This week will wrap up the Christmas and New year holidays at Pan de Vida with Three Kings Day on Friday. As much as everyone has enjoyed the break, I think we are all equally as ready for school to be back in session.
November was filled with lots of preparation for local businesses and organizations that wanted to hold events for the children in the month of December. The kids were invited to see a movie, have a lunch and receive gifts at a Wal-Mart in the city. Also a Christmas pageant with sandwiches and piñatas was held by General Electric, a play presentation by a local elementary school, a Christian mime show, and DIF's gift of winter blankets and sweatshirts are just a few of the others activities the children were blessed through. Of course there were lots of parties with atole and Rosca which is a traditional Christmas bread and hot chocolate type drink.
The ministry here is made possible by these donations of so many people from different parts of the world who all contribute in different ways. Everything from food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, appliances and finances to pay electric, gas etc. are needed on a daily basis to meet the needs of the children. Plus there are the physical labours of cooking, cleaning, laundry, maintenance, accounting and building projects. This year Pan de Vida had a Concert of Thanks to express their gratitude. The kids in the choir practiced 2 hours each weekday for about 6 weeks to prepare. They also made all of the stage decorations by hand. We only wish those who contribute and come to serve from Canada and the US could have been here to attend as well.
Then everyone winds down from the busyness to enjoy the Christmas Eve service to worship the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Ira and I were away this year but Pan de Vida celebrated with a quiet dinner of special foods, Christmas hymns and the Biblical Christmas message by Tio Dario. Afterward the children had bon fires to enjoy and were allowed to stay up as late as they wanted to watch movies.
We were blessed to be back in time to ring in the New Year with our family here at Pan de Vida. Again we had an evening with a special meal and a time of reflection on God's Provisions and Blessings of the last year. It was also rounded up by a bon fire. We even bought some sparklers for the kids to celebrate with. These times are very meaningful to us. It reminds us all once again why we do what we do and how much God really does love us and the kids here. He has been so faithful!! Our prayer for ourselves and you is that this New year will draw you closer to the one who was born to redeem us~Jesus!
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