Letter from the Executive Director – Advent 2019
God is “all-in” for loving us!
Ambridge, PA
Villagers like this woman in Nepal will have access to two new products that will provide clean water and reliable, safe light. These will be distributed through the local Anglican church. Read about this unique initiative here.
Dear ARDF Friend,
It is that time of year when we joyfully anticipate the birth of Christ. We look forward to hearing the stories of baby Jesus, his parents, the three wise men, shepherds, and the birth in a manger. At the time, this was a barnyard event and not front-page news! But Jesus’s birth is a big event today – worldwide!
It’s one of God’s paradoxes that something small might be very large indeed! Jesus himself looked at this paradox in Luke 21:1-2.
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
That poor widow was “all in” supporting her spiritual life. The rich men supported the Temple’s spiritual life with only a token amount of their incomes. The widow might have been desperate, but she trusted in God and wanted to do as much as she could. The rich folks, while they gave much more, apparently did not trust in God as much as the poor widow did.
The birth of a poor Jesus more than 2,000 years ago demonstrates that God is “all in” for loving us and redeeming us. This baby Jesus is the biggest thing that ever happened to planet Earth. God is “all in” by loving His creation through this gift of eternal life through Jesus. Can anyone think of a greater gift to humankind, ever?
At ARDF we are fortunate to receive both small and large gifts and we are grateful for any size donation. There are many worthwhile mission fields that need tending for the love of Christ. When ARDF receives your gift, we know that it is a demonstration of your commitment to love and serve God. We also know that what really matters is trusting in the generosity of God.
It’s your commitment to Christ and your love of Christ that we really value, as ARDF’s global reach strengthens communities in the developing world through the local church. We remember that Jesus says it is better to give than to receive. The poor widow shows us how to trust in God’s generosity and in what spirit to give.
Please join us in giving through ARDF this Advent.
ARDF wishes a Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. May the Lord bless your special times together this Advent.
Serving the least through the love of Christ,
Blessings,
Canon William (Bill) Deiss, Executive Director
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