and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering
December 11, 2009 (Friday)
Her name was Charlotte, but everyone called her “Lottie.” 
Her last name was Moon. She was only four foot three inches tall, but a bundle of dynamite. She was an enthusiastic person who gave her all to any and every project of which she became a part. She was born in 1840, and at the age of 33, went to China as a missionary. She served 39 years. Support came from Southern Baptists, but often hard times at home prevented the mission board from sending any financial support. She shared what little she had with others, and literally starved to death. When she was down to 50 pounds, her fellow missionaries put her on a ship bound for the U.S.A., but she died in Kobe Harbor, Japan, on Christmas Eve, 1912.
An annual offering for missions around the world at Christmas time is named for her. The goal for Southern Baptists this year is 175 million dollars. The goal for our church is 5000 dollars.
I’ve been told that 82,000 people around the world come to Christ every day. Only 6000 of those are in Europe and North America. Other nations are seeing the greatest number in history turn to Christ as Savior. The fields, Jesus said, are white to harvest. Even more people will be reached for Christ because of mission work sponsored by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.