Blessings Livingsong Family,

Before sharing a brief update of where we currently are, we first wanted to include this short thank you video which includes some very special 2022 moments of ministry. We hope you’ll take a moment to watch it! 😊

We send you our love and greetings from the beautiful mountain region of North Carolina. It is truly breathtaking here, with scenic drives, and amazing hikes for the few days we have had off. In the past, we have traveled through states feeling as though we had missed so much of the beauty there is to see in God’s creation. The extra time serving here has definitely allowed us a few incredible moments to enjoy just a preview of what God has made. If we are not careful, we can go from one day to the next preoccupied with a mindset of “what’s next”, without pausing to consider the present. January was a busy month of ministry indeed, especially in the recovery community, but we also made an intentional effort to create quiet moments to be still. The dense mountains here have a way of reminding us just how small we really are and how big God truly is. For that matter, the ocean too, looking up at the vast sky and countless stars that testify of God’s eternal and immeasurable power. So then it is to our benefit to create these moments to be still, breathe in the blessing of life, and remember how big our Heavenly Father is.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20) This is the truth that can be clearly seen all around us in creation if we take a moment to pause and notice. We all need to be reminded from time to time because difficult circumstances, fears, and doubt can distort our perception and even convince us to falsely believe they are bigger than what God is able to do! If we are honest, we all struggle with this from time to time, to various degrees, but God remains the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His love endures forever and He will not be moved, regardless of our circumstances, amen? When you need a reminder of this, take our advice and go somewhere away from distractions and be still in the appreciation of His creation and hear Him say “Be still, and know that I am God”. Setting this time apart with God is good medicine for the soul, and will set your perspective in this right place. The God we serve is immeasurable, He has no beginning and no end, and there is no force more powerful than the love He has for you.

So what’s next?

With the Lord’s blessing, we are continuing northbound to our next destination, Virginia.   We will be covering familiar territories to serve alongside dear friends in recovery/homeless ministry, but also connecting with new recovery support programs, rehabilitation centers, shelters for the homeless, and prisons.  If you missed our map on last month’s newsletter, here are the states filled with an image that are on our route this year.   If you are in any of these states and would like to serve with us, please email us at livingsongministry@gmail.com.   Preparations are prayerfully considered for effective outreach in each state but your prayers are greatly appreciated and your wise counsel is always welcomed.

In closing, we continue to be humbled by the family and friends of supporters the Lord has blessed us with. Your partnership for this mission work to advance the Gospel of Christ does not go unnoticed! Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and giving towards this mission. Through your support we were able to minister in Vilas, Black Mountain, Marion, Morganton, Charlotte, Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina. As well as Columbia, Elgin, and Greenville in South Carolina for the month of January. To all our missionary hospitality friends, and churches who have permitted us to park and rest overnight, thank you and blessings to you. Finally, as you may have recently seen on news media platforms, there seems to be a spiritual shift occurring, especially in Generation Z believers. It is definitely uplifting news for us all who pray for revival. We encourage you to stay posted for our next newsletter where we will be sharing some thoughts we feel are noteworthy regarding this topic. Until then, let's continue to pray, repent, and seek His face. We love you and never cease to thank our Heavenly Father for you. God bless.

In Christ Alone,

Manny & Erika Garcia

Livingsong 

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PRAISE REPORT

•  January birthdays to mention, Happy belated Birthday to our faithful mentor, ministry partner and brother in the Lord, Pastor Dennis Jones. We love you Pastor Dennis!

   

• We praise God for every invitation we receive to join the body of Christ in corporate worship, fellowship, and to share the mission the Lord has called us to. Two church families we would like to thank on this month's newsletter are our new friends from First Advent Christian Church in Morganton, and Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Vilas, for the return invitation to give a mission report. 😊 God always amazes us to meet our need through His faithful children. Thank you so much for your generous gift of support.

   

• The blessing in traveling much slower, is the more time you can have with new friends, and the opportunities the extra time allows you to build each other up. Several new friends from Elgin came to this recovery support gathering in Columbia for this special evening of worship and testimony. Sharing the personal journey God has brought you through can feel daunting if you've been through some things that are difficult to share. Transparency is never easy, but remember that your testimony about coming to Christ is so important, because it can lead others to Him as well. 🙌

PRAYER REQUEST  

• Prayers lifted up for Turkey and Syria. God Almighty, as the survivors of this unspeakable recent tragedy face the reality of the earthquake’s aftermath, please make Your presence known. Please Father, comfort the brokenhearted. Lord, please lead every rescue worker to find those still missing and shelter those who have been displaced. God please reveal Your precious Son to every lost soul, in Jesus name.

• Would you please pray with us for our grandmother/in-law, Enory Manrique. She has recently been diagnosed with Dementia. Also please lift up her caregivers in prayer as well.

   

• Prayers for the men and women who responded to our invitation for repentance and to receive Christ as Lord in every recovery support program and shelter we were able to visit throughout the month of January.

TESTIMONY 

"Thank you both SO MUCH for ministering to our men the past two nights. It will be something they remember for years. We're so grateful for your ministry and how the Lord is using you to help those walking through difficult seasons in their life. Hope you have a Merry Christmas! Many Blessings"

Justin Broome, Miracle Hill Rescue Mission Greenville SC