Twas two weeks til Christmas...

Twas two weeks til Christmas,
and boy what a mess;
I'm nowhere near ready,
and I'm feeling the stress.

The attic is empty,
the decorations are down;
But they remain in their boxes
while my wife wears a frown.

The tree is still packed
in its un-opened box;
Lights, tinsel, ornaments
are stacked up like blocks.

"I don't have the time,
I'm too tired," I say
"Decorating will wait
I've no time for today."

Meanwhile I thread
my way through my house;
Quietly, carefully,
quick as a mouse.

Around all the boxes
unwrapped gifts galore;
But not bought in malls
nor found in a store.

No traffic, no crowds
no human interactions;
A point and a click
completed all my transactions.

My gifts came to me
from all over the globe;
While I shoped in comfort
in PJ's and robe.

On Postman, on Parcel Post,
On DHL and FedEx...
Deliver my packages
and save me the backaches.

Bring me toys and games
and techno what-is-its
Bring all on my wishlist,
each item and tidbits.

Without leaving my house
you can hear me exclaim;
"I've maxed all my credit!
Amazon now knows my name!"

So me in my Lazy-Boy
and ma with her knitting,
Had a long, deep discussion
and now we're admitting...

Our house is a mess,
we're not ready yet;
For decorations and purchases
that we'd like to forget.

Do you think that just maybe
this Christmas that we
might forget all about
lights and tinsel and trees?

Instead of a toy
or a scarf or a glove,
Do you think, that just maybe,
this year we might give Love?

Christmas all started
when God came to earth,
Immanuel, God with us,
now we celebrate His birth.

Christmas day is fast approaching
and I've still lots to do;
But I send you my love,
Merry Christmas to you!!

Riding for Jesus...to Vietnam???

Every once in a great while, an opportunity presents itself that has the potential of impacting your life and the lives of others on behalf of Christ. Just a few weeks ago, a Christian Biker brother made me aware of a once-in-a-lifetime mission trip to Vietnam...to travel the historic country, to see the amazing sights, to visit Vietnamese people from all walks of life...to travel over 733 miles from coast to highlands, from countryside villages to thriving humanity-packed cities...all on a motorcycle!

This trip is designed to see the United Methodist Church and our ministry in Vietnam first-hand, to experience Vietnamese culture, to teach and witness the "Good News" of Jesus Christ, to worship with brothers and sisters from the other side of the world and to witness baptisms and renew my own baptism, to engage in ministry with people of villages and emerging United Methodist churches, to be renewed spiritually, and to meet former Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong who have given their lives to Christ.

I will be traveling to Vietnam with the Shawnee Valley Mission team of southern Ohio from April 7-21, 2010. We will fly via Cincinnati to Chicago to Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Once we arrive, we will purchase motorbikes there, and spend 6 days riding from village to village, meeting and worshiping with Vietnamese pastors and lay people, witnessing and sharing the Gospel of Christ, and experiencing the landscape, culture, and people of Vietnam. The motorbikes we purchase will be donated to Vietnamese United Methodist pastors when we return home, the bikes to be used in their ministry in Vietnam.

I don't mind telling you that I am excited about this adventure. What an amazing opportunity to be part of the missionary work of the Church, and to join other Christian Bikers traveling to such a historic land to be a witness for Christ.

I would ask for your support in helping this mission become a reality. First and foremost, I would ask for your prayers...for me, for the members of the mission team, for the Vietnamese brothers and sisters we encounter, for the United Methodist Mission in Vietnam, and for God to change and renew the hearts and minds of all who are involved in this endeavor.

Second, I would ask for your support (if possible)...in raising $4,000 ($2,500 for airfare, hotels, meals, and misc. transportation...and $1,500 to cover the cost of a motorbike that will be donated to a Vietnamese United Methodist pastor). My church, St. John's UMC will be the collection point for all funds donated to this trip. Checks can be made out to: St. John's UMC - Vietnam Mission and sent to the following address:

St. John's UMC
205 North High Street
PO Box 8
Columbus Grove, OH 45830

Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." This is our mission, my mission, and the mission of the church. Help us make this dream mission a reality. Thanks you for your prayers and support.

In His Service....
Gary Ginter