For the children at our Sunday School in Morningstar settlement off the N7, this week was a very special one! Little Isabelle from the mission joined us, as well as two volunteers! First we set up an impromptu nativity scene, complete with lots of “sheep” making noises, angels singing, and shepherds gathering around “Joseph” and “Mary.” We followed with a refresher of the Christmas message and meaning of the season – JESUS!

Then all the children received their own wrapped Christmas present, and oh what excitement as scores of children tore the wrapping to reveal the gifts within! (a few children kept their gifts wrapped, saying “I would like to open this with my mother at home.” So very sweet and touching. All the children went home rejoicing with goodie bags of sweeties to complete the event!

It was an incredibly happy and busy day as we brought special Christmas hampers to men, women, and children living in two rural communities. Two of the children from the mission joined in the event, handing out the goodie packs and other foodstuffs, all while wishing young and older a Merry Christmas! There was meat, pies, cereal, bread, veg, fruit, sauces, instant soup, rusks, tea, coffee, juice, and Gospel material – and of course sweeties and toys for all the children!

Working into the evening to hand out to each and every person, our team was delighted to be a part of bringing the Love of Jesus to these ones at this wonderful time of year.

For the ladies at this crisis centre, (at which we lead a weekly Bible study) Christmas came early with special handpicked gifts and jewelry, labeled and paired to each lady’s personality and likes. They also each got a personal note with Gospel material, and were thrilled and thankful almost beyond words!

One morning, we suddenly received a call to come collect donated bread – as it turns out, over 200 loaves!

Then, a man we have been ministering to for several years, (and who finally accepted Christ after nearly passing on from Covid) decided spur of the moment to give us a whole lot of beautiful carrots!

We prayed about where these unexpected foodstuffs would be the biggest blessing…

From the time we got the list with names, ages, etc, we worked hard to prepare gifts for each boy and girl at this small underprivileged creche. At last, event day arrived! A few of us, together with little Helping Hand member Isabelle, arrived and set up at the creche. We spoke to the children, giving a Gospel message about Jesus’ great Love in coming to earth, and the reason for the season. We invited all to accept the gift of salvation. 24 children and one of the teachers bowed their heads right there and prayed! What wonderful and priceless gifts back to Jesus!

Then came the jumping castle play, games, and fun! And of course the kids’ presents/goodie bags and teachers’ hampers were received with a whole lot of joy!

For this large project for 500 people, there was a lot of preparation and action all the way from planning to packing to loading to distributing! Many miracles brought it all together, and it was a great success indeed! We had enough donated meat for all the women in the settlement, and that was already wonderful. But the Lord had more in mind! Only three days before the project…

It is really a privilege to be able to regularly assist Mama Rosie and her orphanage – which is home to over 120 children – with much needed foodstuffs and toiletry items! She and her team work faithfully and long to uplift so many children both physically and spiritually, so being able to partner with her to keep the orphanage running is truly a joy!

It was a warm and happy morning with plenty of fresh milk and many bread rolls for these boys and girls to enjoy after their Bible lesson. It is always special to see the excitement and smiles; proving what a treat simple staples like a cup of cold milk or some fresh rolls can be. It definitely makes us thankful for our many daily blessings, and determined to keep helping others as much as possible.