What a story!

I heard a report on my way to work yesterday about a baby Jesus that was stolen from one of the displays at a local shopping establishment. Following the report, one of the radio personalities commented: “Whoever steals a baby Jesus at Christmas is in for some really bad Karma!”.

Every Christmas I ask the Lord to impress upon me a new aspect of what celebrating our Savior's birth means to this world, my family and my own life. Following the “kidnapped Jesus” news report I found myself reflecting on the Gospel storyline, and how it’s packed with drama, intrigue, harrowing escapes, betrayal, dirty politics, supernatural events and dazzling ghost like appearances. It has all the makings of today’s best sellers or a blockbuster movie, yet we are (or at least I am) so VERY familiar with “that baby in the stable” that the event loses the crushing impact that it truly deserves. If the reality shattering power of what Almighty God did through an event that literally defines all prior and succeeding history can be so easily lost for someone like myself that was raised in the Church, it’s no wonder that the world sees little more than a plastic light up baby and good or bad karma during the Christmas season!

So what does Christmas mean for me as I dig through e-mails, respond to phone calls or converse with pastors regarding Cuba ministry? This year I am especially drawn to the name of “Emmanuel” or “God is with us”. The name that the Angel gave Mary for the baby she would give birth to (see Matthew 1). His name exemplified the unthinkable idea that the All Powerful-Creator God would literally be with us in a new, very tangible, and eternally significant way.

I have always been moved by Old Testament passages where God shows Himself to “be with” his people. I think of uncompromising Daniel as he is thrown into a cave filled with lions (Daniel 6); of David as a boy standing before a battle hardened, giant warrior with nothing but a few small stones (1 Samuel 17); of Gideon and a few ill equipped men before a mighty and experienced army (Judges 6-8); of Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego seconds before being hurled into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3); and of Abraham ready to sacrifice his only beloved son –the miracle child that God had finally given him in his old age (Genesis 22). God was with each of them in the midst of unimaginable fear and uncertainty. They couldn't know how things would turn out, and by human standards could only anticipate unimaginable pain, suffering and death. But He was there, exemplified in undeniable movements of His mighty hand. Still, all those things -in fact all of history itself, lead up to that precise moment when God took on the very form of His own creation and was physically “with us” for the specific purpose of salvation in the definitive, ultimate and final sacrifice of His Own Blood.

May the Lord impress upon your heart a new, fresh understanding of what Christmas means and an overwhelming joy of what we have to celebrate in our Lord's birth.

Cuba Pastors Book Project

The average Cuban pastor that we work with will have at his disposal a Spanish Language Bible equating to the English King James version, and a basic Bible Commentary (which can be for the better or worse depending on the author). In the past we have found that shipping materials from the U.S. is very complicated given the state of affairs between our two countries. Nearly any literature arriving to Cuba from the U.S. is seen as highly suspect, often resulting in confiscation or “disappearance” en route.

Thankfully though, our ministry has hundreds of “associate ministry” partnerships throughout Central and South America including various publishing companies that are willing to assist in our goal of providing literature to those pastors who don’t have access to the materials they need.

As we get this new project off the ground we are seeking donors who would like to help offset the cost of printing the materials and mailing them directly to these pastors. If you are interested in hearing more about this project, praying for it or becoming a financial partner, please do not hesitate to contact us or make a donation (see Missionary Support & Financial Gift Links at upper right of page).

Here Comes Christmas!

Just the other day our two year old Nicholas walked into the living room where I was struggling to get the Abegg Christmas tree into its proper corner. As he gazed at the lights, he began to smile from ear to ear and exclaimed: “Daddy, that’s a lot of Christmas!” Both Nico and older brother Jeremy are excited about Christmas, especially the gifts…food…gifts…lights and of coarse…gifts. Claudia and I hope that this year will bring a deeper understanding and wonder of the true meaning of Christmas for the both of them. We do realize that we have to be very intentional to balance out the things they see in the stores or while watching TV with the Historical and Biblical reality of what Christmas means today.

We have found the testimonies of those we serve in our ministry to the Cuban Churches to help in giving our boys a better perspective on Christmas. It was only 10 years ago that any celebration of Christmas was illegal. When Claudia and I first visited the island in December of 1999, only a few lights or ornaments were visible in homes, yet there was an almost tangible sense of awe that permeated the churches as they anticipated celebrating our Savior’s arrival. Today, more lights and decorations can be seen, but still no post-Thanksgiving “black Friday” rush on the poorly stocked stores, no traffic jams around the non-existent shopping malls and no internet access means no online purchases for the perfect gift, even if a $14/month salary could afford them.

As a Cuban pastor once told me: “For us, Christmas isn’t in a box with ribbons, we just can’t do that. It’s found in a simple, dirty manger that shepherds and angels once visited”. –This is a good reminder for my own family as we enjoy the abundant blessings we have this Christmas.

With the year coming to a close, we want to thank those of you who partner with us for your faith and trust in the Lord and what He is doing in the Cuban Church. Thank you again for your support and your encouraging friendship and we hope you have a very profound and merry Christmas

Lessons We've Learned From Our Kids

12-2-07 Lessons #6

1. Fish tanks and cell phones don’t mix. Neither do fish tanks and puzzles, keyless remotes or battery operated toys.
   
2. Unexplained hair loss in a 2 year old does not necessarily mean a disease, just that his older brother is now tall enough to reach the scissors.
3. At the most inconvenient times a small child can have a very long memory and a very loud voice.
4. "Teachable moments" are more like "teachable milliseconds" with three year olds.
5. In the hands of a four year old, a yo-yo holds a strong resemblance in appearance and practice to a certain medieval weapon known as a "mace".
6. Think long and hard before teaching kids how to: -Juggle: they will not necessarily choose soft items (as grandpa Abegg found out); -Fish: when a lake isn’t available, the fish tank is very tempting; -Use volume controls: clock radios become early AM time bombs; -Use flashlights: they will never be there when you need them; -Turn off a garden hose: they are smart enough to turn it on again when you aren’t around.
7. If you want to use the bathroom in private, hold it until the kids are in bed for the night…but even then there are no guarantees!
8. God can, and will speak through toddlers when He so desires, and the faith of a child that Jesus spoke of in Mark 18 is a very real and powerful thing.

For all of our previous "lessons" plus pix please visit our "Lessons from Kids" page.

Post Furlough Thoughts: Our Focus and Passion -The Church

We had just returned from our two month furlough when a friend asked: “So how was your vacation?” I no longer cringe as these questions, but use the opportunity to describe the visitation schedule that a missionary family must keep in order to see the numerous churches and individuals that partner with us. After an explanation, the response is generally along the lines of: “Wow! So are you going to take a vacation now that you’re back?”

The word “furlough” isn’t often used in every day conversation, but the definition relates to a leave of absence, usually from the military for the purpose of recuperation and rest, or to deal with personal matters. Over the years, I’ve had various friends in the armed services and have noted that whether they are on active duty or furlough (aka: service leave), there is an understanding that they are at all times soldiers, under authority, representing their country and responsible for their actions. Yes, we’ve all seen saddening stories of those that do not have this conviction; but the majority take their positions very seriously and with respect. They may be away from their “post” but not their vocation or “calling”.

On this furlough, I was reminded more than ever that our ultimate calling is to the Lord’s Church and His great commission of “making disciples of all nations”. Our specific, immediate duty within that calling may vary, such as visiting partner churches, ministries or individuals as opposed to communicating with Cuban pastors or other Latin Churches. However, at all times we are called to build the Lord’s Church and make disciples, representing Him wherever He places us for long or short periods of time.

During this trip we had the privilege to fellowship with many pastors, leadership teams and church members outside of our normal ministry realm. We come away from this time with our faith encouraged at God’s providence and sovereign handiwork, an increased sense of hope in what He has prepared for our family as well as the Churches we visited, and ultimately a deep love for God’s kingdom expressed through people of all walks of life. Many of the pastors mentioned how they struggle to help those in their care fall deeper in love with God’s work and plan. To make sure that they give Christ the place in their heart that only He disserves, and say “no” to the countless worldly suitors and distractions that compete for their love.

Although many of the external struggles are very different, ultimately the struggles within the US Church and the Cuban Church are the same: Do we Love God more than _______ (fill in the blank), and do we trust Him or are we relying on ourselves? My prayer for the Pastors of Cuba, as well as those we were blessed to spend time with in CA is is essentially that they would have a deep, passionate love for the Lord and His work, one that spills over in discipleship of those under their care, and then is reproduced as their own disciples “Go and make disciples of all nations…”. Please join us in praying this for the Cuban Church, as well as the churches in your own community.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

California Furlough -Tahoe

Jeremy has been praying for snow for the past two weeks. We drove up in clear skys, spent the first day in 70 degree weather and then woke up to 8" of snow followed by two beautifully clear days! And to think daddy was telling him not to get his hopes up. I have a lot to learn from the faith of my child!

Picknick on top of Heavenly Valley Ski Resort

Jason Tumlinson, Lana Tumlinson (Kevin's sister), Ty Tumlinson, Bob & Bitta Abegg (Grandma & Grandpa), Jeremy, Kevin, Claudia and Nicholas.

California Furlough

Upcomming Visit Dates in CA
Contact us for Details (e-mail: kabegg@lam.org)
10/7 Sun: Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
10/12-14 Sat & Sun: Tahoe Forest Church -Truckee
10/19-26 Santa Cruz @ Mt. Hermon
10/21 AM-LCF Santa Cruz.
PM- Open House @ Crawfords in Santa Cruz (contact us for directions)
10/28 Sun: PM: Open house in East SF Bay.
Location TBA

Note: if you would like to hoast a "Cuba Talk" for friends or Bible Study Group etc, please let us know.