Dear friends,

What a blessed season of hope it is for us who are in Christ Jesus. Our Lord humbly laid His glories aside and was born a tiny babe in a lowly barn. Bethlehem's sky filled with wonder as the angels announced the Lamb of God's birth to shepherds who were (likely) tending the Temple's sacrificial lambs. May our hearts fill with the same wonder and worship as we celebrate His coming. May our hearts bow low before our awesome God who is worthy of all praise and honor.

What a wonderful time of year to announce the birth of little Israel Aniel, pictured above. He was born November 24 weighing 8lb and 6oz. Little Israel wasn't always "desired" and "wanted" by his parents, but God has a wonderful and miraculous way of changing hearts and minds when His truths are boldly proclaimed. Mayra, his mom, made four different appointments to abort little Israel. She came to the killing center, and hour's drive from her home, four separate times. But God was all over Mayra and would not let her go. He wrestled with her heart again and again. God used faithful, unapologetic Christians to witness and announce His truths at the abortion clinic. He used kind offers of help and mercy. He used the wonderful services of the doctors, nurses and staff at Northgate Family Medicine in Concord, NC. And He used YOU to bless her with all kinds of baby gifts!

Mayra ADORES her little son and so does his father, William. You've never seen two more thankful and devoted parents! His grandparents, too, are thrilled to welcome him into their lives and family. He's the first boy born into the family in two generations and he is very loved!

Often, what starts as an unplanned, unwelcome crisis becomes a great blessing when we open our hearts to God and ask Him to enlarge our vision. Thankfully, that is what Mayra and William did. Miraculously, God broke through their fear and selfishness with love and faith. God has met their needs and is working in their lives for His good purposes. They are currently receiving Biblical counseling in pursuit of marriage.

Mayra and William will never, ever forget the way God sent Christians -- complete strangers -- to speak truth to them at a very critical, watershed point in their lives. They will never, ever forget how Christians -- complete strangers -- generously met their practical needs with mercy, asking nothing in return. They will never, ever forget the Gospel message which has been spoken to them, written to them and demonstrated to them in very tangible ways. 

In 2007, Truth & Mercy had 26 baby showers for moms and families who have spared their children's lives -- more than double the 12 showers last year! These showers are abundant and lavish, providing everything a mom and baby might need: cribs, car seats, strollers, swings, bouncy seats, bath tubs, 2 years worth of clothing, toys, books, diapers, wipes, toiletry items, bottles, formula, pumps and more. Thank you for giving. Thank you for equipping me to minister and serve these families. Thank you for defending the unborn, God's littlest and most defenseless ones.

Scripture tells us that true religion is defending the cause of the weak and fatherless, caring for the orphans, rescuing the weak and needy and delivering them from the hand of the wicked. (James 1:27 and Psalm 82).

Little Israel was indeed rescued from the hand of the wicked. To God be the glory!

A debtor to His mercy, Sheryl Chandler