The Crains
On Sunday afternoon, November 19th, we had the great pleasure of taking part in the induction service of Alden Crain as our new pastor at the Midland Baptist Church. We are so excited for Alden, Tracy and their family as they begin life and ministry in Midland.
Erica with Barbara Sherwood and Andrew Myers
Travis King
Theresa Hickman and Jackie Crain
Guest speaker Martin and Bev Zwicker
posted by four_kennys @ Thursday, November 23, 2006
1 comments
1 Comments:
So thrilled to be part of your blogspot. I think this is a first for me. As I read your Christmas letter I felt my heart begin to race a bit. The thought of having the kids in school on Jan. 9 and all that will happen in between brings back a flood of memories and emotions. Christmas for us this year is being filtered through our experiences in Kenya. Jackie announced the other night that she thinks she likes Santa Claus better than Jesus. While it is easy to see how a 6 yr. old would come to that conclusion, it disheartened me. Right or wrong we talked to her about the orphanage where she came to us from. We asked her if Santa Claus came to Rehema. No, she said. We explained that Santa wouldn't be coming to Rehema this year either because he is a fantasy person only kids in rich countries can really believe in. We went on to tell her that Jesus, though, will visit Rehema. Through the couple that run the orphanage (48 kids, most of whom are HIV positive), others who will visit and bring a few gifts, many others who support the ministry financially. All will come because they have caught Jesus' vision of a better world; the ushering in of His Kingdom. 78,000 homes have been washed out by the flooding in the Northern parts of Kenya, which means 100's of thousands left homeless. Indeed, we process Christmas here in Canada through a very dim lense; one that makes us think that our experience is the world norm. I find myself guarding against reaction a lot of the time. But knowing as well that we are a Country in need of hope here too. We have had it all and find that the "all" has left us wanting. We are a people who need to enter into God's purpose for us in Christ Jesus. And so, here at Midland Baptist, we want to celebrate Christmas; be the storytellers and invite our neighbors to celebrate with us.
God bless you guys. Keep being heroes to the rest of us as you go out to explore the world in Jesus' name.
Alden
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