Dear Friends and Partners,

My precious ten year old daughter, Victoria, pulled my wife, Vickie, aside recently to ask, “Mommy, are you going to die?”

We had just returned home from the funeral of a wonderful, godly mother of two children who had passed away. Since my wife has been ill for an extended period of time, Victoria wanted to know if her mommy was OK. Vickie reassured Victoria that she was not planning on dying in the near future, and my daughter had peace and hope again.

The transparency and honest thoughts of a child can teach us adults a thing or two. Jesus Himself encourages us to “become like little children.”  The desire of my heart is that I can be as honest and transparent with Jesus as my daughter was with her Mother.

Last week I was in an orphanage, a place where the children have no moms or dads. Within ten minutes of my arrival, I was sitting in a chair in the dining room and two four-year-old boys backed up to me desiring to be held. As I placed both boys on my lap, my heart broke, knowing if I hadn't been there at that moment, those boys more than likely wouldn't have had anyone to hold them that day, that week, or perhaps that year. Our ability to extend hope to others in this world is critical as ambassadors of Christ.

Of course, our true hope is in Jesus. My daughter’s trust in her Mom not dying is ultimately tied to her hope in Jesus. The only lasting and long-term hope I have for the two little boys at the orphanage is my hope in Jesus. He is the Father to the fatherless.

The JESUS Film Harvest Partner ministry has brought hope in Jesus to thousands of people during 2008. As a Partner who receives this note from me each month, I want you to know your continued prayers for each person who sees and hears about Jesus, the hope of the world, through the JESUS Film are effectual and are helping make a difference. You are bringing hope to the world!

"Thank you, Father, for giving us hope in Jesus that we can share with a hopeless world. It is pure joy to be a part of Your life and to know that thousands are learning daily around the globe about the birth of Jesus by watching the Gospel of Luke, brought to life in over 1,000 languages, through the JESUS Film. May You draw each one who sees and hears JESUS to You, and grant them the hope of eternal life as we remain faithful to the Great Commission. In Jesus name, Amen."

Merry Christmas,

                               

Chuck Watson
Director of Strategic Relationships
chuckwatson@JFHP.org
817-427-4900

P.S. - If you would like to experience a JESUS Film Partner Trip, please join us on one of the upcoming trips! These trips are a great opportunity to personalize missions and experience the ministry first hand.

• Dominican Republic ARK Shelter Trip - Dates: February 21-28, 2009; Cost: $725 Double or $875 Single + airfare; Team Leader: Darrell Leber, Hosts: Bud & Janet Welch, Country Hosts: Dan Lepley & Julio Sosa.
  
• Bangladesh Dates: March 7-23, 2009; Cost: $775 Double or $950 Single + airfare; Team Leader: Chuck Watson, Host: Ron Salsbury, Country Hosts: Ron Gilbert & Hermann Gschwandter.
• Nicaragua Dates: April 16-21, 2009; Cost: $775 Double or $975 Single + airfare; Team Leader: Chuck Watson; Country Host: Bernie Slingerland.
• Senegal ARK Shelter Trip - Dates: August 14-22, 2009; Cost: TBA; Team Leader: Darrell Leber, Country Host: Tim Eby.
  
• Zambia - Dates: September 3-12, 2009; Cost: $1,600 Double or $2,000 Single + airfare; Team Leader: Chuck Watson, Hosts: Dr. Ray & Elaine Cook, Country Host: Gary Sidle.