The First Christmas Gift

The holiday season is in full swing now. The trees are decorated, the lights are up, and as I’m writing, there are practices happening for our Christmas play. There is beauty and hustle and bustle all around. However, with all of this going on, it is important to not let it distract us from the most important thing: That Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth, be born of a virgin in a humble stable, grew up and lived a sinless life, so that He could become the perfect sacrifice on the cross, and purchase our redemption through His blood. Jesus is the very first and the very best Christmas gift and He offers this gift to everyone on the earth. 

We are born with brokenness and evil (called sin) within us and live in this throughout our lives. This separates us from God and prevents us from having a relationship with Him both while we are living on this earth and in eternity. However, because God loves us, He sent Jesus to pay for all the wrong we’ve done and make a way for us to have a relationship with Him both now and forever in heaven. This price is not something any of us could ever pay on our own, but Jesus offers it as a free gift to you. If you have not already accepted this gift, I implore you to accept it before your eternal fate is sealed.

This message of good news is needed all around the world and the messengers are few. God is directing me to go and tell the people in Slovakia, that He loves and died for, about what He’s done. Who is He directing you to tell? Is He directing you to partner with others who are going? Through prayer and/or financially? Are you willing to follow where He leads?

Since I last wrote, I was blessed with the opportunity to share how God has been working with First Baptist Church in Pecatonica, IL. I was also able to attend a Christmas tea at another church in the area. It is truly a blessing to fellowship with other believers who have a heart and passion to see God’s work accomplished. The Lord has also provided several other opportunities in the new year to share His work. Please be praying that God uses me to accomplish His purposes through every opportunity He provides.

I’ve also been spending more time this month learning Slovak. I’ve seen progress with how much I’m understanding (including when reading passages in my Slovak Bible) and I have started being able to put together simple sentences. I still have a long way to go before I will be able to fully communicate, but the progress is encouraging. One way that I am learning is through a language exchange program that allows me to message back and forth with individuals in Slovakia. Please be praying that God will provide opportunities for me to develop relationships and witness through this in addition to practicing the language.

In Slovakia

The Bible Institute classes have started again both in Kežmarok and in Trebisov (about two hours south). Please be praying that God would provide good weather (one class had to be canceled because of ice on the roads), safety while traveling, and that He would use the classes to grow the individuals in the classes.

Please also be praying for health and strength for the Waites. With everything that happens this time of the year, they are often continuing to give of themselves even when exhausted. It is only through His strength that they can continue to serve.

One big praise is that the bridge right next to the church, which has been under construction for four years, has finally reopened. The temporary bridge should be taken down in January and then the construction barriers around the church should be removed as well. 

In addition, please be praying that the Lord would provide opportunities to witness and be a testimony in the community. Christmas allows us to bring up Christ more easily than we can any other time of the year. Pray for clarity to see these opportunities and boldness to act on them.

In Christ,

Shae Zabel