Thanksgiving Around the World

At Thanksgiving time, I thought it might be appropriate to consider food resources and hunger around the world. When my kids are taking their bath and fill the tub with almost as much water as it can hold, I remind them that some kids have to walk for hours just to get water, and then it's still not water that we're used to. I thought you might have fun with this video game.
From the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency, Food Force is a free educational video game telling the story of a hunger crisis on the fictitious island of Sheylan.
Comprised of 6 mini-games or “missions”, the game takes young players from an initial crisis assessment through to delivery and distribution of food aid, with each sequential mission addressing a particular aspect of this challenging process.
As you enjoy your dinner, thank God for all the blessings He's given us and say a prayer for those around the world who do not have as much as you.

Christmas in Jamaica

My husband went to Jamaica a few years ago. He heard a lot of jokes about people questioning whether it was really a mission trip or not, but if you saw the children in need, you'd know it wasn't a "day at the beach." He helped out at an orphanage, Robin's Nest. He went in the heat of summer, but I wonder what it would be like at Christmas time...
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse? Visions of sugar plums dancing in your head? More like lizards and insects crawling past your head!
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash? I don't think they had windows. I think everything was pretty open. No air conditioning either.
...went straight to his work. He filled up the stockings and turned with a jerk? I don't think these kids expect too much for Christmas. They don't have parents, and the only gifts they receive are what people donate.
They're actually blessed with a nice building for Jamaica's standards. But my husband showed me pictures of shacks that people actually live in, until someone kicks them off of their land. I am not exagerating that I know dog houses that are much nicer than these shacks. Sorry I couldn't find the pictures.
They're actually blessed with a pool, but what else can you do when it's so hot? And many of the children have special needs.
There was a church in a nearby village, but definitely no stained glass windows and fancy altar.
They do have food, but most of it is donated. Would you climb up a tree to get a mango? I'm not sure if they have money for a special Christmas dinner, though.
The orphanage is up in the mountians, but Jamaica does have nice beaches...just be careful about the drug dealers that approach you.
Well, thinking of Jamaica makes me appreciate our blessings from God, which is especially appropriate to take more time do at Thanksgiving. And at Christmastime, we receive so many blessings, especially compared to other children. Please keep in your prayers: these orphans, the ministry of Robin's Nest, and the Jamaican people who so often turn to drugs or voo doo-type practices as their way to cope with problems in life. We pray they all know the comfort and hope that the baby Jesus brought into the world.

Where will the Lord lead you?

Rev. Patrick and Jennifer O'Neal serve the Lord as missionaries based in Seoul, South Korea beginning in August of 2006. Patrick has been called to work as Strategic Mission Developer - North Asia. Specifically, he is working closely with the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) as they develop regional strategies for mission work in North Asia. Already a number of congregations in the LCK are involved in short-term mission trips and training evangelists. It is hoped that the LCMS and LCK can develop some joint mission projects and plans so that more people in North Asia might have their hearts set Ablaze! through hearing the Gospel.

The O'Neals served as missionaries in Kingston, Jamaica from 2004-2006. Prior to that, Patrick served as a parish pastor in Algona, Iowa. Patrick graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1999 and his undergraduate work was completed at the University of California, San Diego. Patrick grew up in Camarillo, Calif. His interests include woodworking, calligraphy, and photography.

Jennifer also attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, in the Masters in Arts and Religion program. She and Patrick met there and were married. Before attending the Seminary, Jennifer was the director of the LCMS Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program in Taiwan. She spent 10 years in Taiwan and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Jennifer graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. She was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Jennifer enjoys tea, music/theater, letter writing, cooking, and spending time with friends.


The O'Neals are blessed with three children. John and Grace attend Seoul Foreign School and James is an at-home preschooler.

Rev. O'Neal was at my husband's congregation in Iowa. Who would have thought God would send him halfway around the world to share the Gospel?! I wonder where the Lord will lead you.

Please pray for Patrick, Jennifer, and their children as they adjust to the new culture and lifestyle in Korea. Pray for: effective language learning as they study Korean; the health and safety of the entire family; and good relationships with colleagues in the LCK so that fruitful partnerships and projects might be developed to reach the people of this region.

Christmas Decorations

My five-year-old daughter wants to put up Christmas decorations already! I let her dig through a few boxes, but I told her we have to at least wait until after Thanksgiving. What do you think? My kids are learning Christmas songs already in Sunday School.
My favorite Christmas decoration is my olive wood nativity that I bought when I went on a backpacking trip to Israel. It's special to me because of the memory of the trip, because it's hand-carved, because I had to bargain with the shopkeeper for a price I could afford, but most of all because it's from the birthplace of our Savior!

What's your favorite Christmas decoration at your home? Why?

What's your favorite Christmas decoration from another country that was mentioned in the book? Why?

Check out some decorating scenes from the past few years . . . meet my family.

Christmas in Korea

SUCCESSFUL WINTER ENGLISH CAMP AT LTU
BY REV. PATRICK O’NEAL
LCMS MISSIONARY IN KOREA
Luther University’s ESL camp January 7–25, 2008 was a success! Rev. Mark and Lynelle Hansen and Jeremiah Dost were recruited by LCMS World Mission as short-term missionaries for 3 weeks in this first-of-its-kind program at LTU. They taught along with Robert Collin who is full time at LTU.
The work load was quite heavy, with six 40 minute classes each day and preparing the next days lessons. I know at times it was a struggle, but the team did wonderfully. They reported leaning on God’s strength and also coming to better appreciate some of the challenges that career missionaries face in the field.
Each day the teachers had the opportunity to lead a class on a Bible story. The ladies in Pastor Hansen’s congregations (Faith and St. John in Deloit & Kiron, Iowa) had prepared books on the Christmas story using old Christmas cards as the pictures. In the final week, the classes prepared a Bible-story skit for their parents. Pastor Hansen preached at the closing program (with translation by Dr. Roh, English Dept. Chairman) – an event in which he rejoiced in being able to proclaim Jesus’ power over death.
Not only was this event good for Luther University, but it was also good for the individual students. About half of the 45 student were not believers, so we rejoice in these children hearing the Good News of Jesus. We are also glad for the 30-40 parents who attended the closing service and had the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
Thanks to Mark, Lynelle, and Jeremiah for willingly serving and sacrificing so that these beloved children could not only learn more English, but also hear the Words of eternal life. That’s what Ablaze! is all about.

Social Studies Opportunity

I challenge your class to create an “Adopt” a missionary Web site. The purpose is to keep people informed about this missionary and life in that part of the world. LCMS World Mission has information about people serving in all parts of the world. Here are some suggestions for an outline:
• The Web site should include information about the missionary.
o Where stationed, Family members, ways he/she/they are communicating the Gospel to that region
o Share the missionary’s needs (must be updated at least twice a month): personal prayer requests, financial support need, physical items that could be made or purchased and shipped
Get the word out about their ministry! You can make a difference and enhance the potential impact of their efforts. Although missionaries may not have the time or capacity to personally reply to your emails, know that your prayers and/or financial support mean a lot.
• The Web site should provide some information about life in that part of the world.
Demographics
 Population
 Population Density
 Population Growth
 Life Expectancy
 Median Age
 Birth/Death Rate
 Religions
 Languages
Geography
 Location
 Square Miles
 Boarding Countries
 Terrain
 Land use
 Natural Resources
 Capital city
 Largest Cities with population
 Economy
 Currency
 Unemployment Rate
 Industries
 Agricultural Products
 Imports
 Exports
 GDP
Update if there is any news-worthy, current event in that region. Readers will know what issues or challenges face the people in that part of the world. And you may want to update your site to share the latest regional events or celebrations.

Christmas in China

China is another country in which we don't always think of Christmas celebrations. You're probably more likely to hear about the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations. But in recent years, Christianity is really spreading in China! Praise the Lord! Hear what a friend of mine, Aaron Voth, has to share about his experiences:

Ni hao! Hello from the “Middle Kingdom,” China! My name is Aaron and I have been living in China since 2005. I came to China to teach English Language classes to college students. China is a wonderful and exciting place to live. It is very different from America, but that is why I like living here so much.

In China they have many of their own traditional holidays, but they also celebrate some Western holidays, such as Christmas. Even though Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday, every year I see more and more Christmas decorations in the streets as China tries to adopt holidays from other countries.

Even though Christmas is being celebrated more and more here in China, most Chinese people do not understand the real reason we celebrate this holiday. When you ask Chinese people what the meaning of Christmas is, they will often talk about Santa Claus and Christmas trees and presents. But even though the people do not always know the true meaning of Christmas, it is hidden in their language, kind of like a hidden code! Let me show you what I mean!

In the Chinese language, the word for Christmas is 圣诞 节 – Shèng Dàn Jié. Here is what each word (or character) means:
Shèng dàn jié – “Christmas”
Shèng - 圣 – “Holy, sacred”
Dàn - 诞 – “birth”
Jié - 节 – “celebration, festival”

So the meaning of the Chinese word for Christmas is “A celebration of a Holy birth”! I wonder whose birth that would be… 

Another example is the Chinese word for Christmas Eve: 平安夜 - Píng Ān Yè. Here is what each word (or character) means:
Píng Ān Yè – “Christmas Eve”
Píng - 平 – “peaceful, calm”
Ān - 安 – “still, quiet”
Yè - 夜 – “night”

So the meaning of the Chinese word for Christmas Eve is “a peaceful, quiet night”! Does anyone remember the lyrics to the song Silent Night? “All is calm, all is bright…” It’s just like the Chinese word!

When I teach my Chinese students about the true meaning of Christmas, I show them how their very own language tells the true Christmas story. That way they can understand that the Christmas holiday is not only an American holiday, but a holiday for everyone! Please pray that the Chinese people, and people all around the world, would know the true meaning of Christmas!

10-year-old organist

How can you use your gifts to tell other people about our Savior Jesus? Have you ever played a musical instrument in church or chapel? Have you ever read Scripture in church or chapel? Have you ever acted out a Bible story in church or chapel? Leave a comment or take this poll and tell us how. Hear a ten-year-old play the hymn my book is based on. Pretty good, huh? The arrangement of the hymn is by Paul Manz, a famous Lutheran composer who just died a week ago. Did you know that Martin Luther helped write the words (the German translation)? Look them up on page 332 in Lutheran Service Book , follow this link, or look at page 30 in Christmas Around the World.

Christmas Celebration Webquest

TRAVELERS READY?? Pack your bags and journey around the world in search of Christmas Celebrations. You will be stopping at each of the seven continents to stamp your passport and collect information about the festivals. Learn geography, practice some language arts skills, and see how or if the birth of Jesus is recognized around the world.