OH THE WONDER OF IT ALL!

THIS PICTURE of Mary the Virgin being greeted by her cousin Elisabeth    really rejoices my heart!   Such JOY and exhilaration on the part of Elisabeth (right) and a kind of excited wonder with Mary (left).    Everything seems just right about it - just as I would imagine it to have happened.
Why did Mary go to visit her cousin.     It was not too long after she became pregnant.    She was engaged -  but Joseph was not with her.     Had she decided to 'hide' and avoid unwanted gossip and stares?    Or was it that she wanted to share the wonder of her situation with someone else who had been pregnant longer - someone who had been pronounced barren, yet now when she was beyond the usual age for child baring had suddenly found herself with child - through the intervention of God as foretold by that same Angel (Gabriel) that had spoken to Mary a little while before?      Whatever the reason there was refuge and welcome there, and one can sense that great happiness when two people who trust and value one another meet.     Yet this was BEYOND all that either had expected I think.
Elisabeth, as soon as she had heard Mary's Greeting, felt her own baby LEAP in her womb, and she herself was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.      Such an unexpected and spontaneous happening, and Elisabeth found herself involuntarily proclaiming -

Blessed are YOU among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

What will this mean to me -

that the mother of my Lord has come to me?

FOR 

as soon as your voice was heard in my ears

the baby leapt in my womb for joy.

Blessed is she that believed;

for there shall be a performance of those things

which were told her from the Lord

Whatever WERE Mary's personal reasons for making this journey to visit her cousin, God meant to use it to wonderfully confirm her faith, and to increase it.        After much trepidation, heart searching and perhaps even doubt, Mary now finally felt freed to truly believe ALL that the Angel had said to her.  As her cousin testified to realising God to be with Mary,  Mary herself felt strengthened within herself

Now she could take hold of Joseph's hand, and together they could face the world around them, and walk in faith with God!      We do not know how long she stayed with her cousin - but it may not have been very long....!

Two things impress me, looking once more at this friendly encounter.     One is that from the first JESUS within Mary was able to make His Presence felt by others.   The other that the Spirit that was within HIM was able to overflow to another.       TRULY His conceptional name IMMANUEL - 'God with us' was clearly demonstrated in this meeting.......... and I believe this is something that even now in our own experience is able to be apprehended.       Look out for GOD - He IS with us in Christ Jesus.

Come to HIM and you will find GOD.       Seek for God and you will consider this Holy Child JESUS, who grew to Manhood,  and put to death on a Cross too all our punishment for all our sin upon Himself, descended into Hell, and ROSE again from the grave, Victorious and Alive for ever, our Saviour, Lord, and KING.

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Christmas Trees are now UP in all our houses here in Testimony.    And yes, they are adorned with lights and tinsel.

And yes, they have provided a sense of celebration and joy to everyone.      This is a Special Time; a special occasion,   the DAY will soon be here with us when we remember the 'Birthday' of the one who came to secure us for Eternity.   And YES, we know it is not really His Birthday - but it the day we choose to REMEMBER it.     And we will do it with joy and not with sorrow or theological debate.

The Nativity Play is in Rehearsal, and on Monday I will be in the School Hall for a peak at how it is looking.    The date for the Concert is Friday 21st December.    Not too many days to polish everything, but the children are very enthusiastic and glad to have an opportunity to declare their joy in Jesus.

Suddenly Carols and other Christmas music (even Handel's Messiah) is being heard within our two compounds. and at last we have become aware - despite heat and sunshine - that Christmas is with us.    The story has begun and is unfolding........soon it will reach its climax!

Some of our old boys have just called in to give us two 90kgs sacks of beans, and to say more is on the way.   Wonderful to have them remember us.    And there will be others.      Love and Thanksgiving also to all who, through AENON Trust, have recently sent to us, in Jesus Name.     God has helped us to be able bring the children into Season's Joy and Happiness for this Advent .      Thank you all that partner with us in this wonderful privilege of bring hope and life to children who had NO hope, and little life expectancy.       This is a MIRACLE, that by the Grace of God, we can, and do,  all share in.

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THANK YOU also for taking on the Burden I shared with you on behalf of Joshua and Miriam and their  problem with the Inland Revenue.       SO FAR nothing more has happened.     The Letter threatening acting remains - but they remain in their home, and the children remain in theirs.     This will not be the end of the matter, but we will be believing and praying with them that the LORD will keep what is HIS against all comers.       Joshua and Miriam are both well, and firm in their convictions.    We hope to see them during the Christmas days ahead.     We shall encourage each other as always.

Much Love in He Who is our LIFE.      May He give you peace and quietness in the midst of joy and worship as the world whirls itself into a shopping and spending frenzy.

Affectionately

John and Esther & Daryl and Carol  (The Greens)

plus all those labouring with us, and living as 'family' with us