We (Arlie & Noemí Francis) took ownership of our house on Royal Port in June 1983. We are the original owners. No other family has lived here. A lot of life happened in this house. It is now a home. It has been said, “Home is where life makes up its mind.”
The week before Christmas, we decided to invite forty neighbor families to a Christmas Eve open house in our front yard. About half of our neighbors opened their front doors to receive their invitation. Most of those were pleasant and curious. Several neighbors cracked their front doors and stood suspiciously behind them for protection. When no one answered, an invitation was left at the front door.
As Christmas Eve arrived, we had no idea how many people might attend our impromptu gathering. I declared, “We might have two, forty, or none, and I really don’t care. We’re doing this!” Gabe (our son) and I set up the hot chocolate and cookie station. We assembled ten “luminarias” as a visible guide to our house. When all was in place, we prayed. “Lord, this is Yours. Use it.”
Our event was scheduled for 7:30 - 9 P.M. At 7:30 sharp, a car pulled up, and the Pizarro family spilled out. Long-time friends from our local congregation, Wayside Chapel, arrived to help. The children, five in all, quickly learned the fine art of luminary assembly and operation. Each one added their luminary to our display. The Light was displacing darkness. My “luminaria disciples” got into position to train our neighbors to do what we had just taught them.
Making disciples of Jesus is simple. You don’t have to do it alone!
Decide to be a light in your neighborhood.
Engage and equip your family.
Recruit participants.
Open your home, be hospitable, and have a simple plan.
Let God lead the way. Follow Him. Invite others to “Come and See.”
By 9 P.M., about forty people had shown up. Luminarias spotlighted our corner lot, casting a warm glow over the gathering. Neighbors previously “home alone” met new friends, their faces lit up with joy. Standing side-by-side in our front yard, they listened as Noemí told the story of how light displaced darkness in the birth of Jesus. Passing cars slowed to watch what was happening, their curiosity turning into a shared sense of community. “Merry Christmas,” some shouted. Our little choir sang “Silent Night” under the stars of heaven, their voices carrying the song of the season. The expected One has arrived. To the east, lightning flashed across the sky. Heaven applauded, echoing the joy of our shared celebration.
Noemí and I are a part of what God is doing in creatively making a spectacle of Jesus. We want others to experience what we experienced what w experienced throughout 2024, including Christmas Eve. But I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I wrestle with a lack of faith that God will provide for this ministry. I know He has all the resources we need in the pockets of the Church Jesus is building.
If the Lord is speaking to you about joining our financial team with a one-time end-of-year gift or a continuing monthly donation, it could make a huge difference in what we can accomplish. All I ask is that you to listen to what the Lord may saying to you about Disciple Daily. Whatever you decide, we are in His hands.
May the Lord abundantly bless you and those around you in the year ahead.
Arlie & Noemí Francis
The week before Christmas, we decided to invite forty neighbor families to a Christmas Eve open house in our front yard. About half of our neighbors opened their front doors to receive their invitation. Most of those were pleasant and curious. Several neighbors cracked their front doors and stood suspiciously behind them for protection. When no one answered, an invitation was left at the front door.
As Christmas Eve arrived, we had no idea how many people might attend our impromptu gathering. I declared, “We might have two, forty, or none, and I really don’t care. We’re doing this!” Gabe (our son) and I set up the hot chocolate and cookie station. We assembled ten “luminarias” as a visible guide to our house. When all was in place, we prayed. “Lord, this is Yours. Use it.”
Our event was scheduled for 7:30 - 9 P.M. At 7:30 sharp, a car pulled up, and the Pizarro family spilled out. Long-time friends from our local congregation, Wayside Chapel, arrived to help. The children, five in all, quickly learned the fine art of luminary assembly and operation. Each one added their luminary to our display. The Light was displacing darkness. My “luminaria disciples” got into position to train our neighbors to do what we had just taught them.
Making disciples of Jesus is simple. You don’t have to do it alone!
Decide to be a light in your neighborhood.
Engage and equip your family.
Recruit participants.
Open your home, be hospitable, and have a simple plan.
Let God lead the way. Follow Him. Invite others to “Come and See.”
By 9 P.M., about forty people had shown up. Luminarias spotlighted our corner lot, casting a warm glow over the gathering. Neighbors previously “home alone” met new friends, their faces lit up with joy. Standing side-by-side in our front yard, they listened as Noemí told the story of how light displaced darkness in the birth of Jesus. Passing cars slowed to watch what was happening, their curiosity turning into a shared sense of community. “Merry Christmas,” some shouted. Our little choir sang “Silent Night” under the stars of heaven, their voices carrying the song of the season. The expected One has arrived. To the east, lightning flashed across the sky. Heaven applauded, echoing the joy of our shared celebration.
Noemí and I are a part of what God is doing in creatively making a spectacle of Jesus. We want others to experience what we experienced what w experienced throughout 2024, including Christmas Eve. But I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I wrestle with a lack of faith that God will provide for this ministry. I know He has all the resources we need in the pockets of the Church Jesus is building.
If the Lord is speaking to you about joining our financial team with a one-time end-of-year gift or a continuing monthly donation, it could make a huge difference in what we can accomplish. All I ask is that you to listen to what the Lord may saying to you about Disciple Daily. Whatever you decide, we are in His hands.
May the Lord abundantly bless you and those around you in the year ahead.
Arlie & Noemí Francis
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