Mission Moment 12.14.22

 Rick Sample

CBF Field Personnel in Fremont, CA

Heavenly Father, the events during the summer of 2021 in Afghanistan were devastating for the Afghan people just as they were heart-wrenching for all of us who watched them unfold in real time, televised live for all the world to see. Even as I (Rick) prayed daily during the actual evacuation from Kabul Airport, I knew that many of those same Afghan refugees would end up in my community here in Fremont, California. I thank you, dear Lord, for preparing Lita and me for the arrival of those refugees through our 20 years of presence among Afghan refugees in the San Francisco Bay Area. When Afghan refugees, embattled from fleeing a war zone and bewildered because of uncertain travel issues, began arriving last fall in California, I thank you that we were ready to meet them—ready to be the welcoming presence they so desperately needed and ready to meet some of their overwhelming needs. 

Even now, I pray for them. 

I lift my prayer for the families who left behind loved ones, including those who had to leave behind spouses, parents, or even children. I pray for those Afghans who have already lost beloved relatives and for those who are frantically worried about loved ones who remain trapped in Afghanistan with an uncertain future and dwindling hope of ever making it out to join them here in America. 

I lift my prayer to you for the families whom I know that were actually on the tarmac that terrible day as bombs exploded at the airport—as they witnessed the carnage which they cannot forget and for the PTSD that stays with them day-after-day.

I pray for the children, now struggling in school to make up for lost learning and trying to master the English language; I pray for their parents who are muddling through the first year as refugees in America while trying to create a happy new life for those dear children. 

For the Afghan church, small as it is, I pray for growth; and I pray that many Afghans will come to faith in Christ. I pray for this Afghan church’s pastor and its leadership as they work tirelessly to bring the gospel to their compatriots. 

Lord, bring healing. 

Bring physical healing for those suffering medically and bring emotional healing to the many Afghans who are suffering mentally, particularly the children. Bring social healing to a people group fractured by distrust of each other and by gossip about each other. I pray that the Holy Spirit will open many Afghan hearts to receive the love of Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen.

Pray...Give...Go.

Church on a Minivan

Francesca Street, a travel correspondent for CNN, asks the theologically rich and existentially stirring question that will gnaw at us for days:

"What do you do when your evening flight is canceled, you really need to be somewhere in the morning and there are no other available flights?"

Stranded in the Orlando International Airport with zero options to get to Knoxville on a Sunday evening, one passenger had an idea. Michelle Miller wondered if other grounded travelers from her flight would join her in renting a 15-passenger mini-van to drive to their final destination. As it turns out, 13 very different people--and their luggage--elected to take the risk.

Road trip, anyone? 

"Michelle Miller was set to present at a conference in Knoxville on Tuesday. Carlos Cordero and Laura Puckering were taking their 17-year-old daughter Mikayla Puckering to tour the University of Tennessee. One passenger was heading to a custody battle. Someone else was helping a friend move to Mexico. Others just wanted to get home."

In contrast to the number of flight options into Knoxville (that would be zero), some travelers could rent a van on the spot, load up, and head north through the night. 

Alanah Story, a twentysomething college student who began documenting their road trip on TikTok, was delighted by how their shared need to get somewhere brought a diverse group of people together. 

"If I thought that this was crazy, I knew other people might think it's crazy also," Alanah tells CNN Travel. "And so I just figured, this is a very unique bunch of people, we're all very different. So I don't know, maybe other people would want to see it too, because things like this just don't happen on the regular."

When the mini-van pulled motored north, the passengers numbered off and made a plan for each person to drive for a couple of hours. Some tried to get some sleep as they drove through the night, while others talked about "their lives, families, and jobs." For those who were upfront, they kept each other awake by telling each other about themselves. One passenger, a minister, shared his story about his work in the church. 

And as they did, millions watched the videos Alanah uploaded to TikTok and commented about their journey together. 

They joked. They got punch-drunk. They had a blast. 

"We all were so different. And I think a big part of why people like it so much is because you could literally see our differences in real time," says Alanah.

"We were like a big dysfunctional family," says Michelle. "It was fun."

Stop me if this sounds familiar, but this sounds like church. 

"Everybody was so awesome. It almost went too perfect," says Carlos. "There was no traffic. Everyone got along, everyone pitched in. It was just seamless."

"It took collective effort. Everybody really had their own thing going on. But everybody cared about one another's ventures and responsibilities."

Ultimately, the passengers all reached their destination and could keep their commitments. One passenger reflected, "I take away the fact that there are some really good people in this world. We were all different cultures, we were different backgrounds. It couldn't have gotten more perfect. So I don't have any regrets. No regrets whatsoever."

Jesus once gathered a strange and diverse group of people to join him on a road trip that would change the world. Along the way, they experienced joy because they had company as they traveled with Jesus. 

Today, we may not be riding down a highway to our destination in the dark of night. But our pews sure do look a lot like the seats on a mini-van. 

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This story about airline passengers taking a road trip together to reach their final destination was reported by CNN's Francesca Street, with the headline: "13 Stranded Strangers Went on a Road Trip. Here's What Happened." It was published online at 11:26 AM on December 7, 2022. 

Youth Newsletter

Click HERE to view the spring youth newsletter!

Giving the Jesus Way

United Christian Ministries is in need of  pasta sauce, ramen, pancake syrup, applesauce (6-pack individual cups), and laundry detergent. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!

Thank You, Carpet Cleaners!

We are so very grateful for our team of men who cleaned the carpet in our Mission and Fellowship Center this past week. The carpets look great! Thank you! 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Begin your family’s Christmas celebration with the story of Christ’s birth! Join us on December 24th for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Come early at 5:00 PM to light a candle in the windows in memory of a loved one and to hear Christmas music before the service. Then, beginning at 5:30 PM, our family-friendly service will capture the wonder of Christmas with familiar carols, the retelling of the Christmas story, and the glow of candlelight. Afterward, gather your family in front of our beautifully decorated Christmas tree for a classic holiday photo. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lifelong memories with your entire family!

Hot Baked Curried Fruit

This classic southern Hot Baked Curried Fruit recipe features canned fruits baked
to perfection in a rich butter, brown, sugar, and curry mixture.

Ingredients
30 ounces canned pineapple chunks, drained
15 ounces canned pear halves, drained
15 ounces canned peach halves, drained
15 ounces canned apricot halves, drained
10 ounces maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon curry powder (McCormick brand) or 1 tablespoon chili powder
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Allow all the fruits to drain very well in a colander.  Layer the fruits in a 9”x13” baking dish.  

In a small saucepan over medium heat. combine the brown sugar, curry (or chili) powder, and butter.  Heat until the butter and sugar are completely melted.  Pour over fruit and mix lightly taking care not to break the fruit.  

Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.  

Leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.  Serves 8.

–Provided by Jennie Hunter

Hot Baked Curried Fruit

Click here to download a printable version. Recipe provided by Jennie Hunter.

Hurray for Our Nursery Workers of the Week!

Special thanks to 1st Explorers staff members Ally Lima and Jan Snotherly for being in charge of the nursery on December 11th.  We appreciate you both for stepping up at the last minute!

On December 18th, Jonathan and Jordyn Sessoms will be in the nursery.  Thank you for helping.

There is still room on the schedule to serve “the least of these”
on Sunday mornings.  It is a blessing to see their smiles and enthusiasm as you spend
time with our infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. 
Please contact Cheryl Beck (cabeck@ncsu.edu) if you would like to help.

The CDC Recommends That You Wear a Mask Indoors

Join Us for Worship!

Join us for worship on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary! Also join us for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. for all ages!

The CDC recommends that you wear a mask indoors.
Maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.

Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.