Sarah held the phone to her ear, listening intently to her friend, Mrs. C., an asylum seeker fleeing severe government persecution in Myanmar. They first met back in 2015.

Married to a seaman with several children born American citizens, Mrs. C. and her husband were still waiting to hear whether they'd be granted permanent refuge in the United States. A simple clerical error denying work permit renewal for both of them two years ago had drastically increased their struggle to survive.

How can anyone survive without permission to work?

"Is there any update on your work permits yet?" Sarah inquired. It made her heart deeply sad to watch her refugee friends suffering unjustly. She had prayed fervently for months that God would rectify this situation.

"No, we haven't gotten them yet." Mrs. C. responded calmly. "We've talked to our lawyer, but we're still waiting."

"Would it help if I talked with your lawyer?"

Mrs. C. accepted Sarah's offer and the conversation turned to scheduling their next in-person visit. "How about Saturday?"

"Well, that won't work because we have something going on at our church. It's an all-day event, so we'll be there the whole day."

This was the first time in seven years that Mrs. C. had turned down a visit due to a church event. Knowing they identified as Christians and were connected to a church, Sarah had offered to pray for their various needs through the years, but Mrs. C. didn't usually talk about her personal faith.

A deepening relationship with God

As they chatted further, Mrs. C. revealed that her family had become very involved in their church. This deepened her relationship with God in new ways.

"You know, Sarah, through going to church, I'm learning to pray more. And through prayer, I have hope for a better future and am learning patience."

As Sarah said goodbye and hung up, frustration at the injustice of the work permit situation filled her heart. In tears, she paused to pray yet again. "God, this is just not right!" she lamented in tears.

Transforming prayer

As Sarah prayed, God brought Mrs. C.'s words back to her. "Sarah, through prayer, you can also have hope for a better future for your friends and learn patience."

"You're right, God, I tend to get frustrated with daily annoyances, but my friend has just modeled what it looks like to be patient in tribulation and joyful in hope. This turns my perspective upside down. Thank you. I trust you with these work permits and a better future for my friends in your time."

God hears.

Three weeks later, Mrs. C. texted Sarah. "My work permit came."

Sarah rejoiced with her friend at this long-awaited answer to faithful prayer.

Missionaries are our greatest asset.

Relationship is at the center of God's plan to rescue the world. That's why we celebrate Christmas - the day that the Creator of all things and the source of Life itself chose to be born into the human family and live among us.

And that is why missionaries (like Sarah) are our most valuable asset. They are like shepherds, waking up every day to walk alongside of people who have lost their place in the world and are in need of hope and refuge.