The management and staff of Loaves & Fishes Christian Store thank you for your support and prayers, which enabled this ministry and business to continue for 26 years. Our greatest desire has always been to impact as many people as possible with the Word of God and the salvation message — and then direct them to good Bible-teaching churches in the area. We have truly been blessed each time a life changed because of a Bible, book or product we introduced them to.

It is with a heavy heart that we have had to close the store due to the changing economy, the impact of Internet stores, and the opening of smaller church stores in the area. Our customer support dropped over 34% since the first of the year. The increase in the Vista sales tax in April was also an impact.

Our concern has been for our employees and customers. May we suggest that you support the other local independent stores in North County? Without you, they too will not survive. They are Blessings in Carlsbad (760-434-8755), Fallbrook Christian Store (760-728-1600), Chronicles in Encinitas (760-942-3358) and Peace Be With You in Oceanside (760-822-6732).

Steve and I have not been idle as we have discovered it takes longer to close a store than open one. We are waiting on God¹s leading as we sort through the remnants of Loaves & Fishes and grieve for the loss. We continue to help friends and family with projects and have graduated after attending classes for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). We will be actively pursuing job searches the first of the year, as we still have a mortgage to pay, food to buy, bills to pay, and a hungry government to support (yes, we still have a sense of humor).

Please know that we will miss you so much, but trust our paths will cross again as we continue in God¹s work. We hope and pray that you will remain strong in your faith. May your Christmas be as exciting and wondrous as the day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas and God¹s blessings for a fruitful New Year.

         Steve and Dannie Haemig

         Oceanside

Listening to secular media, one would view Christians are a bunch of ignorant hypocrites who read a book written by men. Ironically, the same critics of Christianity embrace magazines like Mother Jones, People and New Yorker as if divinely inspired. Funny thing is, I once thought Christians were fools. Of course, that's before I began reading the Bible and realized I was the fool.

Interestingly, I still am apart from God. So, if you see me in church or locked in a closet face down and sobbing, you'll know why. As for hypocrites, yes I am capable of hypocrisy. The good news is God nails us foolish Christians on it.

That's the cool thing about knowing God. He loves us enough to confront us. Yep, God doesn't stand by and clap as we walk off a cliff. Hence, when a Christian confronts you about what is right, don't be offended. We're not intolerant. We're hoping you'll understand we've been where you are. We know where you are going. We want to tell you there's a saner, safer route.

And in case you're wondering, if you don't take that route, we won't chop off your heads.

         Kim Oakley

         Valley Center

Let the mudslinging and persecutions begin — it's the New Year! But guess what? It's that year again. Olympic year? No, but that is this year. Give up? Actually, it's the big Presidential Election year. Yes! It's going to be a year of bias, hype, and blame-slinging in politics. "Bush did this and that. Let;s get the Democrats in office in 2008." Know what I mean?

It may be the year of persecution for the truth and righteousness for Christians. One issue of big importance and concern is the sacred institution of traditional marriage vs. equal rights for gay marriage in California. I can sense this year the Democrats and Republicans are really going to be at it, more than ever before in any election.

I wish the politicians would stop moving the primary elections from one date to another all the time. It doesn;t make sense. But, hey: what are you going to do? It;s all about the votes. That;s all they want from you. Vote godly and wisely or don;t vote at all. God bless.

         Clinton Wolford

         Poway

This is a commentary about "Giving honor to our military" written by Mary Froese in the October edition. She's saying "every drop of blood you have shed, you've shed for me – for a free society." Also, she said, "The military is giving school supplies and food." Then she ended up by saying to "give honor to whom honor is due."

With all respect, ma'am: the military is killing people by convenience, not by reason. The military is doing nothing good for the Iraqi people, neither for us. The military is stealing our children's money. The military's purpose is to steal the Iraqi people's oil. That's the truth of the real reality. So, how can you call them heroes – the people who destroy your house and your city, to steal our property?

         Manuel Cabrera

         San Diego

I don't remember the first day and night I was on the street, but I remember plenty of them. I don't recall any of it being particularly easy. I did not do drugs or alcohol. I read the Bible, I prayed, I held Bible studies in the park, in parking lots.

The homeless pray, believe me. But, they are very beaten down — scaled and peeled — what Isaiah talked about. A people like that, weak and feeble. There you are. Jesus people. They know Jesus through pain and suffering.

No, we are not what we should be. Jesus said, "The harlots and drunkards are going to heaven before you." Scary.

America, for the most part, has become the Laodician church. I'll stay with the homeless.

         Francis Love

         San Diego

The recent two-part series on the child sex slave business should have been a shocker to all who read the details of this abhorrent trafficking. Those who are struggling to end this outrageous war against children should be commended. However, we need to recall other wars that have been waged and lost: the war on poverty, the war on drugs, the war on terrorism and so on. When you try to stem the economy of a country and perverted desirers you are in treacherous waters.

Sex tourism is a lucrative global industry. In 1998, the International Labour Organization reported that 2% to 14% of the gross domestic product of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand derived from sex tourism. In addition, while Asian countries, including Thailand, India, and the Philippines, have long been prime destinations for child-sex tourists, in recent years, tourists have increasingly traveled to Mexico and Central America for their sexual exploits. Now, San Diego is not only the gateway for drugs and illegal immigrants, but child sex slavery as well.

Years ago, I was approached by a woman who claimed to be a Christian and was attempting to rescue boys and girls from the sex slave business in the Philippines. She wanted me to go undercover and document what I witnessed. All expenses, and a camera would be provided. There was one caveat, if those marketing the children discovered what I was doing, she would deny having any knowledge of me. Basically, I would have been left on my own in an extremely dangerous situation. I desperately wanted to be part of this rescue operation, but knew that it could cost me my life. The woman was upset at my refusal, even offered me more funds for my service. The best I could do was pray for the victims.

The Bible says it all, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9. By nature, men are predators and it¹s one more case of supply and demand. This assault on the innocent will continue until Christ changes hearts and minds, or until He returns.

         Andrea Bearden-Kuhns

         Leucadia