When you have thousands in your network, Christmas is a month long event. And though we are now well into January, we are just finishing up and starting to get back into our ‘normal’ rhythm.
However, we still have a few more events we wanted to share with you!
So here is Christmas part 3.
Every Friday, we have hundreds of kids who attend our weekly programs, consisting of a meal together, a lesson, an activity, hygiene education and more. It is a time for us to learn not only names, but stories, who their families are and a more detailed look into their personal lives. This is a time for us to not only give back, but to slow down and learn. It’s a place of safety, and laughter. A place where these children and families alike are learning more in-depth what it means to be a family. And for our team, where they learn to slow down and love deeper despite the heartache and pain of the stories they are now entrusted with.
Our team requested we do something more personalized for the hundreds who attend weekly, so they set off and made a plan and executed beautifully. They partnered with our local church in Guadalajara, Origen who personalized and stuffed well over 300 boxes filled with toys, clothes, hygiene products, food and more.
When the day came, we began our weekly activities per usual, only this time they had one surprise after another wrapped into their usual activities. I don’t think there was a quiet moment this entire day no matter how hard they tried. The squealing could have been heard for miles. At the end of each groups activities, we piled them all inside one of the rooms in our village base, sat them down, and told them that someone who loved them had gone out and hand picked gifts specifically for them. That their names were known.
One by one, we called out their names, the room filled with cheers and applause. Gifts were given. And soon after ripped into. Every child excited for the next. Laughter, tears, and tangible excitement filled the air.
Thank you’s and hugs and a quick hurry out to show their mamas what they were given, as the next groups lined up outside waiting for their turn to see what all the excitement was about.
Next week: Christmas part 4
