The 82 children at our Sunday School last week listened and laughed and learned as we shared the story of the Good Samaritan – which our Helping Hand children helped to act out! After the lesson we reviewed memorized Scriptures, and all together sang songs like “He’s Got the Whole World” and “Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like Me”. Then with fresh bread in hand, the little ones happily headed home!
When we showed up at this youth skills training centre and halfway house, both the house “fathers” and young people enthusiastically poured out to see us! As we unloaded and showed off the different things we brought, one after another there were exclamations of “yes! Just what I wanted” (skateboard) and “no way…movies!” (upon seeing several boxes FULL)
One young man just stood for a moment looking at the crate of dumbbells, stretch bands, and other exercise equipment. The one house father came over to us and said quietly “He works out to clear his mind… just the other day he made dumbbells out of bricks and rope because that’s all we had. This is going to be amazing!”
Two of our full time missionaries – David and Amy – spent time weekly uplifting children through coaching sports and teaching music respectively. They pray with the children before their music lessons or sports matches, and by God’s Grace are able to be mentors and fun positive influences in the lives of these kids. Some of the parents have even shared that their children are more interested in knowing and following Jesus than ever before. That’s what it’s all about!!! (1 Corinthians 10:31)
We were blessed with a whole lot of lovely potatoes, onions, and carrots, which the children of Helping Hand were part of giving out to many needy families! And we even had enough to give a large load to a children’s home housing over 130 little ones!
A farmer friend suddenly called us up, saying “the Lord told me to give you watermelon from my harvest!” We drove out, collected a vanload, and then spent the next two days distributing these delicious special treats to crisis centres for women, quadriplegic homes, an orphanage, a soup kitchen, and to the children at our Morningstar Sunday School!
Looking forward to another year of challenges and victories, struggles, answered prayers, miracles, Love, and Joy! 2024 here we come!
“Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!” shouted the hundreds of children from this desperate and dangerous community, only minutes from areas of prosperity and plenty.
Although this event wasn’t originally part of our “planned” projects, thanks to the Lord’s bountiful supply – not only of toys but of food and treats as well – we were able to bring Christmas to these families who largely missed out. Someone donated potato, pasta, and fruit salads, which we dished out on the spot. Another person had given lovely goodie bags with juice and treats! There were muffins and bananas, story books, CD’s, and Gospel tracts with the message of Christmas, plus special baby-&-child-safe sanitizer. A dear friend even added ice lollies for all the children on this extremely hot day. Such a treat!
So many people are lonely, sad, or hungry at Christmas, and it is a time of year when such lacks are most keenly felt. So, as part of our Celebration, we focused on bringing the spirit of Christmas – God’s Love – to as many as possible. It was our gift to Jesus and others!
We put up an invite sign on our gate and served a special Christmas meal – complete with dessert – to anyone who came in. Some friends also brought over several trays of delicious home-cooked food to add to the meals; God bless them.
Some of us (together with our Helping Hand children!) packed many trays of food into vehicles, and drove around the neighborhood, serving food to those in need. The reactions were so beautiful!
We also took a meal to the local police station and fire station; a small way to thank these community servants for all they do throughout the year. We are so grateful to have been on the ground, spreading Christmas Love to these dear ones. Over 100 people got a delicious meal, a “Jesus Loves You”, and a Gospel message. What a Merry Christmas Day!
