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A Christmas Reflection and New Beginnings
Christy Ho
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Christmastide!
(And in case I don’t catch you again before the New Year, Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you warm and filled with joy!)
As we celebrate this season, may we pause each day to reflect on the great love of the Lord, who sent His only Son to bring us into a relationship of peace and love with God. I pray that peace, joy, and love overflow in your life and in your family’s this Christmas season and beyond!
Dorothy Sayers says in The Man Born to be King:
“The incarnation means that, for whatever reason, God chose to let us fall... to suffer, to be subject to sorrows and death. Yet He has had the honesty and courage to take His own medicine... He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He Himself has gone through the whole of human experience—from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair, and death... He was born in poverty and suffered infinite pain—all for us—and thought it well worth His while.”
Hebrews 4:14-15 reminds us:“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
And Isaiah 53:5 says:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.”
As I’ve reflected on these verses over the past couple of months, I’ve faced many fears. Yet, standing above them all is Jesus, our great High Priest. He understands my weariness, my anxieties, and He calls me to come to Him. Each time I’ve leaned on Him, I’ve found His peace—and more importantly, I’ve rejoiced in the peace He has given us, the peace proclaimed in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: "God and sinners reconciled." My true peace rests in the completed work of Christ and in God Himself.
I wanted to share a few updates with you about what has been happening in my life recently:
Ministry Partnership Development
Sharing with brothers and sisters at ACC, ACC-SW and Galveston Chinese Church
The past two months have been filled with many conversations—one-on-one, in small groups, and in larger gatherings. I’ve been amazed at how God has worked in unexpected ways to provide and bless throughout this journey. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, encouragement and generosity from the Church. Praise the Lord! Thanks to your support, I’ve now reached the financial goal necessary to purchase my pre-field training in North Carolina. With your partnership, I’m excited for this next big step forward in preparing for the next chapter of my ministry!
The Goodbyes
Walking out from the center on my last day!
As I’ve shared with some of you before, I tend to feel things deeply—imagine Sadness from Inside Out, dialed up a bit! Saying goodbye has been especially bittersweet as I wrap up my time at the autism center, where I’ve had the privilege of working since 2017. There are so many clients, families, and coworkers I will miss dearly.
I am truly grateful for the 10 years God has allowed me to serve, walking alongside children, adolescents, and young adults with autism. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach learners communication, social skills, and other important life skills, in hopes to provide them with enriching experiences in their communities and with their families.
My love for children with special needs runs deep, and I will always hold them close in prayer. I also rejoice with the families I’ve had the privilege of working with, celebrating the growth and progress we’ve shared together. I’m deeply thankful for the sweet ways He has provided space for me to transition, to reflect, and to say goodbye. The lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years will stay with me, and I’m confident that the children are in the hands of a wonderful team—and, above all, in the loving care of the Lord, who loves them more than I could ever comprehend.
A new season lies ahead, and I’m excited to see what He has in store!
ASDP and S*
I last shared some updates on what I’ve been learning in the ASDP (Austin Stone Development Program). I continue to be challenged in deeper ways about the realities of sin, the work of Christ, and the role of the Holy Spirit.
An update with S*, my neighbor with whom I’ve begun having spiritual conversations, although it was disappointing that we couldn’t align our schedules to meet for a meal, God opened two unexpected opportunities for meaningful conversation. Both moments were clearly “divine appointments” that I couldn’t have planned. Both times, I was on my way to pick up groceries at HEB, and both times I felt the Spirit gently nudging me to pause and lean into what S* was sharing rather than rush on to my next task. These conversations turned out to be deep and rich. I shared the gospel with S*, and we both left the conversations eager to meet again.
Please join me in praying for her that she would come to experience the immeasurable riches of his grace towards her in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
On another note, I’ve completed the fall semester of ASDP, and I’m grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned. I’m especially thankful for the friendships I’ve built through the cohort, which have reminded me that the journey of faith is meant to be shared in community. I continue to be amazed by how the Lord weaves what I’m learning into opportunities to experience Him in deeper ways and to share with others. I’ll be taking a pause from ASDP in the spring semester to focus on pre-field training in the new year.
Ministry Update in Thailand
Let’s celebrate what God has done in Thailand!
Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea"
Praise the Lord for:
13 New Churches
500+ New Believers
60+ Discovery Bible Study Groups
New Beginnings
Looking ahead to next year, Lord willing, here’s the plan:
January – Time with Mom and moving bit by bit to Dallas
January 10th – February 10th – Pre-Field in North Carolina
March – Goodbyes in Texas and New Beginnings in Thailand
Prayer Requests
Pray for the ministry in Thailand, that it would continue to be guided by the Spirit’s work among the partners and the Thai Church!
Pray for S*, that she would come to know the Lord and see Him as the most precious gift above all else. Pray that my roommate and I can have her over for a meal.
Pray for my training in North Carolina that I would grow and be prepared for the work ahead.
Thank you all for walking alongside me in this journey. Your prayers, encouragement, and support mean more than I can express. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I’m so grateful for your partnership in this mission.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season filled with peace and joy, and a blessed New Year ahead.
I couldn’t let y’all go without sharing a picture of my cat totally in love with the Christmas tree! :)
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