Letter LIVING WELL

Evangelism.

What do you think of when you read that word? Our church is emphasizing evangelism this year - a worthy emphasis. Easter is approaching, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ is on our minds. Why do we evangelize, what does it mean, and how do we go about it?

We evangelize because Jesus told us to (the why). If you have experienced the good news of having your sins forgiven because of Jesus Christ (the what), wouldn't you be excited to share the peace and joy that you have in your life now?

I (Donna) started doing yoga a few months ago, really enjoy it, and know that it has done wonders for my balance and flexibility. I discovered an app that is very good and that I could use at home in the mornings. I tell all my friends about my yoga experience and the difference it has made. Most of us are willing to talk at length about something we love and enjoy. Why wouldn't we talk about Jesus with that same excitement? 

The how of evangelism is a broad topic with lots of different opinions. Our belief is that God uses your passions and every day life encounters for you to share the good news. 

We have found two major ways that God has given us into peoples’ lives and hearts. Because of your support for us, we are able to pursue these passions and callings.

• First - through our marriage and financial counseling and classes. We are humbled that the Lord would use us to share about who He is week after week.
• Second - through the ministry of Wisdom Community School. We learned last year that, even though they sing about Jesus, they really know very little about Him. 

This year, the theme of Camp Wisdom is the person of Jesus Christ. We will teach about Jesus as a Man, God, a Servant, Savior, and our Friend. 

Because of your support for our ministry, we can continue to share the gospel daily in our office. Because of your support, we can take the gospel to the children of Wisdom in a slum in Zambia.

We have our team for Mission Zambia 2014. We have 11 team members from four churches and a wide-range of ages and talents. Those joining us on the team are: Alan and Donna Borkenhagen, Shelby Dunkle, Jacquelyn Edwards, John and Darla Holinsworth, Amanda Hyden, Mary Kay McCormick, and Anita Powers. Please visit our website page for pictures/info on the team.

See more info on our mission needs and details of the mission at this link. We count on your prayers and support to accomplish God’s mission through Living Well.

More exciting news! The concrete foundation for Classroom building #2 is complete! The walls of the building are going up now. We can hardly wait to see the building that the Lord provided through you. Our construction team paint the building on our mission trip. [see picture]

Thank you for your continued support! We could not continue this ministry without you! We love and appreciate you and your support of what God is doing!
Our love in Christ,

Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will raise up the $14,000 that we need to finance this mission.

DECEMBER 2012 Letter - LIVING WELL

Most of us approach Christmas with the strange paradox of excitement and dread, of joy and anxiety. We love the season - the good cheer, the time with family, the music, the celebrations. We dread the shopping, the attempt to keep the reason for the season, the family tensions, the crowds, the money we spend on gifts, deciding what to buy…..

How did we ever get caught up in the frenzy of buying gifts and spending so much money?

Most people believe that the idea of buying gifts may have started in reference to the gifts the Magi brought to the baby Jesus as recorded in Matthew 2:11, ... they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Accounts of St. Nicolas giving money to the poor in the 4th century shaped the beginnings of the Santa Claus tradition.

The examples of giving were 1)as worship and 2)to the those in need.

What would happen if we used those examples as our criteria for giving?

Would our children suffer? Would our dads still have enough ties?

Perhaps this season we might re-evaluate how we spend our time and money to celebrate Christmas. We could look at the messages that we convey about what we value.

When thinking of the investment of prayers and donations of many during the past year, you can rejoice and praise the Lord with us in remembering how they have touched many lives. 

Some of these people include:

• 160 poor, young children in Zambia who can continue to attend school.
• A young boy named Albert who was overjoyed at hearing about Jesus and John who prayed with him in that Zambian slum.
• The marriage of a young couple was restored after almost losing it because of pornography addiction.
• A couple now has sound finances and a marriage that is stronger than ever after being overwhelmed with debt which caused intense marital strife.
• A young girl was able to unload her burden of despair from losing her parents and being mistreated by her caretakers, after hearing Karen share her own story of hardship.
• A couple can now communicate and resolve conflict for the first time after years of hurt feelings and pain in their marriage.
• A woman carrying the burden of years of abuse and pain who can now be a healthy, Christian wife and mother.

The end of the year is often a time when people consider their giving to the Lord in a special way. We are very thankful for the people who support this ministry. These end-of-the-year donations are a vital part of our budget. Please pray for God to supply our needs at this time of the year. [to donate]

You are a valuable part of our ministry! We love and appreciate you and your support of what God is doing at Living Well!

Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray for the Lord to provide the remaining $8700 for our mission to Zambia in January.

NAMES OF JESUS

Names of Jesus - Merry Christmas from Ed and Donna Edwards, Living Well

LIVING WELL, December 2010

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces.
(Isaiah 25:6)

The reality of this verse is a great comfort as I (Donna) go through the passing of my mother from this life to the reality of eternity with our Lord. My mother departed on November 15th. I was fortunate to spend those moments with her as she breathed her last breath. For now, the loss of her physical presence brings great grief in my life. But I believe His Promise even when I don’t feel it.

My mother had a great influence on my spiritual life. I am thankful for the many ways she taught me about Jesus and the way she demonstrated His life through hers. I think of the verse in which Paul wrote to Timothy about his legacy of faith from his mother and grandmother. The same verse could be written of my inheritance. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 paraphrased) The faith of a Christian mother and grandmother is of great value in our lives.

I know that many of our friends, family, and supporters have prayed for us during this time of loss. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this season of life.

As we celebrate the coming of our Lord to earth, we remember why He came.

The Bible recounts many reasons that Jesus left heaven to become a human and walk the earth. Here are a few.

Jesus came:

To reveal or make known the Father:
     All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27

   No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18

To save the world:
    For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

To preach the good news of the kingdom of God:
    But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43

To serve and sacrifice:
   Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

To do the will of the Father:
   For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38

To destroy the work of Satan:
    The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8

To become a high priest and atone for sin:
    For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17

To proclaim freedom for believers:
    The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18

To give abundant life:
    I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

In December each year, many of us either make special donations to ministries or perhaps catch up on donations before year’s end. Without you and others standing with us, it is not possible for us to continue the mission the Lord has given us to strengthen marriages and families through the services of our ministry including personal guidance and classes. Would you please prayerfully consider including Living Well in your end-of-year contributions? Your prayers and financial investment enables us to move forward in 2011. (Click here to donate)

Know anyone who needs to get a better handle on their finances? We have a class starting January 4th on Tuesday nights in January. (Click here for details) Our love in Christ,

Merry Christmas! We pray that you have an opportunity to spend time with your families. May the enclosed book mark aid you in celebrating and worshipping the fullness of who Jesus is.


Donna and Ed Edwards

P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.