For many students, this past academic year has been a struggle. Constant issues with internet connection, uncertainty of what the next academic year will bring, and social distancing from both family and friends have made this time of year perhaps the most challenging yet. But there is a song being sung, a song of hope in Jesus to a melody that brings comfort and joy - “Te alabare (I praise you).” It was the song sung during the 2020 Riverside Tree Zoom Christmas party. All the students were excited to play games, share stories, and praise together- there was even a surprise message from one of their sponsors and a memorable rendition of Joy to the World and Feliz Navidad. The Riverside Tree students prayed for one another to receive encouragement and strength from God to complete their studies well and continue the work He started in them. In a time where hot cocoa and panettone are usually shared together, these things were not missed in the slightest. All that was needed was the love for one another in the presence of our great and loving Father God! In 2021, there will be a few more students that will join the Riverside Tree family, so if you are moved by Holy Spirit to help support one of these students, please contact the HHK WMC to see how you can start!

What can be more encouraging and memorable than the moment a sponsor and their sponsored individual meet? For more than 25 years, the summer mission trips were an opportunity for participating missionaries to meet children or youth who they sponsored. Usually accompanied by tears of joy and loving words, these meetings were the fulfillment of countless letters where each side expressed the desire to meet in person. With the situation in 2020, the summer mission trip was canceled and the hopes of many sponsors eager to meet their sponsored child dashed. However, hope is never lost when God is working. A new opportunity presented itself as a means for sponsors to be able to meet their sponsored individual. The end of October marked the first time sponsors in the United States were able to video chat with their Riverside Tree students in Peru. Love was transmitted across a thousand miles as stories and prayers were shared and jokes were made during this priceless time. The first two Riverside Tree students who participated, Enoc and Job Abraham, were delighted to be able to meet their sponsors for the first time ever. They now wait in anticipation for the next time they will once again talk with their loving sponsors. These video meetings have started for Riverside Tree students and their sponsors, so if you are currently sponsoring a student in Riverside Tree, please look forward to being connected with your student soon!

A month ago, I tested positive for COVID-19, but I praise God for the complete healing. As I was feeling completely recovered, my friend Joseph, told me that his uncle, who also happened to be my neighbor and an unbeliever, was also infected with COVID-19. When I heard about this I was convicted and determined to share Jesus with him. I was reminded of Job in the Bible. No one wanted to visit him while he was greatly suffering. The same thing is happening today with COVID-19 patients. No one wants to visit you; even the medical personnel for they are too scared. I know this was God given opportunity. As I shared the Gospel with my neighbor, it was different than times before. I was confident the Lord was speaking through me. I told him, “Repent of your sins. You need to repent of your sins and receive Jesus into your life.” As these words left my mouth, he began to cry. The Holy Spirit was working in his heart. The family is very wealthy business owners, but none of that could save them. By the power of the Holy Spirit my neighbor repented and accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord. I told him that God is not one who comes and goes, but that He would now continually be with him and is able to restore and renew his life. Now he is recovering as well and I was able to take a picture with him. Praise the Lord! Like in the story of the prodigal son, I believe our Father rejoiced as he received a lost son who returned into His arms!

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