'Tis the Season...For Giving!

By Betty Barnett

Giving appropriate gifts is a wonderful, tangible expression of generosity, love, and the desire to bless others. Proverbs 18:16 says, “Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!” (NLT) Any time is a right time to send a gift, especially when the Lord gives us a nudge. But it is especially timely at Christmas...'tis the season for giving!

Each year, I ask the Lord for guidance about Christmas gifts for my friends who support my ministry. I watch for appropriate items that my mission organization sells and select different gifts each year. I often put together a gift bag representing my year of ministry with a note enclosed describing each item’s significance. I look for things that will remind my friends of their partnership with me and also will be a spiritual blessing to them, such as books or CD's. Small, colorful local gifts that impart the flavor of the culture I've worked in that year help my supporters feel a part of my ministry experience. This year, I'm making plaques of commendation, honoring those who have supported me in missions work for many years. Each one will be personalized and relatively easy to make, using calligraphy type styles with computer software. I trust that they will be meaningful keepsakes for each of my dear friends who have co-labored with me through thick and thin.

In writing this article, I wanted a fresh perspective from a long-time missions supporter and was able to interview a dear friend. Along with her husband, she has helped various missionaries and mission projects over the years. Her comments deeply reinforced my belief that gifts from missionary workers to their ministry partners have great significance. When I asked about what she had received from those she supported, the first thing she mentioned as a “gift” was in relation to letters from those in ministry. She said they affirmed her in knowing she is part of their ministry. Regarding tangible gifts, she expressed surprise: “I'm truly amazed to get them. I don't expect them. It makes me feel appreciated...you know there has been a real effort, thoughtfulness, and sacrifice. We all like to be affirmed, especially when you have a dull job at home, and you realize that you're still impacting the Kingdom.” She then pointed to a beautiful burgundy Indian tapestry on her living room wall, “Last summer I saw a couple we've supported for years in their missions work in India. Out of necessity, I was considering tightening my belt, cutting back my support to them, but it touched my heart that they were so loving. That wall hanging they gave me was their way of honoring me, which I didn't expect. You know you're not just a check they've received in the mail – there's a relationship that means so much. And now, every time I look at that tapestry, it reminds me to pray for them.” (And no, she did not cut back her support!)

Her comments reminded me that as we encourage and strengthen one another, whether we are “senders” or those who are “sent,” we're linking arms together in God's work. Our relationships with those involved with our ministry is through our fellowship with them, our letters to them, and our gifts to them. Gifts touch lives – they impact and impress us in many ways, and as my friend said, they affirm us. They encourage us to keep on doing good, to be generous and active in our part of God's Kingdom expanding on this earth. May we become great gift givers, especially in this Christmas season!

DECEMBER 2011

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This Month's
SRS Article Writer

Second Opinion by
Rex Barber

I love giving small gifts, and I believe they are well received. On my international travels, I keep a sharp lookout for small flat (easy to mail) overseas bargains, which will not only bless my support team, but also the local people. Last month, I was in Thailand staying with our team in a Christian guest house, and in the lobby was a small case of Christmas cards, necklaces, and small purses, most for under $3. They were all handmade by young Burmese women that were making a living after leaving their past lives as prostitutes. I bought most of their display as my gifts for this year.

In Kenya last summer, a local artisan came to the door with nice wood carvings, including one of a man with a broken arm in a white cast (this was a hospital project we were serving) – it was the perfect gift for one of my doctor supporters.

My favorite gift story took place on that same project trip to Kenya. That artisan also had five beautiful soapstone carvings of the Christmas nativity. I bought them all, wrapping each in bubble wrap. Last December, I mailed that Kenyan gift to my friends and mission partners, Webb & Jane. A few days later Jane phoned, “Rex, I want to tell you how special that Nativity set was to us. As you know, Webb has been without work since May and it’s been a tough year. But there are people much worse off than us and a few days ago we gave our personal nativity to a family that was having a tough time. Yesterday we received your gift and it was like the Lord was saying it’s going to be all right and I’ll take care of you. Thank you so much!” Merry Christmas!!
 

Rex is a staff architect & team leader at EMI (Engineering Ministries Int’l). He leads volunteer teams of design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors) on short-term mission trips designing hospitals, schools, churches, orphanages, and more with international partner ministries that are already making a difference. He has traveled to over thirty different countries; most are third world or developing countries. This is his tenth year on staff at EMI.

Betty Barnett YWAM	Ellis Goldstein Campus Crusade	Scott Morton The Navigators	Mike Riggins North American Mission Board	Steve Shadrach SRS Editor The Bodybuilders

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