Our morning started early as the sun rose and Gabriel showed up to the house to pick us up. Off to our first school in our ugly Christmas sweaters we would go.

We arrived to the MARKED community center ready to pack the van full of gifts and for Santa and his elf to get ready for their grand entrance.

Once the van was packed, Santa and the team marched through the streets bringing Christmas cheer.

We arrived at the school where the kids were waiting to start their Christmas posada. They didn’t know we would be coming. Hundreds of kids lined up for their big surprise. Moment Church brought balloon animals, face paint and bubbles to play with the kids, while the local mamas cooked up meals for anyone that wanted to eat. A clown show was had, games were played, and the music cranked as we passed out treats. To end the afternoon Christmas extravaganza, each and every child received a gift.

We did this same event 4 times at the different schools, for almost 2,000 children. It was beautiful.

Many have asked why the need for a gift, and that resource could be spent else where, and our response to this is this beautiful story.

“This year (name removed for privacy) came to us and asked if we would take her shopping to buy her children a Christmas present. This would be the first time in her entire life that she or anyone in their family would buy a gift for someone else. That it wasn’t out of obligation but a desire to be generous with what she has been given.”

The desire to be generous with what she has been given.

That right there moved us to tears. It isn’t about the gift, though for most it is the only gift or item they will receive for themselves all year, if ever, but for us it is about demonstrating a culture of generosity. It is a core of what we believe. That a culture of generosity will always pay for itself. Sometimes that looks like money, sometimes it looks like gifts, but more often than not it looks like time. Whatever way we get the opportunity to demonstrate generosity throughout the year is a win for us. And something we will always say yes to.

So from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to those who made Christmas possible. Your generosity is bringing powerful transformation to hearts and lives.

Photo credit: Dakota

To see more highlights head to our instagram @hellomarked and check out the highlights of the day!