The nativity scene above was the first stop on the Gardere Christmas Journey enjoyed by about 200 Gardere residents Sunday evening. As they “took the journey” they heard the Good News of God’s provision of the Savior and how they could receive forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name! At the end of their journey they were able to enjoy a bowl of hot gumbo and talk with one of the volunteers who served at the outreach about what they had seen and heard.

The cold rains of Friday and Saturday slowed us down, making preparations and publicity for this outreach difficult. Sunday, however, the weather was great and we had a really good time with people from the Gardere neighborhood. I saw a lot of wonderful interaction going on between the volunteers and our guests and I know God was at work. Here is what one woman who volunteered wrote to me in an email yesterday:

“My children and I got to spend time with an 11 year old boy we will call Michael. I’m certain he was one reason God burdened us to go. It was good for our boys in particular to connect with a young boy their age who is growing up in different circumstances than their own.

Michael was there by himself. He had come on his own and seemed so excited. As it grew darker and colder, I asked him if he had a jacket and he said he did not. I happened to have a sweatshirt in the back of our car so I gave it to Michael. I told him it was God’s provision and told him that God cares about him. I encouraged him to remember God’s provision every time he wears his new sweatshirt.

I have no idea what kind of environment Michael went home to. I hope he didn’t get in trouble for the sweatshirt, but hopefully he will remember, not us, but being cared for by God through us.”

Seventy to eighty volunteers from several different churches worked together to prepare for and host this outreach. Sixty-Aid Baptist, El Aposento Alto, and Living Word were key churches and the ones that supplied the actors for the scenes from the life of Christ.

Thank you for praying as we prepared for this outreach! Please continue to pray that folks who saw God’s love and who need the Lord will respond to Him. Please pray they would be moved to seek the Him through one of the churches in the area.

I hope this Christmas will be a meaningful time of worship and celebration for you and your family!

Clayton Hays

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