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A letter from Eric and Becky Hinderliter serving in Lithuania

Advent 2014 - Grace Moments

“Išganytojau tauta”                            "Savior of the Nations, Come"

Prakartėlė naktyje                               Brightly does your manger shine
Skleidžia šviesą tamsoje.                     Glorious is its light divine.
Jau Tamsos aš nebijau,                      Let not sin o’er cloud this light;
Nes tikėjima gavau.                             Ever be our faith thus bright.

Greetings from Klaipeda, Lithuania.

We have reached the darkest time of the year.  Less than seven hours of light daily.  On some days the sun hardly shines at all.  Advent can be a dark time.

In this darkness we wonder how we are doing.  We are closing in on 14 years here as mission co-workers for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As we think of the gift we have been given through this call by God and affirmation by the church that has sent us, we can only be overflowing with gratitude.  Years ago, when we were in Louisville at the national offices of World Mission, we were asked at the end of the mission appointment process how we felt.  We could only respond about how we felt with one word: “Redeemed!”

We have said many times that our attitude as mission workers is one of gratitude.   The Reformed Church here in Lithuania uses the Heidelberg Catechism as a central confession. The Catechism reminds us of the three things we must know—how great sinners we are, how we are saved, not by our own doing but by grace, and how grateful to God we should be for our redemption.

A winter's day in Klaipeda

So this Advent season, we recount the grace moments we enjoyed this past year and so we give thanks especially for:

  • The visit of the mission delegation sent by the Presbytery of Carlisle to Lithuania

  • The marriage of our son Paul this summer

  • Successful surgery and relief from pain

  • Our loving marriage, now 43 years together and hoping for more

  • The record number of gifts this year to our PC(USA) mission accounts from congregations and friends.  Thanks, friends, for your faithful giving.

  • The opportunity to meet daily with the eager and trusting young people who participate in our classes at LCC International University

  • All your cards, letters of encouragement, news clippings and packages that announce, "You’ve got mail"

  • The faith God has given us to persevere these many years in this work and witness

  • And the hope that God has sent us through his Son Jesus Christ, the light of the world

Bringing light to Advent

Friends, a light has entered the world and is overcoming the darkness.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:10-14).

Thanks again to all of you for supporting this ministry with students from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states.  We invite you to continue this support through notes of encouragement, prayers and financial gifts to our mission account at PC(USA).

May your Advent season be a blessed time. Have a Merry and Joyous Christmas.

Eric & Becky Hinderliter

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 313
Read more about Eric and Becky Hinderliter's ministry

Write to Eric Hinderliter
Write to Becky Hinderliter
Individuals: Give to E200361 for Eric and Becky Hinderliter's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D506434 for Eric and Becky Hinderliter's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).

Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480.  This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!

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