Christmas Deliveries

“Food Boxes … check,
Candy … check,
Gifts … check,
Walmart gift cards … check”

This is what runs through our heads before we are ready to take off in the 15-passenger vans to make Christmas deliveries. Our deliveries reach from Toppenish (eastern edge of the Reservation) to White Swan (western edge of the Reservation).

Last Friday, Chris, Mary, and I loaded up one of the 15-passenger vans to make deliveries. We knew our route and the people we wanted to see, but we didn’t know then how precisely the Lord would order our steps that night.

Three visits stick out to me that night. The first was the home of a very sweet Christian woman raising two teenagers by herself. She was almost out the door to pick up her daughter as we called her to tell her we were close by. When we arrived she invited us into her home and spoke honestly of her struggles and loneliness. She said she was really glad to get a call from us and know we were coming, as she really wanted prayer. Chris reminded her of God’s Love for her and that we have hope because of his gift of Jesus.

The next home we surprised everyone by our unexpected visit. They were confused that we knew to come over, and I was confused by what they meant. Moments later we learned a family member in their home was going through a crisis. Chris and Mary went to the back of the house where prayer was taking place over the person. I stayed in the front room with some of the children. I knew clearly that God worked out the exact timing of our visit, as we could not have planned it more perfectly. The family at this home was grateful to see us and for Chris’s prayer.

Our last visit was to see a respected elder in the community. We almost missed her too! However, as we arrived to her house, she pulled in behind us. We were invited inside and sat on her couch and listened to her tell stories and what she sees happening on the Reservation because of the work Sacred Road and the teams do. I felt honored to sit and listen to her share what was in her heart, and was encouraged to know that she is loves what we are doing.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

“ ‘And they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:23)