by Aaron White, WEGO Storyteller
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27
When I was a kid, I had a guilty conscience. I spent a lot of time at the altar of a tiny church, and a lot of sleepless nights worrying about things like bad words popping into my head. Needless to say for a child of this disposition, Santa Claus was a waking nightmare. Better watch out! Santa Claus was joyful and fun enough through most of December, but Christmas Eve it was time to pay the piper. The list was made, he’d checked it twice.
I was 5 or so when one Christmas Eve I spent one such sleepless night in tears wondering if I had made the cut. My mom must have heard me, because soon she was kneeling beside me.
“What’s wrong, baby, what’s wrong?” she said.
“What if he doesn’t come? What if I wasn’t good enough?”
She tried consoling me. When that didn’t work she disappeared for a moment and returned.
“Come here and see.”
Past the threshold of my bedroom and into the living room we went, but all I remember is the sudden sight of packages in unfamiliar paper, glinting beneath the illuminated tree. The hoped-for toy unwrapped in the midst of it all.
“See? He already left.” I nodded and wiped my tears and fell to sleep at last.
I will omit the spoiler in case of young readers–but we all know I didn’t get those gifts because I made the Nice List. I received the gifts and my assurance because I was loved. If my mother’s love moved her enough to pull me from my sleepless night with a promise, can you imagine the love that moved God to offer hope to the world?
We were born into that dark Christless December night with nothing but the knowing ache that our evils will outweigh our good. But God in joyous grace sent Jesus Christ to save us from judgment. Jesus lived in that dark night and died there. Then, with all the unlikelihood of a fat man sliding down every chimney on earth in a 24 hour period, Jesus raised from the dead and purchased light in the dark and the promise of joy in the morning for all who believe.
God is calling us to that light like a mother. He draws us on until it glitters in our eyes like a thousand gifts beneath a sparkling tree. Without Jesus, there is nothing to get us through the night. But now, the mystery is revealed. Through Jesus we have a promise that we will see the goodness of God, because he loved us.
This month we encourage you to spend some time in the Gospels. Ask that God would give you full knowledge of this mystery that is the good news of Jesus. Then pray the same for all those in this guide, praising God for his kindness in giving us a light in the darkness.
Join Us in Praying for Our Home Build!
This week, please join us in prayer for what will be the living room of the new children’s home. The story is in the name: this room is where all the life happens. Toy cars will be vroomed, crafts created, block towers will be built sky high, and chess tournaments will be won and lost on these floors.
How You Can Pray
Pray that deep relationships will be built here that keep our kids connected to our home long after they have moved away.
Bethany Harvest Church – Gachuurt, Mongolia
From Tuguldur:
“Bethany Harvest Christian Church was formed in 1998. I am the senior pastor. Our vision is to establish the kingdom of God by proclaiming the good news to the nations through disciples and leaders raised by God’s word and the Holy Spirit.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for our local mission work.
2) Pray for our church building. We need a bigger space, but because of the pandemic our building plan was cancelled.
3) Pray for our mission work in the UVS Province as we work to establish new churches.
Care Church – Nicaragua
Pastor Eliezer Cortez:
“Hello, how is everyone doing? I am well and just want to thank you all for praying for me and for all the pastors around Nicaragua. My church is located in Nandaime. I am married with 2 kids, who are 14 and 20 years old. We have 40 active members in the church. We gather 3 times a week and once a week we go out to evangelize. It has been such an awesome journey to serve God. Even in the ups and downs the Lord is so faithful. It is so good to be doing what God has called me to do. Me and my house will serve the Lord. I am in charge of 15 more churches around our country. Sometimes it’s hard to be there for everyone, but God is always giving me the strength I need to keep going. I will be praying for each one of you as you pray for us.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for spiritual growth in the churches.
2) Pray God would heal all the broken families.
3) Ask God to give hope to the hopeless.
Ganaa – Caregiver, Mongolia
About Ganaa:
Ganaa is such a blessing to WEGO’s ministry in Mongolia. She is like a big sister to the kids at the children’s home, and she is passionate about Jesus Christ. She also plays guitar and serves as worship leader for WEGO’s House Church occasionally. “Thank you for praying for me!”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray God would give her wisdom and opportunity as she studies to be a social worker.
2) Pray for her two brothers’ life and work.
3) Pray for her mom’s health.
Gerald Tapia – English Teacher, Nicaragua
From Gerald:
“Hi, my name is Gerald Tapia. I am the English teacher for New Hope High School, and also I work in my father’s bakery. About my hobbies, well, I can say that I love food, but I am not a very good chef. I like to read and practice sports, and learn new vocabulary in my second language. I became a teacher because I love teaching. I can say that I was born to be a teacher. Thank you.“
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray God would bless his parents’ bakery.
2) Pray God would give him wisdom to keep teaching.
3) Pray God would keep him healthy.
Ganbayar – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Ganbayar:
Ganbayar is a fun, energetic young man who loves to dream big. He has a big heart and isn’t afraid to learn new things!
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray God would give him wisdom in his studies.
2) Pray that God would give him the chance to pursue his dream to be a boat captain.
3) He would like us to pray for Aaya, the director of the Children’s Home, that her health would improve and that she could return.
Marueli Selva – Bible Club, Nicaragua
From Marueli Selva:
“Hello, I am in the 2nd grade and I am 8 years old. My mom’s name is Alexa Peña and my dad is Milton Selva. My mom is a stay-at-home mom and my dad works raising cows. My favorite food is rice and beans. I love to draw, paint and write. Every time I come to the Bible Club I get really excited. I’ve learned so many good things. I stay quiet when my teacher shares Bible stories because I want to know what Jesus is like.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for that God would give my teacher wisdom.
2) Pray my friends would have good health.
3) Pray that God would protect my parents.