The Chairman’s Report for September 2024

In this issue of the newsletter
New: The spirit filled energies in Christmas for Refugees programs.
New: Baptisms increase again this year at our orphanage.
New: Chapel services at Nigeria orphanage with music much like the USA.
New: “Happy Birthday Jesus” celebrations to be held for new orphans.

Christmas and Easter
Realizing the perfection and sacrifice of Jesus

Bringing Jesus to Christmas: There are two times of year when we as Christians stop all else to behold what Jesus did for us. At Christmas comes the realization that Jesus was the son of God, born to live a sinless life on earth. At Easter we celebrate the defeat of death through the sacrifice of His perfect, sinless life.

The word Christmas originates from the Latin phrase “Cristes Maesse”, first recorded in 1038, which means the Mass of Christ or Christ’s Mass. The term mass is used in Catholic, Orthodox, most Lutheran and some Protestant churches. ‘Mass’ comes from the Latin phrase ‘Ite missa es’ meaning “to send out” or carry the Gospel message.

The Christmas for Refugees programs are foremost about the spiritual aspects of the celebration of the coming of Jesus, sending out the message.

The Christmas for Refugees programs use a variety of means to communicate the Gospel message to displaced children from Christian backgrounds. There are Jesus centered songs, games, puppet shows, skits and even coloring contests of the Nativity.

YES … Children receive food and gifts. The material things they receive vary depending on the area and the need. The Bakka Valley in Lebanon is freezing in winter and there we furnish blankets. In other areas food and hygiene needs are most important. The material things are useful for their current lives, but the message given to them about Jesus is eternal.

Over the past 11 years of the Christmas for Refugees programs I have written often that we invite “Christian children.” The reality is that the children are from a “Christian background” and may or may not have a relationship with the Lord.

In Egypt most children from Christian homes have a cross tattooed on their wrist. The tattoo does not make them true followers of Jesus, it is meant only to prevent kidnappings.

Every Christmas for Refugees program proclaims the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Many children accept Jesus as Lord … Every child leaves with an understanding of what Jesus did for them and why Christmas is about Jesus and not just gifts and food.

The Christmas for Refugees program began to assist Christian refugees from Iraq as the Islamic State expanded. The programs expanded to help Christian refugees from Syria in Jordan and Lebanon. There are programs for internally displaced Christian families in Syria.

In Nigeria the need increases as Islamic terror drives Christian families from homes.

Spiritual Enrichment
Much More than Physical Aid

Jesus is at the heart of every initiative within Religious Freedom Coalition programs. The foundation of every program is the Gospel. Our programs for both orphans and adults include Bible studies, where many come to accept Jesus as their Savior and are baptized. Our mission work in the Middle East and Africa has led to significant spiritual growth and transformation. Please pray for the continued success of our mission programs.

Jesus in an orphanage setting

Baptisms are real! Recently at our orphanage there were 11 baptisms. All of the orphaned children came from “Christian homes,” but had never made a commitment for Jesus.

Some were very young when their parents were murdered by Islamic terrorists. Others were older and actively attended church with their parents before their homes were destroyed. All were from Christian homes, but their relationship with Jesus was nurtured in the orphanage.

Jesus is the center of everything at our orphanage. There are daily Bible studies. There are Bible classes and of course there are chapel services.

We replaced all the musical instruments destroyed when the Miango orphanage location was overrun and destroyed by Sunni Muslim Fulani. Some of the children have become accomplished musicians playing worship songs.

My wife Nancy and I have attended worship services at the orphanage, and they are a powerful witness to Jesus.

The older students at the orphanage have become competent musicians on various instruments we have provided them with, including keyboards. There are also amplifiers, speakers and even pedal boards for the guitar players.

The worship time of the service in the chapel is exactly like worship time in modern evangelical churches in the United States. The only thing missing is a parking lot full of cars!

At Christmas our orphanage holds a “Happy Birthday Jesus” celebration. The celebrations include memory recitation of Scriptures, the singing of Gospel songs and acting out of the Nativity.

I have attended a Happy Birthday Jesus celebration and was amazed at the music and the dedication of the students.

Last year the children of our orphanage brought a “Happy Birthday Jesus” celebration to the children orphaned during Christmas time attacks in Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Miango. Our students shared some of their own clothing as gifts!

The girls baked a huge birthday cake, and our director arranged a hot meal for over 500 of the new orphans. He also managed to find a bounce house!

After the Islamic State was “defeated” I thought the Christmas for Refugees program would reduce in size. Sadly, the attacks by Islamists have grown. An Islamic State attack in Germany in August killed three and injured five.

Please pray for the success of the Christmas for Refugees program this year and for the safety of all the children we will reach out to.