Dear Soldiers of the Cross,
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Beloved, I cannot start this letter off without first giving thanks to our God for the GREATEST gift ever given to humanity, the gift of God’s dear Son. The world looks upon Jesus’ birthday as just another simple birthday, but I see it as a birth into everlasting life with my blessed Savior. Let us not leave Jesus out of Christmas this year but keep Him in the center of the holiday season.
I’m still rejoicing over all that God has allowed us to be a part of this past year. So many open doors of opportunity to labor for Him on the mission field. Right now, we are overbooked for next year, 2025, and I’m not sure how we are going to get it all done. This year we had 9 Bible schools with 19 professions. Praise the Lord! Please pray for us that God will strengthen us for the task.
In November Ms Sheril and I had the wonderful opportunity to deliver a twelve-foot enclosed trailer full of Christmas shoeboxes, coats hats, gloves, assortment of baby supplies and other needed items to two of our missionaries on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and New Mexico. We also met with a group of our Lumbee tribal members from Mt Elem Baptist Church that also delivered a load of Christmas shoeboxes. This precious Lumbee church is also raising money to help drill a well for missionary Aaron Nelson. Brother Nelson and his dear family are living without electricity and running water in their home. Our Native people should not have to live in these conditions. Please help us pray about this need.
Christmas time is such a wonderful time of the year! It’s one of my favorite times of the year. But we have a very heavy heart this year because of all the families that have lost so much from Hurricane Helene. So many lives lost, homes lost, vehicles and all their belongings. When I say their homes are gone, I mean they are literally gone without any sign that they were ever there. And the sad part is they will not be able to rebuild because the land is gone as well. Many of these people are still living in tents, campers, motels and homeless shelters. Please keep these dear folks in your minds and in your prayers. The biggest need for them right now is housing, if any would like to help.
Merry Christmas to all and hope you have a blessed New Year.
As We Labor for Christ,
Gerry & Sheril Locklear
Missionaries to the Native Americans