Christmas 2020 Fundraiser

Philippians 2:1-4 "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Each and every year there is a special effort put out during the Christmas season to be a blessing (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) to the communities that we have invested in and built relationships with during the year. The reason for this "extra" effort is that there is no better day on the calendar, for the Christian, to allow the blessings we have been given to flow through us and back into the world.

It is during the Christmas season that we celebrate the birth of the greatest blessing the world has ever known. And since the moment that blessing came, the opportunity to be right with God and join His family has been given. We, who are followers of Christ, have experienced that blessing. And for the believer, that blessing of Jesus our Savior has moved us from a place of spiritual poverty to a place of spiritual privilege.

The Christmas season is a time to reflect on the immensity and weight of God coming to earth, to save and love and rescue people who didn't know they needed saving. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate the birth of our King through whom we became citizens of God's Kingdom. It is a time for us to pour back into the world the blessing we have been given so that they too might know the God who saves.

Please consider joining us during this season in two ways:

1- Commit to praying

1 John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us."

It is God's will that the nations of the earth hear the gospel, repent, and believe (Matthew 28:18-20). It is God's will that His people live lives that imitate Jesus in both action and word (Ephesians 5:1-2). It is God's will that His people would pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send out more and more workers into the fields, because the fields are ready for harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).

If you would commit to praying for us and praying for the people we will serve this Christmas season; God will hear those prayers and we will more effectively be able to love others as He would lead.

2 - Give

A part of training the students to be Kingdom people is to provide opportunities for them to put their faith and knowledge into practice by loving their neighbors. But that work can't be done on our own. We need to partner with other believers who are just as passionate to see God's Kingdom made known here.

We know it is a sacrifice to give financially. And it isn't something we take lightly. But if we all could see with Kingdom eyes, we would see that whether we give a little or a lot God takes that gift and multiplies it in ways we never could have done on our own.

There is a lot we want to do this year to bless, help, encourage, and challenge the communities that we've built relationships with. So we do ask, that you would prayerfully consider both praying for us and supporting the Christmas fundraisers through a one time gift.

What We Are Planning For December

1 - Supplies for Children's Education

(pictures from last year in Takao province)

During this year and especially since Covid-19 came we have been building a relationship with an elderly couple and their neighbors. They live in a community just down the street from us that is the image of poverty in Cambodia. The elderly couple shares a hut with 4 other families and their children. This hut is the size of an average American living room.

Since getting to know them and their community we have come to realize that the children of the area (and there are many) have a great need. There is a non-profit school nearby that the children can attend, but only if they have the school supplies needed. Very simple things like pencils, pens, paper, and a uniform. But almost each child in the area is unable to attend because they lack these basic needs.

During December we have been invited into the community by this elderly couple to share God's love with their neighbors. It is our intention to be able to provide a backpack filled with school supplies for each child in the neighborhood, as well as a bag of rice for each family. This will be the largest event of the season with over 80 children in the area and around 30 families.

2 - Birthday Party for Jesus

Each year we work to build relationships with the neighborhood we live in. Throughout the year the students and our family do different activities to encourage these relationships. Activities such as English events for children, bbq in the neighborhood, ect.. But the biggest and most anticipated event is the "Birthday party for Jesus."

Christmas is a holiday that is foreign to most Cambodians. What they know of Christmas they see on tv, in movies, or on youtube. So when we celebrate with our community we celebrate it as it really is, the birthday party of Jesus! We have games, activities, cake and icecream. We share the story of Jesus' birth and then we sing happy birthday to Him. It is one of the sweetest moments of the year.

3 - Student's Surprise Gift/Christmas Party

Each year we try and have some kind of gift to give to the students. This year we are in need of new mattresses for the students' beds. They are simple foam mattresses and are good for about a year, but in time they wear thin and they become uncomfortable to sleep on. The students never complain but the current mattresses are about 2 1/2 years old and it is time to replace them.

We also will have a community Christmas party for our students. It is another chance for us to celebrate the community that God has brought together and the birth of our King!

As always, we are so overwhelmed by all the love and support we receive throughout the year. This is God's ministry and yet He has humbly allowed all of us (whether the senders or the one sent) to be a part of what He is doing. To God be the glory!

How To Give

Click on the image to take you to Fir Road Christian Church's online giving platform. Once there you will be able to choose Becks-to-Cambodia. Please indicate it is a one time donation. (All donations are tax-deductible)