The December 2000 Newsletter

FROM THE MANAGER by Lee Martinez     CHRISTMAS GREETINGS from our staff     Looking Ahead to this month's programs.     Happy Birthday to our broadcasters.     Letters from our listeners.     WCIF Day Sponsors -those who underwrite the cost of an entire broadcast day.     Pastor of the Week heard weekdays at 5:30 pm.

INVITE A FRIEND TO LISTEN FOR THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS! 106.3 FM - YOUR CHRISTMAS MUSIC STATION!

FROM THE MANAGER
Lee Martinez

Tell someone about your plans to visit Jamaica and you get a pleasant smile and sometimes they offer to go along. Tell them your purpose is to visit a landfill and dump and you get a reverse reaction. "Why?" "Are you kidding?" And then comes that look that says they're questioning your sanity.

I don't blame them. My first impression about being invited to the Riverton dump of Kingston was similar. "That's alright, I know what a dump looks like, I don't think I need a personal visit." Then when Food For The Poor invited me and other broadcasters to spend 3 days with them in that area I wondered if it was a comment on how long it would take a broadcaster to visit a dump. I feel I catch on pretty quickly, why wouldn't one day do?

Well, I finally agreed to one of the last tours, set for late October. I was one of eighteen who would spend 3 intense days in and around Kingston. When we first arrived and looked at the agenda I was impressed with how well organized they were and the number of ministry visits we would be making each day. 

The dump was scheduled for a portion of the second day. There were at least a dozen places we visited with names like: His Place; The Lord's place; Mustard Seed Community; St. Monica's Home; North Street United Church and The Salvation Army. We were there to see the need as well as how Food For The Poor was ministering to the needs. I found out that if they were ever to rename FFP they should consider "Everything For The Poor". I have never seen such poverty and need. Every place we visited ministered to different needs. There was a place for those rejected by family because of age or illness. There was a leprosarium. There was a place for the severely disabled. There were training centers equipped by Food For The Poor so
students could learn a trade and make a living. There was a Salvation Army soup kitchen distributing meals from the back of a large van, which made a number of stops each day to feed the homeless. 

Our visits were designed to give us hands on experience and to show us that Food For The Poor has been busy in the eighteen years they have been in Jamaica. I learned to appreciate their efficiency. Many times they recognized those who were already filling a need but could use help and they would join them by providing supplies and encour- agement. The man in charge of feeding the homeless acknow- ledged that if it were not for Food For the Poor his ministry would have to fold. 

I came away from the entire experience very impressed with Food For The Poor and their people. I also saw people who were destitute and there is no government aid. Nothing but God's mercy through His servants keeps many of them alive. I don't get emotional much or easily but there were times when there was just no way to keep from being touched.

I'll also never forget the tears induced by a cloud of tear gas. We were in areas that were not only poor but also unstable where the authorities would use strict means to keep order. We had inadvertently come near an incident and were downwind of the problem area. The residents of the compound we were visiting disappeared into their rooms as soon as the cloud drifted over the wall toward us. Since there were no windows I'm not sure how much help that was to them. After we left and had time to recover, I felt sorry for the residents, wondering how often they had to take cover.

By the time we reached the landfill and the shantytown near it, we were all impressed by the fulltime commitment of Food For The Poor. What we had seen and were about to see would be enough to make you throw up your hands in discouragement. Thank God there are those who cared and could see a way through to those who have the need. People there really are living in tin and cardboard houses. And where Food For The Poor has stepped in there is a sense of hope and a much healthier atmosphere. There are enough homes established now to see the before and after contrast and it's the difference between night and day. I am so grateful that God has given us the opportunity to help through our listeners. As you know WCIF has committed ten percent of this year's contributions to housing through Food For The Poor. This helps your contrubution to us go beyond our need to those who have an even greater need.

Lee J. Martinez

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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!

It is with a grateful heart that I approach this Christmas. I am so thankful that God has saved me and will have me live with Him forever. I am thankful and grateful for the spirit of brothers and sisters in Christ that are closer to me in many ways than my physical family. It's so wonderful to be able to share the good and bad times with those who are ready to pray for you and help you in your times of need. It is with this gratitude that I wish all of the listeners of WCIF a happy and blessed holiday and new year. You folks are very dear to me and your letters of thanks and encouragment very often "make my day". Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift! 

- Billie 

The Best Ever - It's going to be hard to give and receive a more fulfilling Christmas this year than last, but I believe it's going to happen. One reason a more satisfying Christ- mas awaits is because a couple of my friends accepted Christ as their Savior this year and seeing them acquire this new excitement over celebrating Christ's birth has put extra joy in my holiday season. Other reasons Christ- mas could not be any better this year is I know where to purchase fresh fraziar fir trees that will keep the whole house smelling like Christmas for weeks, my Christ- mas shopping is finished way ahead of schedule. I have more family in town this year and my black lab has lessened last year's gift of a dog house to just a bone. The only thing that could make it more com- plete would be a full day of snow. And believe me I won't hold my breath on that one. I sure hope your Christmas is full of joy, happiness and surprise. May this Christmas be the best you have ever had! 

- Scott

Well, it's been an interesting year! We started the year quite anxious about Y2K. Would all the lights go out on New Year's Day? They didn't. And we thought we'd know who the next President would be on Election Day! We didn't. Yes, times and seasons seem to come and go so quickly these days. The things we get anxious and upset about most often pass by like a puff of smoke in a stiff wind. The often anticipated Year 2000 has come and gone. Has anything really changed? It hasn't.

Or has it? As a society and as individuals, we have learned a great deal. Through the Y2K transition we learned that through intense and cooperative effort on an international scale, catastrophe can be prevented. Through the election debacle, we have learned that every single vote counts, and that what we do as individuals has global implications. As we prepare for the holidays, we recognize that the Christ of Christmas came to offer salvation to the whole world. But more importantly, He came into the world to offer salvation to you and to me. Each individual life is vitally important to Jesus, even as great nations rise and fall and the future remains uncertain. As for me, I am thankful this Christmas that Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever and that He loves me unto eternity. I hope you are thankful, too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- Cliff

As you take time to celebrate Christmas I pray that God will show you how to "spend well". May you be thoughtful and frugal in finding that perfect gift for that special person you have on your list and heart. May you plan well so that you can spend time not only around family and friends but also with them, connecting heart to heart, so that you come away with lasting good impressions. May you start early focusing on the meaning of Christmas, which God intended. May God's gift of His Son take first place. May you invest time relating to the One who makes all good things possible. May you know how much you are appreciated and thought of from those whose thoughtfulness and appreciation bring you comfort and joy. God has said He loves you in so many ways.

- Lee

Recent events have reminded me of God's redeeming ransom of my soul. In April we had a car accident that could have been fatal - in fact I heard recently of a similar event were the person did not survive. God intervened and although I wonder why, I most of all thank Him. It reminds me of His Wondrous love that would send His Son Jesus to die for our sin that we might be redeemed for all eternity. It's easy to wonder why He would love us so, but I thank Him. As we come to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ how does His gift of redemption affect you? It is offered as a gift that whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus Christ) should not perish, but have everlasting life. Receiving or rejecting is not God's decision, but our own. We have no promise of another day in our earthly form to accept His redemption. Now is the time - Jesus came as a baby as we celebrate at Christmas, but He died and rose again that we might be redeemed. What about you? Celebrate Christmas with Christ in your heart. Rejoice that you can say "His child, and forever, I am". and thank Him. 

- Martha 

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Looking Ahead

KEY LIFE
(weekdays 6:15 a.m) 
Steve Brown
Steve's Old Testament survey continues with Deuteronomy and Joshua through December 14 followed with some Christmas specials. Old Testament survey resumes December 26 with Joshua and then Judges.

INSIGHT FOR LIVING
(weekdays 8:30am & 7:30pm) 
Chuck Swindoll
A Series The Masters Plan For The Church Runs through Dec- ember 20 with a break for Christmas Messages and then continues on December 27.

GRACE TO YOU
(weekdays 11:00 a.m.)
John MacArthur 
The Promise of Christmas is the series December 4 -19. The series True Happiness airs December 26-29.

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Happy Birthday

Each month we list our broadcasters that have birthdays that month. We encourage you to remember these friends and their ministry with special prayer on that day.

December 12
Dr. J. Leland Hall
Daily High Light
Monday-Friday 12:00 noon
Saturday, 11:50 a.m.

December 17
Ron Hutchcraft 
Threshold, Saturday, 4:30
A Word with You, Weekdays, 3:25 p.m.
P. O. Box 1818
Wayne, N.J. 07474-1818

December 31
Don Johnson
Afterglow, Saturday 10:30 p.m.
6223 Lochlevin Cove
Memphis, TN 38119

December 31
June Hunt
Hope for the Heart, Monday through Friday
10.00 a.m, P.O. Box 7
Dallas, TX 7522

January 18
Jim Grossman, WCIF Engineer
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

January 18
Dr. Larry Bazer
Sunday School Lesson, 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Worship 10:45 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday
P. O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

January 31
Cliff Lethbridge, WCIF Announcer
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902 

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Letters

MELBOURNE - Blessings to WCIF. Your station has been a blessing to us for many years, and we know it blesses many others throughout Brevard County and further! We are temporarily living in Osceola County and still receive it well.. God has blessed us immensely and we feel led to share this offering with you, to use as God directs.

MICCO - This check completes the pledge I made during your Sharathon last spring. Thanks for being there, I love J. Vernon McGee and your music and other programs.

SATELLITE BEACH - Thank you all for the lovely music I hear on your station. I enjoy the statement "Where Christ Is First".

PALM BAY - God bless and keep you. Enclosed is just a little Thanksgiving gift to say thank you for being in my house every day. I cannot see myself without WCIF.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CLIFF LETHBRIDGE as he begins his ninth year as announcer at WCIF!

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Thanks to our Day Sponsors who have underwritten the cost of a broadcast day on WCIF. If you or your church would like information about being a Day Sponsor call 725-9243. 

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Pastor of the Week

A program featuring pastors of local churches heard weekdays at 5:30 p.m.

December 4-8
Pastor Ron Barbour 
Community Baptist Church, Sebastian

December 11-15
Pastor Michael E. Lyle
First Church of the Nazarene, Sebastian

December 26-29
Pastor J. Wayne Vaughan
Rockledge United Methodist Church, Church Rockledge

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725-9243
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VOLUME XVIII, No. 12 Free subscription sent upon request

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 14:36

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

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