From all of us at Helping Hand, we love and appreciate you for what you are to us and to furthering the Kingdom!
We are proud and honoured to serve the Lord along with you.
May you have a blessed and happy Christmas with the Joy of Jesus filling your heart and life!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For the 76 children at our Sunday School in Wolwerivier settlement off the N7, this week was a very special one! We all gathered together, and Kristen (9yrs) led everyone in a prayer and Christmas blessing.

Then – in small groups – all the children came to choose a toy from the boxes! There was a whole lot of chattering, smiles, and laughter! So very sweet and touching. All the children went home rejoicing with goodie bags of sweeties to complete the event!

The children of Helping Hand – together with friends who volunteered to help – spent time creating and decorating PILES of home-baked Christmas cookies! Then – one room at a time – they distributed them to over 140 elderly residents of this care home “Tehuis.” Each one received a cookie pack and a Gospel Activated magazine. Many of these individuals are suffering from loss of limbs, loved ones, and sadly even mental capability. Christmas joy can seem far away when one is facing such daily struggles, and we feel so privileged to have been part of showing them Christ’s Love and Care this season through these gifts, smiles, hugs, and a whole lot of “Merry Christmas”-es!

It was a very very busy and equally happy day as we brought special Christmas hampers and farm-fresh melons to men, women, and children living in two rural communities. We prayed together, and then began giving to each person, one by one. Children from the mission (together with some friends) joined in the event, handing out the goodie packs and Gospel tracts, smiling and interacting, all while wishing young and older a Merry Christmas! There was a whole pack of non-perishables for each person, plus watermelon or spanspek, Gospel material, and of course sweeties and toys for all the children!

We shared the Christmas Story with all our Sunday School children. The book is beautifully illustrated and in both Afrikaans and English. The children loved it!

Much to their surprise they each received their own copy of this special Christmas book to keep. Such a treat!

We were privileged to be able to help supply food for seven families who lost everything in an awful fire. We gave them a variety of foodstuffs together with encouraging Gospel material, and continue to keep them in prayer.

For the ladies at this crisis centre, (at which we lead a weekly Bible study) Christmas came early with special handpicked gifts, treats, and Gospel material. The children also performed several songs for them, adding cheer and joy to this special occasion!

Thanks to many contributions and especially gifts in kind, we had ready over 400 toys and goodie packs for the children of this informal settlement. Then, a kindhearted farmer friend added over 700 spanspek (sweet melons) so that EVERYONE could enjoy a delicious treat! When the time came – with two vans packed – off we went!

All the children were so excited and eager for their treats and toys, and chattered happily as they waited in line. First spanspek for all, and then the children got their gifts! Many immediately began playing with friends after receiving their special present, or opened and sampled the sweet taste of their melon there on the spot. Everyone loved the spanspek, and the colourful toys and sweeties were…