DONT STOP READING (The details of our Big Christmas Max Caroling Trip on Dec. 13 is at the end of this blog)!
Our church was rocking last night. At 6:30 we had about 100 people viewing art and waiting for the food bars to open (4 tables of very heavenly food - high calorie-burns off quick because of the intense excitement!). By 7:15 we had 250 people; the tables were full, the chairs around two walls were full and a whole bunch were standing, eating, laughing and enjoying a very beautifully decorated auditorium (8 walls of art! Three beautiful trees! Lights! And did I mention the food - I think it was created by the Next Iron Chef! :)
The live music was Killer and having two well known artists show up was way cool. Seven NW Artists were represented -about $25,000 worth the art! Ron Jones was a big hit. Ron and his wife Sara serve at our Battle Ground campus. Ron directs the 6th Street Gallery in downtown Vancouver. The response to his work was great. Audrey Carson's Glow-in-the Dark exhibit was fun (5 pieces sold). I'm not sure how much money was raised for our India trip (All the artist's are donating 30-50% of the sales price to our India trip in January). We also raised $600 for local families that need help this Christmas; all from the silent auction of our Christmas ornaments! Wow! Someone bought the Huskies dog ornament before I could -DOG! Isaac got his Duck's ornament and I did get a Husky Christmas ball.
After Santa had mingled, had a bunch of kids, and a beautiful woman sit on his knee (Adam isn't a woman but he got to sit on Santa's lap and get his mug shot . . . did you see it?), we sang, along with Adam, some favorite Christmas Carols. Then the lights faded and the Video clip from Jody Foster's movie Contact began (well the sound track started first and the video tried to play catch-up a bit later . . . oh well . . .). Then out of darkness two spot lights highlighted a cradle with Marty and Tina's little baby Colt (about 3 weeks old) cooing and instantly capturing our hearts. Walking across the stage, picking up this tiny blue-eyed baby boy so touched my heart. Four of our prayer team warriors huddled in the dark, just off the stage, praying their hearts out (Thanks Ben, Kathy, Lynn and Joan). For the next 13 minutes I shared about the vulnerable, no-holds-barred gift of God - Himself, coming down and giving us Forever-love.
I shared about our East Vancouver members Julie and Jimmy and their eight year old son. Julie had a blood pressure of 30 for several hours and the doctors told me Tuesday morning she might not pull through. The respirator that kept her alive, and the prayers of her husband, so remind me that there is nothing with real lasting value, except knowing that God is LOVE! Jimmy has been off Meth for almost two years. His wife Julie, who is a Quad/Paraplegic, had asked to be baptized at our last Baptismal Sunday. She has open wounds that aren't healing. Julie became diabetic after her car crash that left her paralyzed in 1992. We were waiting for medical permission before baptizing her.
The doctors told Jimmy and me that if Julie made it she might have brain damage and her liver could be damaged. "She is a very sick" said the doctor, "we just don't know if she will make it." When I showed up Wednesday morning Julie's body had made a miracle turn-around. She was able to nod her head when we asked her questions. Jimmy is busy moving between his wife's room and her mother's (She went in at the same time as Julie with pneumonia and was across the hall in ICU). Both Mom and daughter have improved. Julie and Jimmy's little boy Josh is missing his momma but doing good. This is one of the families we will bless this Christmas with gifts, love, and a lot more prayers (It's so inspiring to see our prayer team reach out to this family). Julie's dad who doesn't go to church told his wife (She gets out of the hospital today or tomorrow) he wants to meet me.
NOW THIS IS COOL - As I finished sharing I prayed that just ONE gift would rise up in every one of our hearts - JESUS! In the dark of a wonderful Christmas evening show, 13 people raised their hands to affirm they had just prayed to accept Jesus ! This made the hundreds of hours of work, by so many people (Andrea, Darlena, Kathy and her Hulk-handsome man Morrie, Michelle, Chelyncia, Duane, Don, Ron Jones, Audrey and about twenty-five more cooks, cleaners, shoppers (I know I forgot some key players - sorry) SO, SO WORTH IT ALL!!
We had so many of our members bring friends - All of heaven was smiling, dancing (So U think you can dance, winning choreographed numbers! There were some really happy Angels last night), and saying over and over "This IS what really counts!" Even if just ONE person had come last night and accepted Jesus as their Forever-Friend it was worth it for me!
I'm so proud to be part of a church like Living Hope! Thank you for valuing this way of reaching more people for Jesus! It was so much fun. Seeing new volunteers cleaning up last night (10 p.m.) was very inspiring (Oh I almost forgot, Angela Taylor and her studly men (Tom and Jeremy) so poured themselves into helping. Andrea was working while sick, and Butch was our Master of Ceremony; he also ran our Video and lights booth (Then he flew out very early this morning for Japan - what a dedicated worker for God!). Another couple who helped out last night flew out this morning to Hawaii. I can't think of anything else I would rather burn out, give out, put out and invest in than the ministry of loving people with a Jesus love that is changing their lives. I shared Colossians 4:14 with our guests last night: "And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love." Take some time this week to read I John 4 (especially verse 7-11, 16-18).
Two final words about last night: ONLY GOD!
NOW- a few details about Dec. 13:
We are leaving on the Max train (Airport station by IKEA and Star Bucks) at 3 p.m. (be at Star Bucks by 2:30 p.m.) to Christmas Carol until we land at Pioneer Square!
1) U don't have to sing to join us! It's so much fun (Santa's a big flirt, the candy canes bring smiles to those on the train . . . I've even seen people cry and thank us when we sing).
2) When we arrive at Pioneer Square we will be met with coats and food that we can share with homeless friends who will so see Jesus in us - this is so, so rewarding (dress warm and bring our smiles!)
3) After about 20 min of sharing coats and food we will take pictures by the big tree, then go over to the mall and view the Ginger Bread house competition (and drop in Sharper Image store :)
4) You can hang out and play with us as long as you like (If you need to be a work by 5 a.m. you should be able to catch the max back and be in bed by 8:15 p.m. easy - even earlier if you like :)
5) What to bring? Money for the Max. Warm clothes, 16 oz of H20, and your most festive Christmas spirit! Questions or ideas - Bruce.lhceast@gmail.com.
