After a crazy few weeks of celebration, we've spent the past few days after Christmas reflecting on just how miraculous this past year has been. Marked has multiplied in so many ways. From the children we feed to the homes we serve to the community that has been built, we're just in awe of how God has moved so powerfully. This year we've learned a lot, planned a lot, dreamed a lot, and seen the goodness of God through it all.
Today we decided to take you on a journey through our Christmas season. It is so obvious to us that none of this would be possible without the support and partnership of all of you. As you hear these stories and see these pictures, we hope that you'll see these smiles as something you invested in, something you had a part in creating. Their joy can be your joy as well. These miracles are your miracles. These stories are your stories.
Last year at Christmastime, we gave over 1,000 presents. And that was a HUGE number to us then. This year, we're so excited to share that we gave over 2,400 presents, more than doubling the work of the previous year. We still can hardly believe it. We celebrated big this year. Santa showed up, we ate meals together as one big Marked Family, and we just had a TON of fun.
From our huge event in the villages, to the visits with our Partner Homes, to our Team Christmas party, it was all just one big party. One big celebration of the magic of Christmas. That Jesus came down to bring beauty into our messy stories. We're just so thankful.
If you have contributed to Marked in any way over the past year, THANK YOU. As we finish out this crazy holiday season, we hope you know how truly celebrated you are. We hope you know that you are a valued part of this big Marked family. We pray that you see the goodness and beauty of Jesus in every moment of 2018.