The angel declared: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:10b-11
GIVE
Dear Friends,
As I look at the world currently, there is so much to grieve and lament over. There is so much pain and hurt. The world seems very weary! As I write this letter and reflect on so much despair, my daughter is in her bedroom singing along to her favourite Christmas carols. Suddenly I hear the words from the beautiful O Holy Night carol - “the thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices.”
The thrill of hope! I need that afresh in my life this Christmas. We all yearn for hope. Our planet groans for it. Baptist Mission Australia team members and partners walk alongside people longing for hope, meaning and transformation in their lives and communities.
And you are very much a part of this wonderful hope story!
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Our teams and partners can only share the good news of Jesus, by word and deed, with the support of people like you. Through your prayers and generous financial support, you actively participate in God’s gracious mending activity across the globe. You help bring the “thrill of hope” to people like Nikki and her mum in Cambodia.
Nikki is a seven-year-old girl living with a disability. Nikki and her mum live in a culture that all too often pushes people with disabilities to the margins. In Cambodia, disability support is under-resourced and generally not well understood. Often the lack of understanding results in a lack of acceptance and isolation for the person with a disability and their family, as well as a lack of access to basic services.
Yet we know that our loving God values every person and has a heart for those living on edges.
This year I had the privilege of visiting our Language of the Heart centre in Siem Reap. Established by team member Rachel, a Speech Pathologist, the centre is bringing support, dignity and acceptance to children living with disabilities and communication impairments and their families. The team, which includes dedicated local Khmer staff, have a vision to support cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. This is a place of hope!
Before coming to the centre a year ago, Nikki’s mother was weary. She hadn’t been able to access the supports she and her daughter needed. She worried about Nikki’s future.
When our team first met Nikki she was unable to speak using words but could make some sounds. She would enthusiastically point to everything. She was trying to communicate but didn’t know how. Her mother was shy and unsure about how to interact with the team. A year on, there has been very encouraging progress! Nikki has learnt to use Khmer sign language to reliably communicate what she is thinking. She has a big smile on her face at the centre.
Now, her mum is a much more confident person and can interact with Nikki in ways that are helping her development and communication skills. Family and friends regularly comment on the change they see in Nikki.
Rachel shares: “Nikki and her mum are on a journey and it’s our joy to be a part of this, as they experience hope, dignity and acceptance, and feel more a part of the community. As we walk alongside them, we’re praying for more opportunities to share the hope of Jesus in ways that make sense.”
Please, join me today, and make a special gift to this year’s Christmas Appeal, so that more people across the globe can experience the “thrill of hope” in their lives and communities.
Thank you!
Grace and peace,
Scott Pilgrim, Executive Director
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