I might be a little weird but I always love shows or movies that move back and forth in the timeframe of the storyline and plot. They seem to capture and hold my attention better. Hopefully, you do too because I’m going to do a little of that with you. First, Merry Christmas to you and your family as I know that’s where we are real time and I LOVE Christmas! I know I would normally relate to the Christmas story and I believe I am… just differently. God sent His Son as the perfect gift to us and did so in such a sweet and humble way. And yet it was also with the most purpose of any gift ever given – to be Immanuel “God with us.” Jesus came and lived to show us God’s nature and heart and then asked us to follow Him in living out the gospel and God’s love with the whole world – Joy to the World and Light in the darkness!
Lance suffered a stroke as a baby, and it led to his left arm being drawn up with limited use. As a child this condition made him a target for some of his peers to make fun of him. His mother left him and his dad due to her addiction to alcohol and drugs, and Lance fell into a pit of anger and bitterness which can too often happen when a child faces so much hurt and rejection. Next, he began to get into trouble at school and fall behind academically. Along the way, Lance says he met a Student Resource Officer, Jerry Lawson, who started encouraging him to not be defined by his mistakes or the hard circumstances he had faced. Officer Lawson also told him about Jesus and the gospel started to crack the walls Lance had put up to protect himself. Sadly, just as he was starting to make some progress he and his dad were evicted, and they became homeless.
One of the most tragic stories happened shortly after Jesus was born. Herod the king ordered that every male child two years old and under living in and around Bethlehem be killed. I can’t fully comprehend that atrocity or the evil that the enemy employed to bring this kind of pain and suffering for those families. That same enemy is still unleashing evil to destroy families all around us today, and yet God keeps sending His people to bring the hope of Jesus into dark and despairing situations.
Paul reminds the church at Corinth that, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” (I Cor. 3:3). We see the same process playing out often today at Holston Home for Children. Mr. Lawson planted seeds in Lance’s life and then it was time for the caring staff at Holston Home to water them as Lance came to live here about six months ago after finding himself homeless. One staff, AJ Crawford, really connected with Lance early on and would spend time working outside and doing campus projects with him. Although you might think having only one physically able arm and hand would limit this young man, everyone was blown away by his incredible work
ethic and pride in doing manual work. This work ethic has become so important to Lance that he has worked closely with AJ and some of his peers to serve others including a widow with landscaping needs. Since living with us Holston Home has secured physical therapy for Lance along with Botox injections, and he is gaining increased mobility and strength in his wrist and hand. He will be continuing this treatment for his arm also over time.
Working side by side is a great way to have rich conversations with kids. AJ has been able to have beautiful discussions about the Lord and His love and goodness with Lance while acknowledging the brokenness and difficulties of the world around us. Lance has given his life to the Lord and recently followed Him in baptism. Lance shared in his testimony, “Jesus shows me the way to deal with things. It can be tough, but He tells me I can get through it.” Indeed, God is causing the growth! And the purpose of God’s gift to mankind that first Christmas is given day after day to child after child two thousand years later.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts for the children living at Holston Home. You are a critical part of the purpose of Christmas as well as the planting and watering that happens in the lives of our youth. I give thanks for you and your commitment to caring for children, and I pray God’s blessings as you and your family celebrate the holidays. Merry Christmas again and I pray you experience God’s very best in the new year!
In Christ,
