Championing Children, a commitment to the welfare of young people.
Community Crusader, creating solutions to a local problems or social issue.
Defending the Planet, innovative efforts to preserve and protect the environment.

It was a three hankie evening for me, and some of you know me well, I cry at baby dedications.

I was blessed when the Hero of the Year went to Efren Peñaflorida, a Filipino who gives youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company has 10,000 members who teach basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Team company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.

As a missionary here in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, I see and hear about untold heroes everyday. People who give of their time, energy and resources. Families who have given their entire lives to helping the hungry, abused, abandoned, uneducated and impoverished. Most of the world will never know about these heroes that have never been nominated for such a great reward.

I thought to myself... "How can we all be a hero this Christmas and throughout the year?"

Here are a few practical ways of showing Christ this Christmas and loving your neighbor.

Loving your neighbor doesn't require a huge bank account or selling your possessions and moving to the desert (unless, of course, God is calling you to do that).

1.  Write a note. In these days of electronic communication, receiving a hand written note is a rare treat. Today, ask God to bring to mind someone who could use a little encouragement. Then take a few minutes to jot a quick note or postcard and drop it in the mail, just letting that person know you're thinking about them. ( I like this one hint hint.)
    
2. Use the words Please and Thank You. "Please" and "Thank you" are probably the easiest way to show love and respect for someone else, and yet how often we forget to utter those simple phrases? For the rest of the day, make it a point to be gracious and thankful to everyone you meet.
    
3. Take a prayer walk. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, and pray for your neighbors as you stroll. Ask God to protect and bless your neighborhood, and to show you ways you can reach out to your neighbors with love and kindness. And if you're feeling particularly brave, stop a stranger and offer to pray for them, and it's amazing how grateful people are - regardless of their faith or what they believe about God - people always can use a prayer.
    
4. Volunteer. Chances are your church or community are in need of volunteers during this Christmas season. Example: Soup Kitchens, helping the sick and the elderly, bake a double batch of cookies and bringing them to your local Community Services office, these are all practical ways of helping your neighbors.
    
5. Wait a minute. This is an easy way to show love and kindness: the next time you're out shopping, let the person behind you in line go first. They won't expect your willingness to wait a few minutes, and you'll both feel a little better for the random act of kindness. (This is especially good to do when you see a mom with lots of kids, an elderly person, the disabled or just someone that has less amount of groceries to purchase than you do.)
    
6. Give blood. Every minute of every day, someone in the world needs blood. Much of the blood that is transfused every year is done under emergency or trauma situations. Hundreds of thousands of people each year receive blood components or blood products following accidents, during surgery or for cancer treatments, burn therapy, hemophilia and other blood-related diseases. Several years ago, I was a volunteer for a blood clinic in my hometown of Chilliwack BC, what a blessing it was for me to be a part of something that helps save lives.

You can also partner with Cross Culture Ministries

When you make your donation to CCM, you are literally putting feet to your donations. Whether its a one time gift or a monthly pledge your gift will be blessing towards the work of the Lord here, and you will be helping Tribal Pastors to bring the Gospel to un reached tribal areas of the Philippines.

	Sponsor A Biosand Water Filter 3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease.   43% of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea.   84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 - 14.   98% of water-related deaths occur in the developing world. The BioSand water filter removes water-borne bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other organisms that cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and amoebic dysentery. Read more...
	Make A One Time Donation Cross Culture Ministries has many expenses beyond sponsorships. Darrell & I have dedicated 2 years in the Philippines to establish a ministry center. We have a full-time cowboy (horseman), grounds keeper and support staff needed to facilitate the purchase of horses; training of pastors and horses; daily horse care and feeding; property maintenance, along with many other expenses. Your generous gifts help to sustain this vision on a daily basis.
	Sponsor A Horse "Serving the Lord is an Adventure" - In Nov 2007 the Lord commissioned us to provide a horse for a Tribal Pastor. This past July, we took a hike into the mountains to visit two pastoras. What should have been a 15-minute hike, took us almost an hour. It bacame very clear to us the challenges these dedicated tribal pastors must endure. Many of which travel numerous hours treking over several mountains and rivers just to get to their homes/outreaches. Their only mode of transportation - by  foot or horseback. In less than two years the Lord has blessed this unique ministry with close to 40 horses spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the mountains of Mindanao!
	Sponsor a Pastors Horsemanship Training Program During the last 2 years we learned much concerning tribal culture. It became evident in this last year that tribal pastors desperately need horsemanship training. In June 2009 we hired a full-time horseman (cowboy) who trains our horses and assists us in the training of the pastors. In addition, Dr. Parel a local veterinarian donates his time to  teach the pastors on horse care, nutrition, and organic remedies. As of Dec 2009 we have had 2 groups of pastors attend our horsemanship training. The testimonies that we have received from our graduates have been positive and rewarding, as they have never had this opportunity given to them before. In fact we now have other denominations who are requesting us to train their pastors. View the Photo Gallery...
	Sponsor An Evangelism Mini-Boot Camp Darrell & I have a heart for evangelism! Equipping the "saints to do the work of the ministry" by teaching them first to be witnesses into all the world. Hundreds of graduates have been empowered to "over come their fears with  compassion" for the lost, by using a simple and effective use of "God's Law & Grace" and the "Good Person Test".  Darrell was introduced to the MP3 teaching "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfort back in 2004, it revolutionized his life!  In 2005 Darrell and our son Brent attended a week evangelism boot camp in LA where they had the opportunity to evangelize with a group of 70.  They met Ray Comfort at his office and later witnessed with him at UCLA . Since we discovered this simple, fun and well received way to present the Gospel unto salvation, we "eat & sleep" evangelism! We have many invitations to hold "Evangelism Mini-Boot Camps", however we are limited financially in our own means to conduct them.  Please consider sponsoring an event either in whole or in part.

You can mail your love gifts to:

Cross Culture Ministries
P.O. Box 503, Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 7V5

On behalf of Ron & Bernice, Darrell & I, and our CCM Board of Directors, we pray that you will have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Blessings in Jesus Name!

Shannon Nelson