"Fix our eyes on Jesus . . ." Hebrews 12:2 - 3

Dear Friends,
Before we moved to Ventura in May of 1993, a good friend of ours (Bob Phillips) took the Hams sailing off Laguna Beach.  I believe that is when the “sailing bug” bit Kevin.  After that initial jot, Bob and Kevin would sail a few more times.  I believe that is when the “sailing venom” got under Kevin’s skin of course, with Bob’s encouragement.  That is when the two started researching small used sail boats to purchase because it would be a wonderful family outing.  I then received a call from Bob who encouraged me to get Kevin sailing lessons for his birthday.

You know where this story is going . . .yes, the Hams purchased this small used sailing boat and stored it at the Channel Island’s Harbor.  It seemed Wednesdays of each week, Kevin would suggest a family outing out on the sea.  Unfortunately, a small problem developed – Kevin’s wife and daughter did not have the stomach for sailing.  Kevin tried anything to help us with our sea sickness as he purchased pills, but Chels and I would find ourselves going below deck to nap instead of vomiting.   Then, one particular Saturday, Kevin said, “Today, when you start to feel sick, I want you to fix your eyes on the horizon.”

Although that antidote did not help Chels and I with our sea sickness – it did ring of a biblical truth.  Since March 10, 2020, Ventura County got hit with COVID-19.  It turned our world upside down; school closures, mass employment lay-offs, hospitals unable to serve all the patients, medical staff over worked and exhausted.  I can go on and on . . . yet, one evening I heard Kevin’s words from 30 years ago ring in my ears – fix your eyes on the horizon.  Better yet, I was reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words “Fix our eyes on Jesus.”

2020 and 2021 were difficult years and 2022 seems to be following the same track. I asked God for His words of encouragement for me, our family, our staff and board, those we serve and our donors and it was . . . Fix our eyes on Jesus. The text doesn’t say that the waves will not be high, nor that water won’t pour into our boat – but, FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS.  He will love, guide and protect us. Thank you for your consistent love and financial support of City Impact.

Sailing Together in 2022,

Betty Alvarez Ham
President

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