A young couple, Amber & Billy, pulled up to the Christmas Store for their appointment. They were greeted at their vehicle as someone brought a bag full of gifts for their two little girls. Barry, a member of the visiting mission team, introduced himself to the couple and handed them the 2021 GAP Christmas ornament. He stated that it was a gift from GAP to their family and that we would love for them to hang it on their tree Christmas morning before gifts were opened, and to read with their children the attached card that told the Christmas story.

The couple was excited to receive the ornament and to share it on Christmas. At that moment, Barry looked at Amber and asked, “Do you know Jesus as your Savior?” She quickly replied, “I’m not saved.” He went on to say, “Jesus has sent me the whole way here to tell you how you can be saved. Would you like to hear?” Amber said, “Yes.”

Barry began sharing the plan of salvation using John 3:16 and 17. He then asked her if she would like to pray then and there to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She affirmed and Barry lead her in a prayer of repentance. To his surprise what he heard as the prayer was being repeated was both Amber’s and Billy’s voices. After the prayer, Barry opened his eyes to see the couple both in tears, broken, yet excited about their new found faith in Jesus Christ. Billy shared that they had just been talking about going to church and that now they couldn’t wait to go.

Amber and Billy’s story is just one family that was blessed by Christmas Project 2021. We have also been overwhelmingly blessed by our many donors and sponsors who allowed us to minister to 486 children this year through this program. The Christmas story and the Gospel were shared with every family! We continue to pray that God will use those gifts as visible reminders of His provision and amazing love for each family. All of us at God’s Appalachian Partnership would like to thank you who have sponsored a child and/or prayed for this ministry event. God is at work!