Mom. Dad. Such simple words, yet they carry tremendous significance. Many of us have taken being able to say these two words for granted. Amongst our COJ partner churches, there are children who have grown up without having such a privilege and some of them faced extra challenges during this current pandemic. God has charged his church to look after those in need, especially the orphans. It is only through the generous giving of faithful sponsors and partners in the ministry that we are able to continue helping children like Bertha, Estani, Baymar and Taylor and express to them His heart– that He is their Abba daddy who is always with them and loves them so dearly. How great our Heavenly Father is! Thank you for being the channel of His love to these children!

Dios, nuestra eterna esperanza y refugio. Aún en medio de esta pandemia, la Iglesia Jesús Esperanza de Vida, ha continuado a ser el lugar de refugio y paz para los niños y jóvenes en la comunidad de Guayaquil, permitiéndoles descansar de las realidades desfavorables que enfrentan día a día. Con más de 60 niños y jóvenes que se reúnen en la iglesia, la hermana Carmen tuvo que dividirlos en dos grupos para acomodar la distancia social. Dos años han pasado desde que la iglesia fue construida; y estamos buscando por la dirección de Dios para saber si es Su deseo extender o construir un segundo piso. Por favor de unirse con nosotros para juntos buscar la dirección de Dios sobre este tema; y continuemos levantando a la hermana Carmen, para que Dios la siga llenando de Su Espíritu y le conceda salud y fuerzas.

Después de nueve meses, los niños, incluyendo los del orfanatorio de Amazing Grace (Sublime Gracia), finalmente regresaron a la escuela el enero. Sin embargo, el sistema de la escuela ahora enfrenta un nuevo reto, tratando de insertar un año entero de materia educativa en los próximos cinco meses. Los estudiantes de la Escuela Bíblica están resumiendo sus estudios y ministerios después de varios meses de estar en sus hogares. Los cultos de la iglesia del Pastor Abraham comenzaron en octubre y siguen estables desde entonces. El trabajo no ha cesado para el Pastor Abraham. Mientras los niños estaban en casa, él los reunía para orar dos veces al día y encontró a dos tutores quienes les ayudarían en sus estudios. Trajo avivamiento y aliento espiritual a muchas aldeas locales y guió a muchos a ser bautizados en el nombre del Señor. A pesar de un calendario lleno de eventos para evangelizar y la posibilidad de una segunda ola de coronavirus, él no se desanima ni teme. El Pastor Abraham y su familia tienen una esperanza incansable. Un gozo insaciable. Una fe inmóvil, que brota desde un profundo y gran amor por su gran y poderoso Salvador. Él no está enfocado en las pruebas o los retos sino en el único amor que se encuentra en medio de todo. Él tiene fe en Dios. Gracias queridos patrocinadores por sus continuas oraciones, ánimo y apoyo al Pastor Abraham. Les pedimos de seguir orando para que el Espíritu Santo le siga dando a él y a su familia sabiduría, misericordia, gracia y amor.

Nunca dejamos de ser asombrados por las maravillas de Dios. Durante la temporada navideña uno de nuestros patrocinadores de COJ fue inspirado por el Espíritu Santo ayudar, no solo los niños pero una iglesia entera de COJ; para compartir el abundante amor y gracia de Jesús cual siempre satisface nuestras necesidades. Ubicada en una comunidad de alto crimen y muchas madres solteras, pudimos ayudar la iglesia Catedral de Vida en Piura. El pastor junto con su familia, prepararon una canasta de vivires para proveer a cada familia en la iglesia y también pudieron dar algunas familias del vecindario, logrando resplandecer la luz de Jesús aquellos que están viviendo en tinieblas. Alabamos al Señor por los corazones de Sus hijos; dispuestos a ser usados y responder a Su llamado. ¡Permitiéndonos experimentar la bendición de ser testigos como se van revelando Sus grandes obras en medio esta situación!

Les saludo en el nombre más hermoso de Jesucristo. A través de nuestra experiencia en esta pandemia de COVID-19, obtuvimos una gran lección y comprensión en el 2020. Nos hemos dado cuenta que no solo de pan viviremos pero de cada palabra que sale de la boca de nuestro Dios, como está escrito en Deuteronomio 8 y Mateo 4. No vivimos por nuestra propia fuerza y poder pero por la asombrosa gracia de Dios. Noticias han llegado a nuestros oídos de que muchas organizaciones sin fines de lucro, iglesias y centros misioneros están reduciendo su fuerza laboral a causa de serios problemas económicos por la pandemia del COVID-19, dejando nuestros corazones contritos y afligidos por ellos. Por motivo de su apasionado y fiel apoyo, aun durante estos tiempos tan complicados, son la razón por cual estamos mejor de lo que esperábamos. Su infinito amor por aquellos en necesidad es un poderoso ánimo y consuelo para todos nosotros aquí en Hanhee Kim World Mission Center (Centro Misionero Mundial Hanhee Kim). No tenemos suficientes palabras para describir nuestra gratitud por su bondad y generosidad. Con gran fervor estamos orando que en el 2021; tus vacas y tus ovejas se aumenten, y la plata y el oro se te multipliquen, y todo lo que tuvieres se aumente (Deuteronomio 8:13). Sobre todo que sean llenos del Espíritu Santo este año. Nuevamente, queremos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento y nuestro amor a ustedes por su continuo apoyo.

In Mark 10:13-16, we see a sweet scene where Jesus blesses the children, showing his love towards them in a world where they were viewed as unimportant and a hindrance. Jesus publicly displays his love without discrimination. Today, we see the little ones vulnerable in their families and social environment. However, as they learn the Word of God they are strengthened. There’s no doubt that Jesus alone inspires our hearts to do good, and we can’t thank you enough, dear sponsors, for the love you show through prayers and offerings for your child in the Children of Jesus ministry. The blessings that our God prepares for them becomes a reality when they eat together after Sunday School, receive their gifts for school and Christmas, and when you come on mission trips to meet them. The time you spent with them lifts their spirits and leaves a lasting impact on their lives. May we continue to look at the children through the eyes of our Lord. We know and believe that God has been and will continue to be you and your family’s sustainer. Let us continue to follow in the steps of our Master by sharing his love with others. Read more from other COJ ministry partners!

Throughout the month of November, we were able to check-in individually with our 23 COJ partner churches through Zoom meetings and encourage pastors to keep pressing onward, with the wisdom and strength God provides throughout the continuation of testing times. In addition, we were able to discover the reality churches and children faced. While there were some churches where COVID-19 had ravaged their communities, most churches in more remote areas were untouched by COVID-19. However, though not affected by the disease directly, churches and children have suffered from spiritual collateral damage. Pastors and Sunday School teachers have tried to stay connected with the children, but their efforts have been limited by government-enforced prohibition of group gatherings throughout most of this year. Also, the lack of appropriate resources for digital communication (eg. cell phone) – and much less virtual communication (eg. Internet) – has rendered children isolated, without adequate access to education and spiritual nourishment. At this time, some churches have recently started to gather, some in planning stages to start gathering in the new year, and yet still many are clouded by uncertainty. The government set forth new protocols for churches to be able to re-open and some face challenges to meet the requirements. Things are out of our control. We realize this yet again. We have to seek on our knees, now more than ever, the face and help of the only one who is in absolute control. We ask that you would join alongside us and pray for God to re-open the doors of houses of worship and for the children in Peru –that they would able to pursue their studies once again and that the love and passion for Him would be reignited in their hearts.

This past summer, we couldn’t see the bright and beautiful stars of the Colorado night skies due to the heavy and thick smoke from the record-setting wild fires. In 2020, many of us could not see our beloved family members due to the COVID-19. But for many poor and neglected children in this world, they could not even see the hope of tomorrow due to the heavy burden of poverty. And yet, because of the sacrificial efforts of the firefighters, Colorado skies are twinkling again; because of the well-focused research of scientists, the world is preparing for a joyous reunion. And because of caring and loving sponsors, many poor children are envisioning a better and brighter future. Your love is bearing fruit! But we confess that above all else this is only possible by the grace of our almighty God. Whether it’s the wild fires, COVID-19, or seemingly unconquerable poverty, we are certain we will face a new day of victory and glory because our Lord Jesus came to this earth and died on the cross for us. As we send off 2020, a most unusual year, we have a big favor to ask of you. Would you please write a simple letter of encouragement to your sponsored child, student or pastor, using the letterhead we recently sent you? It would be such a great blessing and surprise for them. May our Lord bring you and your family a new day of victory and glory in 2021!

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Ps 115:1) It has been 27 years since our God called us to reach the ‘least of these’ in His love and compassion. And we simply want to bring all the glory to His wonderful name for what He has done through us. Even though we had nothing, our God has done most amazing works during past 27 years. And we know that He is not done and we are looking forward to witnessing greater glory in the future. We also want to sincerely thank you, our sponsors, for your faithful partnership to giving life to many orphans, unfortunate children, pastors and others in great need. May our God richly reward you for all that you have done for the ‘least of these’ in this unsettle times! Watch our video HERE!

Children who become true disciples of Jesus Christ. As the Children of Jesus (COJ) ministry prayed about and explored ways of how to support local churches to teach and disciple children, God highlighted the need to build up and train Sunday School teachers. Churches also expressed the need, which gave us confirmation this was something we needed to move forward with. All the plans that we were planning on going through with at the beginning of the year seemed to fall through due to COVID-19, but God yet again proved He is a waymaker! Through the collaboration with Liga Biblica, who provides free training for those using their Sunday School curriculum, Proyecto Felipe, we were able to facilitate Sunday School teacher trainings via Zoom over two Saturdays, August 22nd and 29th. It was amazing that there were no connection problems throughout the trainings – praise God! We believe that God has placed an important calling on the lives of these teachers to have a transformative impact on each child they teach and disciple so that they may develop a personal relationship with Christ and become great witnesses of Him to the world. As you pray for the child you sponsor, we ask that you also remember the Sunday School teachers who are pouring into their lives and ask for God to bless them with love, strength, and wisdom.