“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9: 2&6
We are thankful for the Hope of Christmas- that Jesus Christ was born so that He could one day die for us, so we can spend eternity with Him.
Some of you know that I (Karissa) went to Papua New Guinea eight years ago to learn about tribal missions. One thing I will never forget about being there is the deep darkness I felt around me as I was with people who lived in fear, trying to appease spirits around them, and who were unknowingly held in bondage to sin by Satan and the very demons they worshipped. Before going there, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine a place where there were no Christians, but that is the reality in many places in the world. Towards the end of my time there, I got to go to another village in which there was a tribal church. It was incredible to see the light in people’s eyes as we worshipped Jesus together.
I remember one man telling me about the joy and hope he felt when a missionary shared the gospel with him. “We had never heard this talk before!” he told me. These tribal Christians are who I think about whenever I hear the song, “Oh Holy Night.” “…Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices…” Life without Christ is painful and wearisome, because He is the only One that truly satisfies, and the only One who frees us from striving to earn heaven (because we can’t, but He paid it all!). Just as the shepherds and wise men greeted Jesus with joy, our prayer is that soon the Umeda tribe will hear about Jesus and accept Him with joy.
Jesus Christ has changed our lives and given us hope and joy because we can be sure we will spend eternity with Him. Thanks for helping us to share about our Savior with those who have never heard about Him. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, thanking God for Jesus!
Till all know,
Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck Long
“We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.” — Oswald J. Smith.
Please Pray:
– For wisdom in how to continue finding new prayer and financial partners
– That we will have opportunities to connect with some more churches
– That our hearts would be encouraged
– For safe travel around Christmas time
– For opportunities to share Christ with people
Praise God:
– We are enjoying time together as a family of four
– For sending Jesus into the world
