MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dulce, Judith, Alana, Jael and Francisco send you Christmas greetings!

The children wish you a Merry Christmas!  And they send their thanks to you for all your prayers and your help in their lives.

Between 65 and 70 children gathered with us for a very happy Christmas party on December 20th.  They learned a new song they were not familiar with that they called Night of Peace.  We know it as Silent Night.  They sang it several times, first one side of the church and then the other side as they learned the words.  Pastor Gerardo told the story of the first Christmas, describing the greatest gift of all that was sent from Heaven.  Then when he invited the children to accept this great gift of salvation, about 15 children came forward for prayer.

Several children came forward acknowledging they wanted to accept the greatest gift of all time - Jesus.

After songs and games, steaming hot tamales were served along with flavorful spaghetti with meat sauce.  Big cups of orange fruit drink finished things off before everyone rushed outside to attack the large star shaped piñata that was stuffed with candy.  It didn't take long for the bigger kids to break the piñata and there was a rush to gather up all the candy from the ground.  Not a single piece of candy nor a scrap of paper was left behind as evidence of the traditional event.

Huge kettles of tamales provided plenty for everyone.

The pinata was larger than most of the children!

All the children lined up to receive a treat bag from one of the big bags.  Things were quiet for awhile as each one opened and explored the bags' contents.  Some contained tiny dolls and little girl trinkets and others had matchbox cars or action figures, but they all contained candy.  These treat bags are always a big hit because they hold a lot of little surprises to delight every child.  Thank you for making 100 treat bags possible this year.

This little girl hugged her treat bag while watching the activities.

As the party ended, some of the children volunteered to sing special choruses they had learned in Sunday School.  Francisco and his brother and sisters were not timid at all, but really enjoyed singing behind the microphone.  We were proud of them.

Stuffed animals, matchbox cars, pencils, games and candy.  Each bag was different.

These children bravely sang on the platform accompanied by Pastor Gerardo on the keyboard.

"Our God we thank you for being so near to us!  Everyone celebrates your wonderful deeds."  
Psalm 75:1 CEV