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Hi Lisa,
“For what I received I passed on to you….”
I Cor 15:3
A couple of days ago, my wife said to me, “I’d like you to make your mom’s Christmas (sweet) bread again this year.” It has been a few years since I’ve done this and, as soon as she said it, my mouth started watering. My parents passed away many years ago now, and I frequently reflect on the rich traditions they passed down to me. Some of them have to do with Christmas. Even more of them have to do with faith, hope, love, and service.
Last week I was in Lititz where all sorts of trainings were taking place: Leadership, Office Managers, Cooks, and Construction. My goal was to consider how we might bring Construction training to Canada (all the other trainings have happened in Canada at one time or another). As I watched all these trainings happening simultaneously, I found myself sitting back and reflecting on the great need for more training and more leadership back when I began with MDS (2015). As I watched the staff in Lititz run these trainings, I have to say, I was amazed at the work MDS Volunteer Training Specialist Gabby Bomberger and the volunteer team are doing. The dream of more trained leaders is being realized!
My other reflection was about how appreciative I am of our MDS Canada “parents”—MDS in the U.S. We have benefited in countless ways from the traditions passed down from MDS. It is the most natural thing in the world for me to go and observe how MDS is doing Construction training, before we embark on hosting our own.
As you host your Christmas gatherings and include the faith and traditions that have been passed on to you, may you know the hope, peace, love and joy that has been passed onto us because of Jesus’ coming. Have a blessed Christmas.
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