Hello and Christmas greetings from REACH Ministries.
We are bringing you a year-end update and pronouncing the blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over you and your family this year.
I want to start this communication by giving everyone a huge thank you and letting you know how much you have all meant to us during this last quarter of 2023. Our family was struck with a terrible tragedy in September this year. Our youngest son Elliott was killed in an accident that shook our hearts, minds, and lives to the very core. It is only through the power of God's love lifting us out of the mire and the community of faith and our family that has sustained us in this dark hour. You have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus in our hour of need! My report through it all is this:
God is still the KING and sits mightily on His throne, finding new ways to show Himself strong on our behalf!
The greatest message we have learned is that no one is promised tomorrow. Life is short; Let’s make the most of every relationship because when our friends and family are gone from this earth that opportunity is gone as well.
Jesus told us that there were 2 greatest commandments:
1. Love God with everything you have.
2. love your neighbor as yourself.
As a disciple who is making disciples, I want to encourage you that loving God with all you are means finding a way to love and serve the people He has put around you. They are His creation and you may only be with them or around them for a short time. Make the most of those times, and live just as intentionally making relationships with your family and friends as you do with your God in heaven.
God is moving in the earth, His heart is reaping the harvest. Every area and every project has blossomed this year. Given the last four months have been stateside we expected that the work might slow down, BUT GOD! He has continued to double and triple the numbers and partners we serve. People are getting saved, delivered, and healed! God is building churches, He continues to provide for building programs in the schools and orphanages, Our feeding partners and programs have continued to grow. This years student support and tuition for orphans and the underprivileged have doubled. the discipleship program went from 5 men and a few books to over 3000 books printed and distributed. Each man and woman God calls into their discipleship ministry also brings 5 more. We have books translated into English, Swahili and now in Urdu touching 4 countries making true disciples of Jesus. Teaching people to learn from the Bible through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Getting their marching orders from God as they pray, read the bible, serve and witness in their communities, and learn to embrace suffering plus the true meaning of bearing one another's burdens while expecting great miracles to come from the creator of the Universe!
We have not been gone, we have been present in spirit and prayer and God has increased the work as God has been working through us double to make up for our weakness.
In closing this Christmas update let me remind you the people God puts in your lives are the only thing that truly matters to Him. Make a priority of following His example and giving yourselves to those around you. We give gifts at Christmas because God gave us the greatest gift of all. Be blessed as we close this year and look to hear from your family the Cox's in Kenya in 2024!
Merry Christmas!
Richard & Julie
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
Comments