It's the last day of the year. 2024 is about to go into the history books.

It was a crazy year. 

It was a leap year. 

It was an insanely contentious election year. The incumbent was unceremoniously dumped from the ticket and the VP was forced on the electorate without a primary. The winner became the 45th and 47th President. In the process there was a deadly shooting at a rally that wounded him and other attempts were made later, too. 

Wars: All year Russia vs Ukraine (who we supported with billions of dollars in weapons and cash). --- Israel vs Syria, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, UAE, Lebanon, etc factions of terrorist groups: Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, etc. has gone on all year. China has postured and threatened globally. South Korea ousted their President after marshal law was imposed. Syria ousted their President. 

Numerous terror attacks & school shootings around the world.

Prices are insanely high. People are tired. Political agendas are not in the people's best interest. BUT!!!!

Our little church has nearly doubled in size in the past year. We have a Kids Club for ages 3-10 and a team of 6 who minister to them. The church presented bikes and helmets to all the kids. They got new books each week. Adults got DVDs of Pilgrim's Progress and Veggie Tales Little Drummer Boy and new Bibles to those who needed them. We distributed "Little Jesus" and our cards to our community on shelves, tables, desks, and to people we were led to share them with. Our web page got a lot of hits. Our praise team expanded and people we have invited for several years came... and stayed! New people invited new people. More families. We hosted Shop With A Cop again at the Milford Wal-Mart through a grant we received from Wal-Mart. 25 kids of our community were blessed. Whew.... we had a catered Christmas banquet the week before Christmas and a Love feast with fresh baked bread Christmas week.

God is good. Life is hard. BUT we made it as a church community who stuck in there when times were hard. We have seen many changes in 20 years together. And yet God has so much for us to do!

Keep praying. Keep hope alive. Keep moving forward. Keep forgiving. Keep using your gifts, talents and resources. Keep believing!

2025 is unknown, but it is coming.

God IS known and He is coming, too!

Maranatha, y'all! 

Love, Chaplain/Mama Che'