This Christmas came like most others. We found shops and homes decorated inside and out with Christmas decor. Television and radio advertisements once again wittingly tried to persuade us to add their expensive products to our Christmas lists. Children especially were persuaded to want the latest fashions, music, video games and other expensive items!

It seems very few people remember the true meaning of Christmas amidst all of their wanting. I believe it saddens the heart of God when we want the latest things more than Christ. Christ’s gift of his only son was the best gift that any father could give. We rejoice as the gift of his son came in the form of a precious little baby. This baby was to grow up into a man who loved, served and ultimately gave his life for all people. Who would not find joy in a gift such as this?

This Christmas we rejoiced with three couples that received the precious gift of a child. These individuals did not receive just any children, they accepted children from Beautiful Gate into their families. An overwhelming sense of joy flooded the care center as we watched these parents bond with their children. The newly united families left the premises with huge smiles stretching across their faces and tears of love dripping down their cheeks. It is hard to find the words to describe this bittersweet moment. There is joy and sadness in giving a child to a new family that you have helped nurture for some time.

As we parted with these children we found peace in the knowledge that they are in the palm of God’s hand. All we could do was stand back in awe as we witnessed the union of a child with the parents God had hand chosen for them. We praise God for this awesome Christmas gift!

Brian Voortman is an intern at Beautiful Gate, Lesotho.

Hometown: Chino, California
Home Church: CrossPoint Church, Chino
Birthday: 03.12.1988.

“Someone asked me once how long I have been a Christian. I didn’t really know how to answer that. I guess forever. I grew up in a Christian home with Christian parents, and I went to a Christian School, and then a Christian College.

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that started to embrace the fact that being a Christian is an adventure. The bible is this really cool story about God reuniting His people back to him. I wanted to be a part of that story, a part of that adventure.

I was going to a small bible college studying to be a youth pastor. My plan for myself was to do a semester abroad in Jerusalem. As I started to make this plan happen, God changed my plans and put in His own for my life. So here I am, living in Lesotho for the next 9 months. Never did I think I would end up in Africa for 9 months!

I have discovered that following Jesus will take you to places you never thought you would go, and then hopefully God will take you further.

I will be posting some of my thoughts and experiences while I am here. I also hope to post photos and videos about Lesotho and the people I meet.

Blessings,

Abuti Brian (that’s what they call me here in Lesotho. Abuti means I’m not married)

Four weeks prior to Christmas day we begin to see signs of the upcoming holiday season. Colorful lights begin racing around the roofs of homes on almost every city street. The décor of each church’s sanctuary turns from the warm orange and yellow colors of fall to images of the nativity.

During the Christmas season we are reminded of God’s profound gift of his son. We not only rejoice in Christ’s birth but also in the Lord’s many provisions for Beautiful Gate. God has blessed the care center with funds, health and the growth of partners worldwide.

Specifically, we rejoice in the abiding gift of family for one of the children at Beautiful Gate. Letlotlo has been at the care center for over 5 years recovering, growing and becoming a big brother to the children at the care center. This Christmas marks the completion of his long adoption process. Connecting children in need with loving parents, both on earth and in heaven is what Beautiful Gate’s work is all about! Praise be to God for his abiding gifts to us!

It is our hope that you will join Beautiful Gate in their ministry to the HIV/AIDS and poverty affected children of Lesotho. Please visit our giving page to help support the care center in their efforts. We ask that you prayerfully consider giving as the Lord leads you.

As we rejoice in the Lord for his goodness in financial provision this past year, the care center faces new major challenges in the year to come. Beautiful Gate covets your prayers as they face difficulty in meeting the financial requirements to run the care center with the recent loss of a major international donor. We are in need of gifts to substitute for this contributor who consistently provided 18% of needed funds in the past. We trust that God will replace the loss of this donor with new fruitful partnerships.

It is our desire that you prayerfully consider supporting the work and mission of Beautiful Gate with either a one-time gift or continuing monthly support. Your generosity extends the deep gift of God’s loving care to the children of Lesotho in need.

To give visit our giving page:

http://blog.www.beautifulafrica.org/support-beautifulafrica/

If you would like to contribute by check, our mailing address is:

The American Friends of Beautiful Gate Ministries International
6950 Edison Ave. Chino CA 91710