Dear Friends,
Paul is at the funeral of a fourteen year old boy today. A student who was about to enter Grade 8 next week at ANIJA. The son of Ark house parents. A friend of many. We received a distraught call from his dad as we were getting ready to head to church last night. We couldn't believe it.
Last week-end I followed on Facebook as fellow missionaries posted pictures of a close family friend, a twenty-year-old college student who had drowned in Lake Michigan. They attended her funeral on the week-end.
A couple of days ago I heard about a missionary in Santo Domingo who drowned trying to save some teenagers. I didn't know him but can't imagine being in the place of his wife or children.
Three people in a week. Young. Healthy. Full of life. One of our own students. It has been a long time since I have written a blog post. I certainly didn't plan on writing about death. But death is a reality that each of us must face. We hope it will come later rather than sooner but we just never know. We have to be ready for it at any moment. Are we?
So many children in our school tell us that they can get to heaven if they are good enough. But God's standard is perfect and we all fall short. We all need to rely on Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life and died in our place to forgive our sins. Through Him, and Him alone, we can have eternal life. He gives hope. He brings assurance that we will see loved ones again. He helps us through tragedies and difficulties in this life even when we don't understand them. He is faithful. And He is good. Through Him I can say with the apostle Paul, "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). I hope you can too.
Sincerely,
Marcie Cooper
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2015
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Neighbours
Hello!
In the three and a half years that we have lived in our house here in the D.R., we have had a lot of different neighbours. The house next door has especially seemed to go through a lot of tenants. We enjoyed having single missionary girls in it for a while and have had some nice chats with the Seventh Day Adventists who recently moved into the lower level. For a while though, the upstairs apartment had a stream of residents whose behaviours were questionable. The last set of guys really made me nervous. I probably wouldn't even recognize them because of the wierd schedule they kept but I felt uncomfortable and started to pray that they would move. Within a couple of days they were gone and a "For Rent" sign was up.
Enter the Jehovah's Witnesses. I have to tell you that they are actually really nice people to have for neighbours. They are quiet, polite, and friendly. They don't cause trouble. They don't try to convert me because they know me and know that I won't accept their literature. They talk to me like a friend. And I remember to pray for them.
One Jehovah's Witness told me they heard that there were a lot of people who spoke English in our town (although most are Christian missionaries) and decided to send English speakers and start an English service. I found out yesterday that two little girls from our school also have Jehovah's Witnesses for neighbours and have been going to church with them. When I told them they shouldn't one said, "I always wondered if they were real Christians. Any time I visit them they don't let me in."
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37 NIV)
Those two little girls walk a long way to come visit us. I have to admit that I don't always feel like I want to welcome them in. But they are ten years old and no one is really looking after them. One is an orphan who was living with an aunt who then left her with someone else while she went to Haiti. The other lives in one room (total, not just one bedroom) with her entire family of six but her Mom is not always around. If we do not reach out to children like these, the wrong people will.
Thank you to those of you who are praying for us. Please pray for our relationships with our neighbours and that they may truly come to know Christ as their Saviour. And pray for God's love and energy for the children He has placed in our path.
Thank you!
Marcie
In the three and a half years that we have lived in our house here in the D.R., we have had a lot of different neighbours. The house next door has especially seemed to go through a lot of tenants. We enjoyed having single missionary girls in it for a while and have had some nice chats with the Seventh Day Adventists who recently moved into the lower level. For a while though, the upstairs apartment had a stream of residents whose behaviours were questionable. The last set of guys really made me nervous. I probably wouldn't even recognize them because of the wierd schedule they kept but I felt uncomfortable and started to pray that they would move. Within a couple of days they were gone and a "For Rent" sign was up.
Enter the Jehovah's Witnesses. I have to tell you that they are actually really nice people to have for neighbours. They are quiet, polite, and friendly. They don't cause trouble. They don't try to convert me because they know me and know that I won't accept their literature. They talk to me like a friend. And I remember to pray for them.
One Jehovah's Witness told me they heard that there were a lot of people who spoke English in our town (although most are Christian missionaries) and decided to send English speakers and start an English service. I found out yesterday that two little girls from our school also have Jehovah's Witnesses for neighbours and have been going to church with them. When I told them they shouldn't one said, "I always wondered if they were real Christians. Any time I visit them they don't let me in."
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37 NIV)
Those two little girls walk a long way to come visit us. I have to admit that I don't always feel like I want to welcome them in. But they are ten years old and no one is really looking after them. One is an orphan who was living with an aunt who then left her with someone else while she went to Haiti. The other lives in one room (total, not just one bedroom) with her entire family of six but her Mom is not always around. If we do not reach out to children like these, the wrong people will.
Thank you to those of you who are praying for us. Please pray for our relationships with our neighbours and that they may truly come to know Christ as their Saviour. And pray for God's love and energy for the children He has placed in our path.
Thank you!
Marcie
Monday, February 11, 2013
Worthwhile
Dear Friends,
I just finished sending out our latest prayer letter where we shared some of our ups and downs over the past couple months. There are always challenges. Discipline problems and tough relationships and financial needs. Seeing students and former students making poor choices and reaping the consequences. Lately though, we have had our share of accidents and deaths. One little boy in our daughter's class is still unable to walk or talk after being hit by a jeep. It's hard.
But there are joys too. We work with children who are at risk as a result of poverty, broken families, and lack of education. We feed them, educate them, and share Christ's love with them. And, for the third year in a row, we (actually my husband and staff but I'm the one who gets to write about it) get to take a group of Grade 8 students on a mission trip to a area where the children are poorer than they are. As part of the interview process, the students are asked to explain their faith. Paul has been clarifying that we cannot get to heaven by good works or going to church or attending a Christian school. Having a Christian family does not necessarily mean that you are a Christian. We each need to believe in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. In the past week, three students have decided to put their faith in Jesus. We pray that they will grow and serve Him on the short mission trip and beyond.
A few weeks ago, a friend who we have been praying for for over three years also made a profession of faith. She and her boyfriend, who we have worked with for almost 9 years, were just married. We are thrilled! This is what makes working here worthwhile. Thank you to all of you who pray for us and support us so we can be here. We appreciate you!
Marcie Cooper
I just finished sending out our latest prayer letter where we shared some of our ups and downs over the past couple months. There are always challenges. Discipline problems and tough relationships and financial needs. Seeing students and former students making poor choices and reaping the consequences. Lately though, we have had our share of accidents and deaths. One little boy in our daughter's class is still unable to walk or talk after being hit by a jeep. It's hard.
But there are joys too. We work with children who are at risk as a result of poverty, broken families, and lack of education. We feed them, educate them, and share Christ's love with them. And, for the third year in a row, we (actually my husband and staff but I'm the one who gets to write about it) get to take a group of Grade 8 students on a mission trip to a area where the children are poorer than they are. As part of the interview process, the students are asked to explain their faith. Paul has been clarifying that we cannot get to heaven by good works or going to church or attending a Christian school. Having a Christian family does not necessarily mean that you are a Christian. We each need to believe in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. In the past week, three students have decided to put their faith in Jesus. We pray that they will grow and serve Him on the short mission trip and beyond.
A few weeks ago, a friend who we have been praying for for over three years also made a profession of faith. She and her boyfriend, who we have worked with for almost 9 years, were just married. We are thrilled! This is what makes working here worthwhile. Thank you to all of you who pray for us and support us so we can be here. We appreciate you!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Hope
Hello!
I can't believe that it is December already! It feels too warm for Christmas but we have been seeing Christmas decorations up in stores here since September. We have our tree and lights up and a Little People Nativity set
out on a little table for the kids. They love it!
I have started doing an Advent Bible Study from goodmorninggirls.org to focus on Jesus during the holiday season. This week has been full of great verses focusing on HOPE. I was so encouraged by looking at how Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophesy and came to bring hope to all people.
Romans 15:12 tells us, "...Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'"
We can all have hope because Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. Let's not forget that this Christmas!
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is my prayer for you this Christmas season--that you will truly trust in Jesus and be filled with his joy, peace and hope.
With hope,
Marcie Cooper
I can't believe that it is December already! It feels too warm for Christmas but we have been seeing Christmas decorations up in stores here since September. We have our tree and lights up and a Little People Nativity set
out on a little table for the kids. They love it!I have started doing an Advent Bible Study from goodmorninggirls.org to focus on Jesus during the holiday season. This week has been full of great verses focusing on HOPE. I was so encouraged by looking at how Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophesy and came to bring hope to all people.
Romans 15:12 tells us, "...Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'"
We can all have hope because Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. Let's not forget that this Christmas!
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is my prayer for you this Christmas season--that you will truly trust in Jesus and be filled with his joy, peace and hope.
With hope,
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Dear friends,
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS..."
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be KIND..." and 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that love is KIND.
Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone followed the Bible's instruction to be kind? Everyone would be nice to each other and no one would be mean or hurt others. Bullying would not exist and families would enjoy being together.
I've had people tell me that they were not interested in knowing about Jesus because Christians had been mean to them or to others in the past. If you are a Christian, are you being kind to others? Just a couple days ago I had a talk with my little girl about how we are often the meanest to the people who are the closest to us and who we should love the most. In her case, she was having trouble with a certain little brother. For some people, it is a parent or spouse or friend. As Christians, we should be even more kind because we have the Holy Spirit to help us. If you are not a Christian, I hope that you will find Christians who show kindness to others and that you will come to understand God's kindness especially in sending Jesus to die on the cross to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him.
I hope that my words and actions this week will be kind and that yours will as well.
Sincerely,
Marcie Cooper
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS..."
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be KIND..." and 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that love is KIND.
Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone followed the Bible's instruction to be kind? Everyone would be nice to each other and no one would be mean or hurt others. Bullying would not exist and families would enjoy being together.
I've had people tell me that they were not interested in knowing about Jesus because Christians had been mean to them or to others in the past. If you are a Christian, are you being kind to others? Just a couple days ago I had a talk with my little girl about how we are often the meanest to the people who are the closest to us and who we should love the most. In her case, she was having trouble with a certain little brother. For some people, it is a parent or spouse or friend. As Christians, we should be even more kind because we have the Holy Spirit to help us. If you are not a Christian, I hope that you will find Christians who show kindness to others and that you will come to understand God's kindness especially in sending Jesus to die on the cross to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him.
I hope that my words and actions this week will be kind and that yours will as well.
Sincerely,
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
Hello!
At bedtime since Easter I have been reading Bible stories to my kids about what happened after Jesus' resurrection. He walked with two men on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to his disciples and then to Thomas. He helped them catch fish and served them breakfast early one morning. He left them with the Great Commission and then he went up in the clouds back to heaven. Two men in white told the disciples that He would return the way He had gone.
Here we are around 2000 years later and Jesus hasn't returned yet. Why? 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that it's because of His patience. He is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
As we wait for His return, we are also told to be patient. Not only patient in circumstances and in waiting for Him, but also to be patient with other people. That's the kind of patience listed in the Fruit of the Spirit. For me, for example, that means being patient with my husband and my kids and the children I work with in AWANA. It isn't always easy, especially when I'm tired, but it's possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. It's possible for you too.
I hope you have a great Sunday and that you show God's patience to those around you!
Sincerely,
Marcie Cooper
P.S. Here are links to other Fruit of the Spirit covered so far:
- love
- joy
- peace
At bedtime since Easter I have been reading Bible stories to my kids about what happened after Jesus' resurrection. He walked with two men on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to his disciples and then to Thomas. He helped them catch fish and served them breakfast early one morning. He left them with the Great Commission and then he went up in the clouds back to heaven. Two men in white told the disciples that He would return the way He had gone.
Here we are around 2000 years later and Jesus hasn't returned yet. Why? 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that it's because of His patience. He is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
As we wait for His return, we are also told to be patient. Not only patient in circumstances and in waiting for Him, but also to be patient with other people. That's the kind of patience listed in the Fruit of the Spirit. For me, for example, that means being patient with my husband and my kids and the children I work with in AWANA. It isn't always easy, especially when I'm tired, but it's possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. It's possible for you too.
I hope you have a great Sunday and that you show God's patience to those around you!
Sincerely,
Marcie Cooper
P.S. Here are links to other Fruit of the Spirit covered so far:
- love
- joy
- peace
Friday, April 6, 2012
GOOD Friday
Good morning this Good Friday morning!
"Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?" was a common question that I was asked as an elementary teacher in Toronto. For most of my students, Easter was just about chocolate, eggs, and the Easter Bunny. There were also some from Muslim families who believed that Jesus was a prophet and did not die on the cross. They didn't celebrate Easter at all. Others were Jehovah's Witnesses who believed that Jesus died but not that He was God. I just met some Jehovah's witnesses yesterday who wanted to invite me to a service celebrating Jesus' death.
Good Friday IS about remembering Jesus' death on the cross. But He IS God, He lived a truly good, perfect life as a man on earth, and He died in our place. Not only that, but he rose again, as we'll celebrate on Sunday. He is good and He is Lord!
Happy Good Friday!
Marcie Cooper
"Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?" was a common question that I was asked as an elementary teacher in Toronto. For most of my students, Easter was just about chocolate, eggs, and the Easter Bunny. There were also some from Muslim families who believed that Jesus was a prophet and did not die on the cross. They didn't celebrate Easter at all. Others were Jehovah's Witnesses who believed that Jesus died but not that He was God. I just met some Jehovah's witnesses yesterday who wanted to invite me to a service celebrating Jesus' death.
Good Friday IS about remembering Jesus' death on the cross. But He IS God, He lived a truly good, perfect life as a man on earth, and He died in our place. Not only that, but he rose again, as we'll celebrate on Sunday. He is good and He is Lord!
Happy Good Friday!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Palm Sunday
Dear Friends,
Palm Sunday holds new meaning for me now that I live in a country filled with palm trees. When I was a little girl in Canada, I often made my own palm branches out paper for Palm Sunday. I remember having real ones in church a few times but I'm not sure where they would have come from. Maybe a local greenhouse called Colosanti's. Now I have a great view of palm trees in my own front yard! My kids like to pick up branches that have fallen off the trees and shout, "Hosanna! Hosanna!" I can picture the children waving them in front and behind Jesus on the donkey saying, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Unfortunately, many of the people who laid palm branches at Jesus' feet that day did not continue to praise Him as He went to the cross. Hosanna means, "save us now" but they did not wait for the true salvation that Jesus provided. It is my prayer that you and I will praise Him today and continue to follow Him in the days to come.
In Christ,
Marcie Cooper
P.S. Here's my little girl with her "Hosanna" palm branch this afternoon.
Palm Sunday holds new meaning for me now that I live in a country filled with palm trees. When I was a little girl in Canada, I often made my own palm branches out paper for Palm Sunday. I remember having real ones in church a few times but I'm not sure where they would have come from. Maybe a local greenhouse called Colosanti's. Now I have a great view of palm trees in my own front yard! My kids like to pick up branches that have fallen off the trees and shout, "Hosanna! Hosanna!" I can picture the children waving them in front and behind Jesus on the donkey saying, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Unfortunately, many of the people who laid palm branches at Jesus' feet that day did not continue to praise Him as He went to the cross. Hosanna means, "save us now" but they did not wait for the true salvation that Jesus provided. It is my prayer that you and I will praise Him today and continue to follow Him in the days to come.
In Christ,
Marcie Cooper
P.S. Here's my little girl with her "Hosanna" palm branch this afternoon.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
Hello!
How are you? Can you answer using a word other than "fine" or "good?" Do you have peace?
I must admit that I can be a terrible worrier. I often get anxious and forget about God's peace, especially if I am not spending enough time praying and reading my Bible. I worry about my kids and our health and about silly things that will probably never happen. When I start to feel like that I quote Philippians 4:6-7 to myself. It says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
God's peace is not just the absence of war or worries or fears. It is more than we can imagine! Ephesians 2:14 even says, "He Himself is our peace." I'm glad that I serve that kind of God. I can pray to Him about anything I'm worried about and He can take care of it and help me not to worry.
Do you have that kind of peace? It comes first from believing in Jesus' death on the cross to bring peace between us and God. It is not the kind of peace that the world gives. It is more than we can understand or imagine.
Have peace!
Marcie Cooper
How are you? Can you answer using a word other than "fine" or "good?" Do you have peace?
I must admit that I can be a terrible worrier. I often get anxious and forget about God's peace, especially if I am not spending enough time praying and reading my Bible. I worry about my kids and our health and about silly things that will probably never happen. When I start to feel like that I quote Philippians 4:6-7 to myself. It says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
God's peace is not just the absence of war or worries or fears. It is more than we can imagine! Ephesians 2:14 even says, "He Himself is our peace." I'm glad that I serve that kind of God. I can pray to Him about anything I'm worried about and He can take care of it and help me not to worry.
Do you have that kind of peace? It comes first from believing in Jesus' death on the cross to bring peace between us and God. It is not the kind of peace that the world gives. It is more than we can understand or imagine.
Have peace!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Fruit of the Spirit - Joy
Hello!
"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy..."
I wanted to write about joy a couple weeks ago but woke up that day feeling tired and grumpy. Then we went to church and saw five people get baptized. The pastor said, "I baptize you with joy!" I remembered that my Bible study talked about true joy coming from our names being written in the Book of Life in heaven. It really was a joy to see those five people obey Jesus and show others that they want to follow Him. Their names are written in the Book of Life and they have a future in heaven!
How about you? Is your name written in the Book of Life? Leave a comment or see this post if you have questions about the cross. There is no greater joy than knowing Jesus!
Marcie Cooper
"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy..."
I wanted to write about joy a couple weeks ago but woke up that day feeling tired and grumpy. Then we went to church and saw five people get baptized. The pastor said, "I baptize you with joy!" I remembered that my Bible study talked about true joy coming from our names being written in the Book of Life in heaven. It really was a joy to see those five people obey Jesus and show others that they want to follow Him. Their names are written in the Book of Life and they have a future in heaven!
How about you? Is your name written in the Book of Life? Leave a comment or see this post if you have questions about the cross. There is no greater joy than knowing Jesus!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Fruit of the Spirit - Love
Hello!
Over the past few months, I have been doing a Bible study with some other ladies on the Fruit of the Spirit. The first in the list found in Galatians 5:22 is love. It is easy to love people who love us and are nice to us but God wants us to love like He does--unconditionally, no matter how we feel. The Greek word is agape. God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) and sent Jesus to die for us before we ever believed in Him. When the Holy Spirit lives in us we can love others with God's agape love.
I will never forget being at an outdoor wedding where a boy quoted 1 Corinthians 13 in pouring rain with thunder and lightening over the lake behind him. Nothing could stop him from loudly reciting the "love chapter" that is all about agape love. It is the kind of love that we need to be reminded of over and over again.
My challenge for you (and me) is to read 1 Corinthians 13 this week. Pray for God's help to love your family and friends with His agape love this Valentine's Day. I'd love to hear how it goes!
Love, Marcie
Over the past few months, I have been doing a Bible study with some other ladies on the Fruit of the Spirit. The first in the list found in Galatians 5:22 is love. It is easy to love people who love us and are nice to us but God wants us to love like He does--unconditionally, no matter how we feel. The Greek word is agape. God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) and sent Jesus to die for us before we ever believed in Him. When the Holy Spirit lives in us we can love others with God's agape love.
I will never forget being at an outdoor wedding where a boy quoted 1 Corinthians 13 in pouring rain with thunder and lightening over the lake behind him. Nothing could stop him from loudly reciting the "love chapter" that is all about agape love. It is the kind of love that we need to be reminded of over and over again.
My challenge for you (and me) is to read 1 Corinthians 13 this week. Pray for God's help to love your family and friends with His agape love this Valentine's Day. I'd love to hear how it goes!
Love, Marcie
Monday, December 19, 2011
Packing
Hello!
I haven't had much time to write because we've been busy packing.
Our printer is broken so I didn't get to print off the advent sheets I wanted the kids to colour for "peace" on Sunday. They coloured the candle on their advent cake page but that was all. I can't believe that next Sunday is Christmas! It will be a busy week but I'm sure we'll enjoy it and I hope you will too!
Have a great day!
Marcie Cooper
I haven't had much time to write because we've been busy packing.
Our printer is broken so I didn't get to print off the advent sheets I wanted the kids to colour for "peace" on Sunday. They coloured the candle on their advent cake page but that was all. I can't believe that next Sunday is Christmas! It will be a busy week but I'm sure we'll enjoy it and I hope you will too!
Have a great day!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Joy
Hello!
I love the picture from ministry-to-children.com that my kids are going to colour today for advent.
The illustrator, Mandy Groce, explains that the kids in the back have lots of presents but don't have joy. The little girl in the front doesn't have as much but you can see the joy in her face.
True joy comes from Jesus. As you look forward to Christmas, focus on Him and celebrate His birthday with joy!
EnJOY your day and the rest of the Christmas season!
Marcie Cooper
I love the picture from ministry-to-children.com that my kids are going to colour today for advent.
The illustrator, Mandy Groce, explains that the kids in the back have lots of presents but don't have joy. The little girl in the front doesn't have as much but you can see the joy in her face.
True joy comes from Jesus. As you look forward to Christmas, focus on Him and celebrate His birthday with joy!
EnJOY your day and the rest of the Christmas season!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Advent
Hello!
Do you have an advent calendar or candles in your house? We can't buy advent calendars here and I didn't want to make anything fancy because we'll be traveling a lot over the holidays. So I printed these Happy Birthday Jesus pages for the kids to colour:
Each day we are colouring a circle to count down to Christmas.
Each Sunday we are colouring a candle for advent. We are also doing advent colouring pages from ministry-to-children.com.
Today we talked about how God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth to make a way for us to go to heaven. That's what Christmas is all about!
There are only three more weeks before Christmas. Enjoy them!
Marcie Cooper
Do you have an advent calendar or candles in your house? We can't buy advent calendars here and I didn't want to make anything fancy because we'll be traveling a lot over the holidays. So I printed these Happy Birthday Jesus pages for the kids to colour:
Each day we are colouring a circle to count down to Christmas.
Each Sunday we are colouring a candle for advent. We are also doing advent colouring pages from ministry-to-children.com.
Today we talked about how God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth to make a way for us to go to heaven. That's what Christmas is all about!
There are only three more weeks before Christmas. Enjoy them!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, November 20, 2011
John 3:16
Hello!
My little girl is memorizing John 3:16 in English and in Spanish. Do you know it? It says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Do you want to try it in Spanish? It says, "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna."
People have had Bibles in English and Spanish for a long time but in some parts of the world this verse is still being translated into new languages. We want everyone to know that God sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins and that if we believe in Him we can go to heaven someday.
Are you ready for that day? I hope so!
Marcie Cooper
My little girl is memorizing John 3:16 in English and in Spanish. Do you know it? It says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Do you want to try it in Spanish? It says, "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna."
People have had Bibles in English and Spanish for a long time but in some parts of the world this verse is still being translated into new languages. We want everyone to know that God sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins and that if we believe in Him we can go to heaven someday.
Are you ready for that day? I hope so!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Questions about the Cross
Dear kids,
My three-year-old is always asking questions. Tonight his questions were about Jesus on the cross. Did it hurt Jesus on the cross? Why didn't he fall off? Did he stand? Why did he do that?Why did he come alive again? Why did he love us?
I must say that I have never thought about Jesus falling off of the cross. I guess I just remember that he had nails in his hands and feet that would hold him there. Yes, that would hurt! He bled and died to pay the price for our sins, the bad things that we think, say, and do. He loved us that much! He rose from the dead and is in heaven getting a place ready for those who believe in Him. Do you believe?
It will be a great day when we can be with Him in heaven!
Marcie Cooper
My three-year-old is always asking questions. Tonight his questions were about Jesus on the cross. Did it hurt Jesus on the cross? Why didn't he fall off? Did he stand? Why did he do that?Why did he come alive again? Why did he love us?
I must say that I have never thought about Jesus falling off of the cross. I guess I just remember that he had nails in his hands and feet that would hold him there. Yes, that would hurt! He bled and died to pay the price for our sins, the bad things that we think, say, and do. He loved us that much! He rose from the dead and is in heaven getting a place ready for those who believe in Him. Do you believe?
It will be a great day when we can be with Him in heaven!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Orphan Sunday
Hello!
Today is Orphan Sunday. Christians and churches around the world are praying for orphans, children who do not have parents.
James 1:27 tells us to look after orphans. Here are a few pictures of children who live in our orphanage and attend our school. Will you pray for them?
Thank you!
Have a great day!
Marcie Cooper
Today is Orphan Sunday. Christians and churches around the world are praying for orphans, children who do not have parents.
James 1:27 tells us to look after orphans. Here are a few pictures of children who live in our orphanage and attend our school. Will you pray for them?
Thank you!
Have a great day!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A Missionary?
Hi kids,
I met two new girls today. They came to talk to me from the house next door to our team house. The house is just around the corner from us and is a place where groups stay when they come to help our organization, Kids Alive International, for a week or two. The girls drew me a picture. Afterwards, my little girl asked, "Did you tell them about Jesus?" When I said no she said, "What? Aren't you a missionary?" I guess I have some work to do.
Do you know about Jesus? Do you tell others about him? He is the Saviour of the world!
Have a good day!
Marcie Cooper
I met two new girls today. They came to talk to me from the house next door to our team house. The house is just around the corner from us and is a place where groups stay when they come to help our organization, Kids Alive International, for a week or two. The girls drew me a picture. Afterwards, my little girl asked, "Did you tell them about Jesus?" When I said no she said, "What? Aren't you a missionary?" I guess I have some work to do.
Do you know about Jesus? Do you tell others about him? He is the Saviour of the world!
Have a good day!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Spanish Church
Hi Kids,
It is Sunday and our family will go to church today. Our church is in Spanish because people in the Dominican Republic speak Spanish. It is almost the same as in English. We pray, sing, and listen to a sermon. One thing that is different for us is that babies do not go to the nursery until the pastor preaches. Sometimes they get wiggly but they will learn to sit still as they grow older.
Do you ever have trouble sitting still in church? You can pray and ask God to help you.
Have a great day and enjoy going to church!
Marcie Cooper
It is Sunday and our family will go to church today. Our church is in Spanish because people in the Dominican Republic speak Spanish. It is almost the same as in English. We pray, sing, and listen to a sermon. One thing that is different for us is that babies do not go to the nursery until the pastor preaches. Sometimes they get wiggly but they will learn to sit still as they grow older.
Do you ever have trouble sitting still in church? You can pray and ask God to help you.
Have a great day and enjoy going to church!
Marcie Cooper
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Give Thanks
Hi Kids,
Psalm 118 tells us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures (lasts) forever."
Thank God for His goodness today.
Have a great day!
Marcie Cooper
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