Merry Christmas World 2009 Is Here!

 Offer a gift. Help bring ... hope.

Your gifts do make a difference. The response to last year’s Merry Christmas World! appeal brought incredible encouragement to our missionaries, and hope to hurting people who depend on them. Bill and Bev Pharand, serving in Guinea, were thrilled to receive $1,000 towards the set-up of a pastor’s home on behalf of a family that had been sleeping on a mat on their concrete floor. Hector and Ruth Aragon, serving in Guatemala, were thankful for the resources to provide part-time work for impoverished students attending the William Cornelius Vocational Training Centre. Although sponsored, these students were struggling to cover the additional costs of their text books and uniforms.

You may have reviewed the report provided online showing how the $44,000 raised was distributed towards pressing ministry and community needs of more than 20 missionary families and ministries. (Click here to read the full report.) We deeply appreciate your partnership with us and bless the Lord for your faithfulness in responding to the difficult circumstances of people around the world. Once again this Christmas, you can consider the categories that made such a tremendous difference last year. Your donation can make a lasting impact in the life of someone living on the edge of despair.

BIBLES

Having access to the Word of God is an important aspect of growth for every follower of Christ, and for the effective spread of the gospel. Many pastors in remote communities are leading their churches without enough Bibles to share with their leaders and congregants. Many new converts are hungry for the Scriptures but are not able to afford a copy of their own. Your gift of $20, $50 or $100 can help provide Bibles to a missionary who can distribute them in their community.
Donate to the Bible fund

SCHOLARSHIPS
Countless youth and young adults have both the aptitude and desire to learn, but because of acute poverty, they are unable to progress very far beyond a primary school education. Bright, dedicated Christian youth who have attended high school often feel a calling from God to serve in ministry, but need proper training which they have no means to pursue. Your gift of $30, $100 or $200 can help a child or young adult continue with a much needed education. Donate to the scholarships fund


MISSIONARY CARE/NEEDS

Every year, hundreds of stories are told of the ways in which our dedicated missionaries reach out to widows, orphans, the sick, and many other marginalized groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and with practical help for their needs. Medical supplies, educational materials, food and clothing are some of the needs that our missionaries express an urgent need for. Your gift of $20, $50 or $100 can help them take care of the growing numbers of people who depend on them for help. Donate to the missionary care fund

EQUIPPING LEADERS
All across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and beyond, missionaries and affiliated workers are planting churches and laying a foundation for the proper training and networking of indigenous leaders. Apart from the spread of the gospel into these international communities, their work is needed for the establishment of a strong national church presence. Your gift of $100, $250 or $500 can help leaders in these regions facilitate operations, fund building projects, and impact surrounding communities over the long term. Donate the equipping fund

BEDS

There are many underprivileged children who don’t have much more than a foam mattress or a dirt floor to sleep on at night. Many medical centres and health clinics don’t have adequate bedding for their patients. Your gift of $20, $50 or $100 can go towards the purchase of more comfortable sleeping quarters for impoverished families, under-funded children’s homes and health care centres around the world. Donate to the bedding fund

SHOES

Shoes—something we take for granted and change so often in the Western world—are a valuable commodity in many developing countries. Thousands of children walk to school every day without them, or with shoes that are so badly damaged that they offer little protection from cuts and bruises. Some of our missionaries have asked for the opportunity to bless the communities they serve with this precious but very affordable item. Consider a $20 gift that can help purchase at least one pair of shoes for someone in need.
Donate to the shoes fund

CHRISTMAS DINNER/FEEDING PROGRAM

The lavish celebration of Christmas in some parts of the world stands in stark contrast to the grinding poverty that is a fact of life in so many others. Your gift can help some of our missionaries in needy communities or serving at orphanages plan a modest Christmas party that will bring cheer and happy memories to those they serve. Consider giving a gift of $20, $50 or $100 that will show the love of Christ in a practical way at a time of year when many feel forgotten and unloved.
Donate to the Christmas dinner/ feeding fund


GENERAL DONATION

If you feel a desire to make a real difference this Christmas but are not sure of the best category to give to, consider making a general donation to Merry Christmas World! Your gift will be distributed according to the identified areas of greatest need. Prayerfully consider a donation which will advance the cause of Christ through our international ministry activities—your contribution of any amount will be gratefully received. Donate to the general fund



“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to any one of these little ones who is known to be my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly be rewarded” (Matthew 10:42, TNIV). Thank you for working with us once again to keep the light of Christ shining in the darkened corners of our world.