With the holiday fast approaching, I have found myself a total stranger in a new city.
I had the opportunity to attend Christmas in the City Friday night. The sidewalks were filled with shoppers, carolers and lots and lots of teens running around having a grand time. I was busy with Care-A-Van Ministries handing out delicioius brownies and hot chocolate. It was a fun filled evening.
I must say it was not easy finding the public restrooms in the mall among the crowd. Thank goodness for good ole reliable JC Penneys! I came home exhausted and chilled from standing on the streets.
This morning I got up and got ready to go to another event in the city. It was the Christmas gathering of the local Aglow Women's chapter.
What is Aglow you ask?
What is Aglow? (taken from www.aglow.org)
• Aglow International is a transdenominational organization of Christian women that some Christian leaders call a “global movement”
• Aglow is established in 172 nations on 6 continents, all of which have indigenous women overseeing the work in their nations
• It is one of the largest international women's organizations, with over 4,600 fellowship groups in the U.S. and internationally.
• An estimated 200,000 women meet together each month through local Aglow fellowships--the heart of the organization
• More than 21,000 Aglow leaders worldwide minister in their communities
• An estimated 17 million people each year are ministered to through Aglow groups
• Aglow consists of small group studies, care (support) groups, retreats, and annual conferences
• Aglow women, through prayer and evangelism, offer practical gifts of clothing, food, housecleaning, and babysitting, as well as mentoring young women
• Aglow women impact their communities by reaching out to women in prison, in senior homes, inner city neighborhoods, and mental institutions; to single moms, working women, all beginning with the woman next door
• Aglow has experienced rapid growth in the past several years, including the nations of Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
• In Europe, Aglow is established in every major nation (40 nations)
• An active Aglow program in Europe called “Adopt-A-Nation” gives many of the Western European nations the opportunity to “adopt” other nations for support and/or prayer
It was a great meeting. The local group Remix performed.
I had to leave the meeing early to go and do street ministry with Care-A-Van. As I was leaving one of the ladies that was at the meeting met me at the door. She asked me if I had a place to go for Christmas day. She had heard that I was new here and was worried I would have no place to go for Christmas. Now how sweet is that? This woman opened up her heart and home to a total stranger.
How many of us welcome total strangers into our lives? From the time we were little, our parents warned us to stay away from strangers. Yes, we must proceed with caution but we also must remember to love others and share the joy of life with them.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas day, the birth of our Lord Jesus, here in the city of Batavia may we all look to share the love with total strangers.
I am thankful for the warm welcome I am getting from folks here in the city. I am going from being a total stranger to being a member of a new family! A big family at that, the family of the city of Batavia. Halleluiah for those who have warm hearts and open them wide!
