Merry Christmas!

 

Brian's Roofing Accident

 

Dear Friends and Family, 

It’s been 12 days now since Brian’s roofing accident.  Stepping into an unsuspecting hole covered by a thin sheet of insulation, my friend Rebecca and I heard a scream.  Running to the back of her house, we found Brian on his back groaning in pain.  "I heard my femur snap!" he managed to say between rapid shallow breaths. We quickly called 911.  Soon the ambulance and fire truck arrived. They gingerly slid him down the ladder on a rescue stretcher and rushed him to the emergency room. At Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, they put Brian’s leg in traction, which greatly relieved his pain. Thankfully, Brian received excellent care as he underwent a 4-hour surgery the following day. We appreciate all the prayers from those who knew of his accident and covet your continued prayers as he undergoes a four month healing process. The doctor and physical therapist say Brian is doing well.  He has a wonderful attitude, determined to give thanks in all things.1(see footnote)  He’s even decided to work on finishing a book he started, since he won’t be able to walk normally for a few months.  

The future looks bright.  Wonderful new doors are opening up in Asia. More news to come as this unfolds.  Meanwhile, we will continue to work remotely on our seminars and relief work in Mozambique.

Prayer requests

Pray for Brian’s speedy recovery

Pray that physical therapy will get him back to 100%

Pray for funds to pay our $5,000 insurance deductible and $3,000 co-pay. 

Pray for our ongoing ministry to 1,000 refugee families in Nampula, Mozambique.

Donations by mail:

Transforming Lives Ministry

1908 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

Electronic Donations:

Paypal and Zelle are under pastorbrianwood@gmail.com

Cashapp is under $TransformingLM

If you can't go to the city - go to the "bush, bush".

The latest lockdown in Mozambique began two weeks ago, to everyone’s dismay.  But our seminar teachers responded enthusiastically with, “We want to still continue!  The people are hungry for the Word and want to still gather together! We will go to the far out-lying areas where the government is not patrolling.”  We weren’t sure about their safety, but chose to honor their courage and determination.  Here are some pictures of one of last week’s seminar gatherings in the “bush bush.”  

Interview from Mozambique

Praise God our team in Nampula, Mozambique is equipped with a truck, supplies, and permission from the governing officials to once again start giving out relief to the refugees! They’ve been directed to help the most needy - 1,000 newly arrived families who have escaped from the northern region where insurgents continue to rampage the area.  We have enough funds to help around 750 families so far, giving each one a hoe to start a vegetable garden, soap, rice, beans, oil, spices, pan, plates, cups, and a bucket to fetch water.  We are also in process of finding gospel tracts in their languages.  The president has called for another lockdown, stricter than ever, but because we are giving relief, the team is allowed to be out helping the people and sharing the gospel!  Last weekend was the first of 17 distributions, as each one can only have 60 families maximum.  

Personal Encouragement

It appears that when we get a revelation of God’s love for us, we are then motivated and able to share His love and “be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God…able to accomplish more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”  Hallelujah! 

I encourage you to meditate on these verses - maybe check it out in several translations.  I’m particularly enjoying this in the New Living Translation.  They are so rich and life-giving.  Enjoy!

Eph. 3:16-20, “I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  Your brothers and sisters in Mozambique thank you too.  

Much Love,

Lorena and Brian

Japan for Jesus

Our daughter and son-in-law, Danielle and Cody, are currently missionaries in Japan.  We are so proud of them, leaving the States to go to one of the most difficult mission fields and learning one of the most difficult languages in the world.  This month, they will complete the 5th quarter of their intensely challenging, 2-year language school. Recently, Cody was given the honor of sharing the meaning of Christmas to their entire school and staff of around eighty people, completely in Japanese! Many had never heard the name “Jesus.” 

It hasn’t been easy. Cody has been working full-time remotely while attending language school with Danielle. Studying the language has taken a majority of their time, typically 8 hours a day of class time, commute and homework.  Danielle and Cody are now able to read and write a certain amount and manage basic life skills like shopping, paying bills, and getting around town - all in Japanese!  

 

As Japan is one of the most expensive and difficult places for missionaries, they wanted to first financially invest in themselves before asking others to do so. However, Cody’s remote job is now no longer available.  

 

Cody and Danielle have a vision to reach the youth and business community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  A Scottish missionary who died of malaria serving in an Arab country wrote, “I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.” With similar hearts, Cody and Danielle have a passion for Japan. As one of the most unreached nations in the world, it is steeped in the darkness of depression, suicide and hopelessness.  In order to reach these amazing people with the love of Jesus, these serious issues must be addressed.  They are currently developing an evangelistic strategic to restore families, build healthy marriages, and rescue those on  the verge suicide.  

Also on their hearts is a vision to be a part of a missions movement to Japan by building an infrastructure to help a multitude of missionaries enter the country. Read about their process and plans in their own words at codyanddanielle.org.

We would love to see Cody and Danielle be full-time missionaries with the freedom to commit all their time to missions work and language learning. Unfortunately, due to Covid-related border restrictions, they are unable to return to the States to raise support.  As they step out in faith, trusting the Lord to provide for their needs, we invite you to join us in supporting them this new year of 2021.  If any of our friends and family would like to contribute monthly or with a one-time gift, we have listed ways to give at 

https://transforminglivesministry.org/services/

Also if you would like to receive their newsletters, you can request them directly by writing them at codyanddanielle@gmail.com.