that they would come to church and be in fellowship. Pray for many to come to Christ.
- Pray for the youth to continue to desire to meet together and learn about Jesus.
- Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
- Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
- Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.
