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
As we 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! And yet the words from the beautiful O Holy Night carol still ring true – “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!
Through your prayers and financial support, you help bring the “thrill of hope” to people like Nikki.
Nikki is a seven-year-old girl living with a disability in Cambodia. 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!
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
