Christmas Wishes
by Shannon Hurley
Christmas time is by far the best time of the year for my family. During these two weeks, we mostly shut down everything and just spend time as a family enjoying one another. Every morning we have a big breakfast, family devotions, and play some sort of game. In the evenings we watch Christmas movies, drink hot chocolate, and spend time talking and laughing. We also enjoy certain traditions, which often center around competition. We have a boy versus girl breakfast cook off, a cookie decorating competition, a dad and mom versus the kids soccer game (which are not so easy to win anymore). The season is the highlight of our year. Each year I am reminded of what an incredible family God has given me.This year one major focus has been on presents. Some may think that is terrible, but I think it is outstanding. Why? Because each one of my children (except the youngest!) has saved up their money all year, just so that they can buy one another an "all out" Christmas gift. So Christmas this year was launched by Christmas shopping. What I love about this emphasis is that my kids are sincerely focused on what they can give to their siblings, instead of what they are to receive. My ten year-old son said, "I can't wait to see the joy on my brother's face when he opens this gift." As a dad that is almost unbelievable.
I must admit, as a dad, I love giving Christmas gifts, too. I love shopping for my kids and spoiling them with a lot of presents. I love the joy that fills my heart as I watch my children rejoicing in my love expressed to them. I can't help but think the same is true from God's perspective. As I tell my kids repeatedly, "The greatest gift ever given on Christmas is the gift that God has given us -the gift of His Son Jesus Christ." And I believe God who gave His Son for us, finds joy every Christmas as He sits on His heavenly throne and watches His children's faces as they remember the gift of Jesus Christ and the price paid to redeem us from our sins. Therefore, if God's gift is the main purpose of this holiday, should He not experience the joy of His inconceivable gift? Should the reality that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son become trite or trivial as to lose its pre-eminence? Or should its significance cause us to rekindle a fresh the joy of the season? Or should the gift of Jesus Christ become the focus of every day's existence during these few special weeks? Please sit down with your church family, friends, spouse, and children and be reminded of the greatest gift ever given; do so until your hearts overflow with joy anew. Let's let God experience the joy of His gift...our rejoicing!
- Shannon
Touched to Tears
by Shannon Hurley
As I contemplate another year's completion, I am touched to tears. How does God carry us through every year? How is it that God would allow me to be blessed by the gift of each of you who so faithfully give to this ministry? I feel so blessed and so honored by your love and generosity. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to pick up the phone and call each of you personally. Thank you for giving every year. Thank you for giving faithfully (self motivated, instead of just temporarily out of emotions). Thank you for loving my people in Uganda, my family, and me personally. Thank you for being so dear to us. On behalf of all of us at SOS, we wish you all an absolutely worshipful and wonderful CHRISTmas and an exciting and eventful New Year. Please know from the bottom of our hearts, we love you and praise God for you more than you will ever know.
- from the Hurleys and the SOS Family
Update from Danielle
Recently, when I visited California to visit my daughter at college, I experienced reverse culture shock. During my second day in America, at two separate stores, 2 different men I had never met opened doors for me! I almost fell over! I couldn't remember the last time that happened to me in Africa! Sadly, chivalry has not been ingrained into the culture of this male-dominated society where women have been historically devalued and oppressed. Unfortunately, women here have followed the American reaction to injustice against women-fight back and take over men's roles. Unfortunately, without Christ, most women everywhere have blamed men for sin's liability. Therefore, they've been unable to devise a successful solution.
God has not been surprised by the injustices. In fact, He pronounced them in the curse to women (..."and he [your husband] will rule over you" [Gen. 3:16].) But God also pronounced the solution (Genesis 3:15). God planned redemption-a much more effective solution than feminism.
Realizing the need for the women in our Ugandan churches to understand God's solution to their dysfunctional lives, last week, we held the National Women's Conference on Biblical Womanhood for the Baptist Union of Uganda. I can't even begin to describe the exhilaration of unveiling God's plan for them as women. They seemed to really grasp God's ultimate purpose for us to glorify God when we live according to His design. This whole womanhood issue really has little to do with our preferences or desires, but with choosing to live in such a way as to make God look great-regardless of the cost. We talked about how powerful God designed women to be-not as the world defines power, but in terms of influence. We were designed to influence ungodly men (by our lifestyles, not words- 1 Peter 3), and our societies and even our nation, as we spiritual mothers raise up the next generation (Psalm 78:4-7).
The last day of the conference, a group of passionate mothers asked Jen and me why American children and husbands seem more affectionate than Africans. I attributed it to the difference in our nation's heritage. Just over 200 years ago, America was founded on prayerful, godly mothers who instilled biblical principles into their boys. Those boys grew and lived out the examples they had seen by their own fathers. As the influence of Christianity lessened over the years, fewer families exemplified Christian values, but the effect of their influence is still seen in American society today. The '60's liberation movement caused a drastic shift in the nation's direction, as the absence of mothers accelerated the moral decline of America, but the original Godward values of America can no doubt be attributed to the godly influence of America's early Christian heritage.
On the contrary, Africa's society is generally built on its pagan, witchcraft heritage. Such beginnings gave birth to godless homes void of fathers and mothers to live out and train their families according to God's design. The result is seen in this country full of children who are growing up with no one who cares. They may have parents, but their parents are too busy pursuing their careers (or survival) to notice their children.
In light of Africa's bleak history, this year's conference was impactful and transformational. Several women spoke of their plans to begin nurturing their families. They confessed that their children have been imitating their own words and actions, including calling their children, "stupid." One woman named Joy shared, "When we return home, we have much to repent of to our families."
We are praising the Lord to cause such conviction from our efforts this past week! We merely scattered the seeds of God's Truth, and pray that God's Spirit continues to cause growth to transform Uganda's homes, churches, communities, and even our nation!
I am praising the Lord for you dear sisters this Christmas season! May we not grow weary in looking for opportunities to live out God's design for us to love and care for people since, as Elisabeth Elliot put it, "We (women) were all made to be mothers!"
Much Love,
Danielle
Congratulations to our Student Graduates
As many of you know, the Hurleys have an "extended family" of young Ugandans that live in their home, and are loved and discipled by the Hurleys. We wanted to give praise and thanks for the hard work of three of our students that have just graduated from University - Simon, Danny and Ason!
As you make plans for year end giving, please consider partnering with SOS with the Pastoral Training Center, Legacy Christian Academy and community outreach efforts to transform the village of Kubamitwe and nation of Uganda. Contact Us for more information, or
