Joseph Lister is known as the ‘father of antiseptic surgery’, developing antiseptic solutions which treated wounds after surgery which thereby reduced the number of deaths from post-operative infections caused by microbes invisible to the human eye. We are used to the many signs in hospitals nowadays urging us to wash our hands with antibacterial solutions to avoid spreading infection inadvertently through touch, so it is hard for us to imagine the battle he had to make people believe infections could be prevented through such a simple procedure as washing hands.

Washing hands is so commonplace today that it is hard to comprehend just how many lives were lost in times past because of a simple lack of hygienic procedures. Yet we continue blithely with our spiritual lives, failing to realise that there are evil spiritual forces as invisible but as deadly as invisible bacteria, seeking whom they may devour.

God has given us the ‘antiseptic protection’ we need to defeat these spiritual forces and avoid spiritual infection, but just as we must physically do something (wash our hands in antibacterial soap) to avoid physical infection, so there are spiritual practices we must do to avoid spiritual infection.

1. Give thanks. This simple practice (1 Thess 5:18, Eph 5:20) is easily overlooked when facing trials. By giving thanks in all circumstances, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, love and care and look for His deliverance and protection, rather than relying on our own strength.
2. Love Jesus, not the world. When we love God, our priorities are shifted and we learn to value eternal things above material and temporal things, protecting us from the enemy within (sin), the enemy around (the world) and the enemy above (the devil) – see 1 Jn 2:15-17.
3. Love God’s people. Natural infection often leads to isolation to avoid the risks of infecting others. It is easy to believe that isolation from other Christians is the answer to the problems we often face, but God’s way is never to withdraw from fellowship, but to seek the more excellent way of love (see 1 Cor 13.) Other Christians protect and strengthen us from being drawn away from Christ, offering challenge, support, encouragement and fellowship.
4. Be washed in God’s word. Eph 5:26-27 reminds us that God’s word as a cleansing agent, washing us so that we will ultimately be presented to God without any stain, wrinkle or blemish, ‘holy and blameless.‘ Though God’s word may sting us like an antiseptic (see Heb 4:12), it has power to lance the poison of sin from our souls and keep us clean and free from infection.
5. Pray continually. By keeping the channels of communication open between us and God, we are able to access all the resources and power of God Himself. We are not alone in our struggles, but have a helper who is mighty to save!

We have just received a letter from Bedline, though it is not clear if this was written before the hurricane or not; we are still waiting for further news about the impact of the hurricane on the area in which Bedline lives.

In her latest letter, Bedline writes about her friends at the project, Magna and Nelson, Samantha and Rosemarie. She is looking forward to Christmas and enjoys decorating for that season. It’s good to be able to pray not only for Bedline, but also for her family and friends, who are also supported by Compassion. As we think about Christ’s advent in Bethlehem, we are thankful that we can make a difference to one child in Haiti and thank you all for your faithful support.

Compassion is running a free online Advent calendar which gives further information about the work they do and gives stories of the children they are helping. Behind each door of the Christmas advent calendar, you can discover brand new stories from Compassion-supported children, inspiring videos and fun activities. Why not have a look?

It has been a privilege to spend time with Fredrick and Reeba this weekend and week, planning for our missions’ trip to India. Last night, the eight of us who are going to India had a meal out with them and began to make more definite plans for what we will be doing out there:

Our time there will involve visiting a number of different churches, speaking to pastors and women’s groups, visiting the tailoring programme and orphanages and also visiting people (especially Hindus who may be afraid to come to church but who are seeking God) in their homes. Fredrick and Reeba have kindly visited people while they are here, praying for those who are not well and who need God’s healing and help.

It has been good to talk about life in India in order to prepare ourselves for the trip. Bangalore is a city of 9 million people (London’s population is just under that) and Fredrick has spoken of the differences between ministry in the city and in rural areas (which the team hopes to visit during the second week.) Indian values are very family-oriented and British influence can still be seen there (they drive on the left and their electricity supply runs on systems adopted from the UK), but of course, the Christian population is in a minority compared to Hindus and Muslims and there can be real opposition and persecution to Christianity.

During their stay, we tried to show them some of our local history, taking them to York, where we had lunch at Betty’s, a very famous tea shop with Yorkshire and Swiss roots:

… as well as educating them about York’s ‘chocolate history,‘ including the influence of the Quaker families Rowntree, Cadbury and Fry in running a successful business whilst pioneering revolutionary care of the workforce (instituting pensions, holiday pay, sick pay and accommodation which included leisure facilities.) Garry was particularly impressed with the notice giving the health benefits of chocolate (!) and Fredrick and Reeba enjoyed decorating chocolate lollipops, telling us that chocolate is not particularly popular in India, with sweets and cakes being made there in abundance, but not chocolate.

We also showed them some of York’s famous churches, including York Minster, first opened in the 7th century, so an iconic landmark in York’s history.:

Please pray for Fredrick and Reeba as they continue to visit friends and family in the UK before returning to India next week where they, like us, will be busy with plans for Christmas celebrations and outreach. Pray for them as they plan for our trip in April and for us as we save money, pray and prepare for our visit there. We have given them a financial gift to help purchase more talking Bibles and sewing machines for the graduation in January and are looking forward to being able to partner with them in their different ministries in Bangalore and beyond as we go into 2017.

The official reminder that the Christmas Market is coming soon!

Outside on the market stalls there will be craft stalls, food stalls (if you haven’t got your chutney from Turner New Leaf, they will be selling it at the market!), a bouncy castle, Santa’s Grotto and much more.

Inside in the church building, there will be crafts to buy and make, raffles, tombolas, the donkey piñata, plus the opportunity to have your Christmas presents wrapped and home baking and refreshments (including luxury hot chocolates, topped with marshmallows or flakes!) to sample. All proceeds from the church activities will go to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, helping local families in need.

This is a great opportunity to see the community work together. At 6 p.m. we’ll be holding the ‘Churches Together’ carol service outdoors, so do come along and join us for this. Put the date in your diaries now – Friday 9th December, 4-8 p.m.

We had a birthday to celebrate tonight.

It was a tremendous privilege to have Fredrick and Reeba with us today. This evening, they spoke about their work in India. Reeba gave thanks for the support we give to the tailoring programme, which now runs in two cities (with a third programme due to launch soon in Reeba’s home province), providing skills and equipment to help women become self-sufficient. Fredrick spoke of many Hindus coming to faith, including a taxi driver whose whole family has now turned to Christ and been baptised. They are using talking Bibles to help those in rural areas and the disabled; we gave a gift which we hope will be used to purchase more of these.

In speaking from Luke 2:8-11, Fredrick reminded us that the birth of Christ tackles all our fears and His arrival brings great joy. Jesus is our provider, our redeemer and the one who brings joy, but Christ has to be born in each one of us. He abolishes the caste system so prevalent in India because He breaks all man-made systems and reminds us that every single person has inestimable value. Gal 3:28 reminds us that there is no distinctions any more; we are all one in Jesus Christ. No one is excluded (Matt 1:23), for He was born for all and is a Saviour to all, One who gives abundant life to all who believe.

Jesus brings peace in our lives, despite the many challenges we may face. He wants us to make the most of the opportunities He gives us. When the tailoring ministry started, they had nothing – no machines, no area for teaching – but God supplied all their needs. First of all, God gives us a vision for what He wants, but then we have to persevere through the challenges to see Him supply all our needs. As people respond to the challenge, God supplies the need: ‘where there is a vision, there is provision.’

Christ’s birth was also the sign of God’s favour. His favour rests on us (see Ps 103:14) and because of this, we can respond to all the challenges ahead of us with confidence and faith.

Fredrick and Reeba with a church member:

Enjoying fellowship over a meal after the service: