One of the sentiments we all seem to cherish in our hearts is being home for Christmas.
It is a time where the home hearth, being close to family and friends takes on added, eager meaning. We share our love by sharing gifts and cherished greetings.
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Well, some folks are practicing an alternative tradition , where giving takes on a deeper meaning, as this giving is like that of the three Magi, traveling to foreign lands and giving of themselves with a special treasured meaning.
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My eldest daughter, Christina is a modern day missionary given of herself in a lifestyle impactful way. Christina and her husband Tom have dedicated their lives to service others in diverse places around the world. She spent nearly three years in India building churches and schools. Although she is now based in California, her frequent flyer miles rival most road warriors.
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They work for a very interesting missionary organization, Maranatha International, who has brought a new energy , and innovative spirit to this field of transforming lives. Maranatha is very adept in connecting to the local cultural norms, yet can put up a solid church structure in a day!
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For two Christmases in recent years, Christina has been a part of a short term missionary team who have dedicated the Christmas holidays to building a school, and its subsequent expansion in Ecuador.
Tom & Christina Lloyd, 21st. century Missionaries
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Click to listen to Christina’s insight on the life of a missionary
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Where the whole realm of nature mine
That was a present far too small
Love so amazing, so Divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Isaac Watts
