As Christmas time nears, and the Festival of Lights arrives, which Jesus, Himself celebrated, (also known as Hanukkah), my thoughts turn to Light and sight.  Jesus said in John 8:12, that He is the Light of the World.  He brings hope in dark times, and causes blind eyes-eyes that see darkness – to SEE.  

Recently, I’ve had a first hand experience with the physical nature of this act.  For a couple of years now, my eyesight has been so poor that no optician seemed able to get my glasses or contact prescriptions correct.  It had gotten so bad, that I struggled to make out images that were a hundred yards away.  I finally was able to go see an ophthalmologist and she told me I had cataracts that were interfering, in both eyes (she told me an optometrist would have trouble seeing where these were, hence the lack of prior diagnosis).  Onto cataract surgery we went!!  My right eye was first, and a new lens for distance vision was given.  From the moment Wayne drove me home, I was completely astounded at what I could see!  Everything was unbelievable clear, and I could make out things so very far away, just perfectly!  When I looked out my window the next morning, I discovered how gorgeous the green pine trees outside our window were, how blue the sky was!  I was shocked at how bright and colorful EVERYTHING was!  Honestly, I had no idea what I had been missing, really for years, I was so used to seeing things a certain way.  

Mind you, I’ve had glasses since I was in 2nd grade, and contacts since 9th grade. Every eye doctor I’ve seen in recent years, when they see my prescription, tells me how sorry they are that my eyes are so bad. But I was just used to it. This is just how it was.

My second surgery was done 2 weeks after my 1st, and I was given a new lens for seeing things more closely (yes this can be done, if you’ve never heard of it).  Again, I’ve been shocked at how CLEAR I can read, and see things all around me – (even to the point of seeing how much more detailed I need to be when I clean the house – haha!).

To really summarize, I am completely astounded at how clear, beautiful and bright everything seems now, and I have been marveling, at how incredible GOD created our eyes, and how so many of us, with such brilliant eyesight, just miss out on that gift, because they’ve always had it.  New eyes! Eyes to truly see!  What an amazing concept!!

I realize that all those who don’t know Jesus, don’t know how brilliant and beautiful things can be.  They only see darkness, and they know very little hope, because they can’t see the true Light.  I feel like I’ve been given a real gift this holiday season. And I’d like to encourage you to remember, Jesus is the TRUE Light of the World; He came for us, and for others, to give us new eyes to see, new thoughts to think, new life!  As you walk among friends and families this Christmas, keep in mind that you, in fact, are also a light….shine brightly my friends….be brilliant….give hope….and know that GOD, Himself, our Creator, is FOR you, not against you, He is YOUR shining Light in the darkness!!!  

He truly, “opens the eyes of the blind” Ps. 146:8. 

For a nice Bible devotion, see also, Is. 42:7, Acts 26:18, Lk. 4:18-21, John 1:5

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah  and Happy New Year!  

Praise the LORD ON HIGH!!!

We just pushed our chairs back from our Thanksgiving meal time. Carol and I spent today at home in San Diego, just the two of us – much different than the last 3 years back in NC/Virginia with our families.  For the most part, over the years we have lived on the west coast, we’ve spent this day with close friends who were like our extended family, home away from home. This year, as we both recover from surgery (Carol – 2 cataract procedures and Wayne umbilical hernia), we were happy to rest, and certainly blessed, for all we have to be thankful for, including health insurance which provided for our recent health needs! The World Health Organization (WHO) says, “at least half the world’s population cannot obtain essential health services.” I would think the number would be greater knowing how densely populated third world countries like Mexico are, making it difficult to get accurate stats. 

We are truly blessed and never take for granted all that the Lord provides for us. And all that He is providing the folks we serve, thanks to YOU, and the great resources of food from organizations with which we are connected. I recently heard it said (though I can’t remember where), that proceeds from Black Friday sales alone, could provide clean water for all of the world where it is needed.  That hit close to home for me, as I know how precious water is in Tijuana, just 30 minutes from my front door. On many occasions, I have been in a friends house in TJ while their city water has been turned off for an unknown reason. It might be for 3 hours, 3 days, or 3 weeks. This is why most homes must have some form of storage for water they cook and clean with, as well as another entirely  different storage for clean drinking water. Tap water is in no way fit for drinking, regardless if it is on or not. According to Charity:Water organization “703 million people live without clean water”.

We’ve included photos of recent truckload blessings and the grateful hands they went to!  And may we say, we are most grateful to our true Living Water, Jesus, for His provision of life to those we serve, to all of you, and for all that He is!