As we celebrate Christ bringing hope and salvation into the world at Christmas, I’d like to share a modern-day story of hope and transformation.

We saw the ravages of Hurricane Matthew during much of our journey. It was devastating to see how houses, churches, and entire schools were totally destroyed, even coconut palm trees were literally uprooted!

El pasado 16 de noviembre tuve la oportunidad de visitar los pueblos de Maisi y Baracoa con el Presidente de la Convención Bautista de Cuba Oriental, el Rev. Osbel Gutierrez, su esposa, Sarita, el Rev. Roy Acosta, y otros dos hermanos de Puerto Rico; el Rev. Edwin Mojica y la Hna.

As I sing or hear this Christmas carol, I realize these words have taken on a different meaning for me. I am reminded of a landless, homeless couple in Nepal whose story I heard during my last trip there in October.

Ten months have passed since we came to serve at Deborah’s House. We have seen many families come and go. We have experienced some success, but also painful failures.

For several years now I have had a vision to open a coffee shop in the new building of First Baptist Church of Sofia. The idea is that the coffee shop will serve as a connection to the local community, a meeting place for the church community and eventually a training ground for girls leaving prostitution and other at-risk individuals.