CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2012 From Around the World

Dear Ones,

Here we are~in December!  How the year has flown by!  But God has faithfully kept each one of us. Let us be reminded of His unconditional Love, His unwavering commitment to each of us, and His steadfast Grace to carry and see us through any situation or circumstance that we may find ourselves in.  Hallelujah to the Only One who is Worthy of all our praise and adoration!  It’s Christmas!  The time we remember that LOVE HIMSELF came down to walk among us.  Love came down to thrill our hearts and fill our souls with Divine connection and reason and purpose that is only found in HIM.  Ola and I were talking the other day, and he made a statement: “If you asked a hundred people on the street what Christmas meant to them, you would be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 that would say Jesus.”  I thought long about his statement, and Christmas has so many wonderful pieces in my heart, but they all boil down to Love! It is that Steadfast Love that I found when Jesus came into my heart as a teenager, and that same Steadfast Love that has stayed with me through all these years.  It is His Love that beckons, whispers, and woos my heart day and night.  Likewise, His Love propels Heart and Hands to stretch and reach, and give.  His love constrains us to go, to be available at odd hours, and to keep pressing into the Call of Christ to be all that He has ordained us to be!  It is His Love that makes Christmas so special in so many ways… and I pray that you discover, or rediscover some of those beautiful, even simplistic joys of the Christmas Season.  Savor the smiles around the table, the laughter, the sharing of hearts and homes.  Remember those in bonds and in danger for their Faith in Christ and say a prayer for them and give thanks that America is still the land of the free.  Revel in the contentment of not needing one more thing, but just being happy to be alive and experiencing the joy of family and freedom and HIS Presence.  My heart is so full and all of you are part of that fullness and reason for thanksgiving, for you are such a blessing.  Thank you!

Here now are Christmas Greetings and Love from abroad:

Rev. Olu in Nigeria

Hallelujah! We thank the Lord for the privilege given us to serve Him in the year 2012. Although we would love to do more than we could do, but nonetheless we are ever so honoured!  The challenge of missions in Africa, UK and elsewhere in the world is thickening daily and we are constrained to carry out the Great Commission! We daily count on the faithful One who called us into His service.   Thank you so much for your continual support for Heart & Hands Ministries' services across the globe. We appreciate and are encouraged by you all the time. Your labour shall not be lost. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year of abiding fruits in Jesus' name. Shalom!   IN HIS HOUSE,  Olufunso J. Omidiran,  Ibandan, Nigeria

Pastor Joshua in Nigeria

I wish all friends, sons and partners of Mama Nancy and all men of good will, PEACE at Christmas. May you experience ETERNAL WHOLENESS because of Christmas.  Pastor Joshua Nwokedi, Living Ambassadors Church and Ministry  Abuja,Nigeria

Bishop Sam Ocheja in Nigeria

The year 2012 is gradually winding to an end. We cannot but remember those who have specially touched our lives and ministry like Mama Nancy Minor and the entire Heart and Hands Ministry U.S.A. We wish you a peaceful, blessed and most fulfilling Christmas season.May you continue to be instruments of communicating God's grace and love to this dying world.  Thanks for your impact in our lives. We love you. Happy Christmas!  Bishop Sam D. Ocheja.  Spirit of Life Ministry and Green Pastures Assembly, Abuja Nigeria

Pastor Gordon, Uganda

 Hello and Greetings!   We are about to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. He was born that we may be forgiven our sins and be reconciled with the God the Father of lights.  CHRISTMAS is a day that we celebrate and will want all people to celebrate. Yes, we are celebrating Christmas as remembrance that truly Christ was born and lived here on earth 2000 years ago. He lived as man and suffered all that we suffered so that He may redeem us.

I and my family wish to extend our love to the people out there that may you have a great Christmas season May it be a blessing to you.  May what God meant for humanity, be realized in your life in Jesus Name.  Truly, celebration means to rejoice and be happy. This season is to be a season of celebration and it’s my prayer that it will be good to you.  Million blessings.

 Yours Truly, Pastor Gordon Andera and Mrs Irene Andera, our children and the Fresh Oil Missions Church family in Kajjansi, Uganda

INDIA

Dear mummy,  It's a great pleasure to wish all our friends and partners to have a great Christmas and a happy and joyful New year.  I thank you all for your heartfelt prayers and support for the work of the Lord in India.  May the Lord our God, bless you with all the blessings in the year to come.  Lord's, Titus & Family 

City of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, So. India

Pakistan

Dear Partners and believers, I want to greet all of you with the greatest Christmas Greetings with the Messianic Prophecy by Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. ...

We are so much thank full to Father for sending  His Son Jesus to save us all from the darkness and eternal death and  bringing us into the Glory of the His Father through Him. For me in Pakistan the Christmas is the most powerful event as it really gives me the reason and excuse to speak to the people of Pakistan when they question me " What is Christmas" , "why do you Celebrate it" and " What unique thing happened at this time"  but it also gives me opportunity to ask my self why did Jesus came and become human being. And when I think of this question immediately I become conscious of all of my sins and sins of my forefathers upon me and their plenty upon my life. but Praise the Lord Jesus came to save not only me but to whole world through His eternal sacrifice and everlasting Love.  And I also remember the New commandemant Lord Jesus has given to us ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 3:34)". So please spread His love and share His love and Blessing with each other and especially to the poor, hated, deprived ones.  God Bless you.  Brother S P, Pakistan

Pastor Ben in UGANDA

Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Blessings and Love from Kampala-Uganda.  May the Lord crown this year with great victories for all of you.  I pray for the joy of our salvation to be renewed.  Christmas is a time of thinking about How Much He loved and still loves us, therefore no matter what you are going thru, He loves you and He will grant you the desires of your hearts.  Merry Christmas for [to] all the WISE men and WOMEN who seek Him even today.  Joy to the world!!!.  Love Ben & family  Jesus Christian Centre and all her branches.

Pastor Ola from London

Christmas is a time of new beginnings, a time to stop pause and contemplate the wonderful package sent from heaven with a 

"special delivery'  label on it! The wrapping was ordinary, not so the gift, 

the gift was extraordinary in every way.  So many people miss the real Christmas gift because the wrapping looks ordinary, not flashy or extravagant.   It ’s not found in the bottom of a wine glass, or in that extra mince pie!  The “real” Christmas gift is found in the Presence of God; lingering that extra moment, “just because!”  Now that's a heaven sent gift!  

Christmas signifies many things!  One of those significant things is this; Access into His Presence because of the birth of God’s son!  That God would allow his beloved son to leave Heaven and step into time and all the  limitations that the human shell has, is as my teenage son calls it, "DEEP."  Steal yourself away this Christmas and linger in His Presence, "Just Because."  Christmas Greetings from Pastor Ola & Adele Oceans.    (AKA Mama's Children)

Merry Christmas!
Love,
Nancy, Tom and the Board