December 12, 2007
by Joan S. Gray
Moderator, 217th General Assembly

ATLANTA – "I wish I could send them home with some small thing, even a piece of soap."

These were the words of a pastor in the Cameroon, West Africa. He was telling our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) delegation visiting Cameroon about the support group his congregation sponsors for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The support group is a lifeline for people who are often ostracized because of their disease. The pastor reminds them often that they are loved by God. However, it hurts his soul to have to send these people away with nothing in their hands to remind them of God's love and the church's care.

This experience was one of many in which our PC(USA) delegation saw Presbyterians in Cameroon doing very significant ministry with almost nothing. These dedicated servants of Christ run churches, clinics, hospitals, schools, orphanages, seminaries, and other ministries on less than a shoestring. They don't have many of the things that we take for granted in the United States; yet, their joy in the faith is palpable.

In this season when we spend so much energy and money giving gifts to each other, why not make a special gift to God? Just as human parents love to see their children doing good things for each other, so God loves to see us being generous to our brothers and sisters in Christ, those nearby and those far away.

Want to give God joy? Then grab hold of some piece of the need of the world and give a sacrificial gift that makes a difference for good. If worldwide mission is your passion, you can find out how to support the work of our missionaries and partner churches by visiting this Web site.

May the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ, give you abundant life during this Christmas season and in the year to come!

Presbyterian News Service