C R O S S F I R E
C H R I S T M A S 2017

“…I bring you good news of great joy…”

“I would brag to people that you had taken me to the grocery store and let me pick out anything I wanted. Having a chance to be part of a different world as a child revealed a life that was foreign to all I had ever known. When I fell, you were there… I could have been alone, but I wasn’t. When I hurt, you were there. You were the light in darkness. You gave me hope. The life I live now compared to how things most likely would have been – you made the difference.”

“I asked myself why they were willing to waste their time where there was no hope. But they became my spiritual family…. How can I thank someone that has never judged me or tossed me aside for being fatherless? How can I thank someone who has always been there for me? My Lion’s Den family…. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the birthday parties. Thank you for the great trips. Thank you for the prayers. You have taught His Word to those that are broken hearted, lost, and fatherless.”

What does good news of great joy look like to children living in the grip of poverty? It looks like hope; it looks like groceries; it looks like comfort and trust; it looks like birthday parties and new shoes; it looks like safety; it looks like prayer; it looks like light in the darkness; it looks like a Christmas stocking full of goodies; it looks like unconditional love. It looks like Jesus.

One of my heroes of the faith, Jackie Pullinger, a missionary to Hong Kong, said, “I went up to a man and said, ‘Jesus loves you.' But I realized that it didn’t mean anything unless I did it.”

The angel announced, “I bring you good news of great joy….” When a kid walks through the door at CROSSFIRE and becomes involved with the ministry, the announcement may not be audible, but the atmosphere is tangible to them. They have just stepped into good news of great joy that can change the trajectory of their life as they experience relationships and opportunities that were previously foreign to them.

The annual tradition of hanging stockings at the Lion's Den has taken place. Decorations are up at the Lighthouse. We always want to make the holidays a time of great joy for the kids of CROSSFIRE. The sting of poverty can be extra painful this time of year. But we do all we can to provide gifts, fun, field trips, celebration and opportunities through the season. And the story of the birth of Jesus, the Savior, will be shared. We will tell them of His love for them and bring them good news of great joy.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have made it possible through the years for CROSSFIRE to bring life changing joy to the poor and fatherless. We can certainly use your help now in providing Christmas gifts and blessings for our ministry children. Please consider a holiday or end-of-year financial gift to CROSSFIRE.

For your convenience, you can text to give: text CROSSFIREKIDS to 77977. Or send a contribution to the mailing address below. Thank you!

We pray that GREAT JOY will surround you and your loved ones this Christmas season.

Lanell Armstrong – on behalf of the Crossfire kids, staff, and Board of Directors