Dear Donors,
Last Christmas, we were abundantly blessed by Called to Peace Ministries (CTPM).
We have received cards, letters, presents, gift cards, and checks every Christmas for the last six years. Though humbling, receiving support was normal because I was a career overseas missionary.
I would never have thought I would still be getting support this year. The realization of a destructive marriage crushed my dream to continue as a missionary. Within a few months, I turned from a career missionary to a single mom.
Then I got a package in the mail for CTPM: an ornament, a Christmas card, and a $150 gift card.
It was all so familiar, except that I was not receiving these gifts according to my work for Christ but according to who I was: a single mom in need and a vulnerable survivor of domestic abuse.
It was humbling yet so beautiful.
I wish I could update you on churches being planted among the unreached or a Chief from an indigenous tribe becoming a Christian, but I know this will not happen. However, you will hear from us about how God carries us through the most unspeakably painful trials and never forsakes us; you will listen to stories about how God redeems us and turns our mourning into dancing. It is all because He promised us so.
Thank you very much for loving us the way Christ loves us, not because of what we do but because of who we are.
CTPM encouraged us to start anew by creating traditions with the generous support you have given us. I also appreciate your love, care, and compassion through your action, and I want my children to understand it too. I told my four children that CTPM blessed us with a gift card, so they could have money to bless their siblings just like the supporters blessed us.
I took each of them out for a shopping date to use part of the gift card amount to pick out gifts for one of their siblings. They all enjoyed some special attention from mommy during our shopping dates.
Then each had a special “secret time” wrapping the presents for their siblings. We love this tradition, and they all love the gifts they received from their siblings. I hope they will experience “It is more blessed to give than receive.” We have had this tradition for a few years since we used to get gifts from churches. I would never have thought I could continue this tradition under the financial abuse from the children’s father.
But your generous support made it possible for us to continue this tradition. Words cannot express how thankful I am for all your help!
Because of your generous gifts, we each got $50 more than we were originally told. With the extra money, I practiced some self-care and went for a hayride to watch Christmas lights with my children and some friends. I always think Christmas lights are magical, and oh boy, I loved seeing the amazement in my children’s eyes and the joyful screams they let out during the hayride!
Thank you again, our friends, for going above and beyond to support us and make it possible for us to get the courage and financial resources to start anew in this season.
Your support truly reminds me of who I am in Christ and gives me hope in this darkest season of my life.
Sincerely,
“Cindy”
*Pictures of Christmas hayride provided by “Cindy”