10 Feb 2010
An Unforgettable Gift
Though the season is past, and all the decorations have been stored for some time now, I still cannot get the image of our first Christmas as a full family out of my mind. A smile cannot be stifled as the joy of that day comes back to me now. The majority of the children of our home had passed by Christmas like any other day in the past, but this year it was a whole different story. Jesus’ birth was celebrated with zeal in 2009 at Kory Wawanaca Children’s Home, and it is a day that we will not soon forget.
“I’ve never tasted pizza before” were the words many of our children exclaimed as the pizzas emerged from our jeep after its three hour journey. Our celebration started with our staff appreciation party where the children were able to express their gratitude to all of the wonderful people who come together to ensure a safe and loving home for them. It was a fun-filled day of food, fellowship, and worship.
A week-long Bible School kept all the kids busy and active as they awaited the big day. They worked hard to memorize lines for their Christmas play and learn traditional Christmas songs to perform. One of the boys had even achieved an aptitude on the guitar good enough to prepare three songs for our Christmas Eve service.
The Christmas Eve service began early with 30+ children wandering from house to house calling our neighbors to church through song. At midnight we ended with a candle-lit circle and “Noche de Paz” (Silent Night) could be heard throughout the valley. Santa Claus had left presents for all of the children which were handed out while the women began serving Christmas dinner to everyone present with the stars shining down on us all.
Christmas morning held more surprises when sleepy children walked up the stairs to a bags of presents with their names on them. Everyone dug in to a piece of sweet bread and a cup of hot chocolate and then one by one the children opened their gifts. The excitement on their faces and the gratitude in their words were priceless. I have received lots of wonderful gifts in my life, but I would have to say that sharing Christmas with our children for the first time was my best Christmas gift ever.
Thanks to everyone who has supported us through your gifts and your prayers in order to make our family’s first Christmas a lasting memory. The best statement of the day was Rodrigo’s who said, “I just hope Jesus enjoyed his birthday half as much as I did.”
