Third World Children in Need of Christmas. Part 2.

Welcome to the "Libre Infancia" Christmas Celebration for Children!!!!

     At the close of our last post we were boarding a bus in the dumpster community of Zone 3 in Guatemala City.  The bus, full of children and their families were temporarily leaving their poor and oppressive environment in the anticipation of  the grand Christmas celebration awaiting them!




Over 200 children w/family in attendance!!!!

      Thanks to Pastor Otto Alvarez, his faithful volunteers, and their big hearts for God's little ones, the celebration was indeed a complete success and blessing to everyone involved.  This event is held annually at "Templo de Gloria" church which is the church the guys and I attend every week.  The Church and ministry of "Libre Infancia" are closely connected and both led by my current pastor, Pastor Otto.



Chris helping me negotiate and choose toys
for 100 girls and boys!




This year, Pastor Otto was a bit short on funds, which is all to common in ministry work.  He had been praying for the funds to buy 100 more toys so he could invite 100 more children to the Christmas Celebration.  Meanwhile, not knowing this, I had been raising funds to buy presents for the children of the men in my ministry who were unable to do so themselves.  God provided in excess for the children of the men. So I still had money left-over that people had sent me with the intention of buying gifts for Guatemalan children in need.  Not knowing Pastor Otto's situation I approached Him after Church one Sunday and asked if their was anyway I could help his awesome ministry.  He joyously invited me to bring 100 toys to the celebration and said he would extend his invitation to 100 more children.  God is good!



100 toys sponsored by "Guatemala: Revelation & Response",  readers
and supporters!


The readers and supporters of this blog really came through where it counts.  All the toys you see were sponsored by the "Guatemala: Revelation & Response" blog.  Because of the generosity of a few amazing individuals and one church,  100 more children were able to join in the Christmas celebration!!!











Bombillita the clown had more than 200 children captivated for over 45 minutes!
Let me tell you, that is no easy task while hundreds of presents sit in
plain sight on stage.



Straight from the bus to the fun-house!  Upon arriving at the celebration the children were split into small groups of 10 or so and assigned a group leader. The men of our ministry as well as myself were all put in charge of some very excited children. 



I was proud of the men from our ministry "Hogar de la Roca" for their great work and willing hearts to help make this Christmas celebration special for all the children who came.  God is taking them to new places already.



Yours truly, Pastor Otto, and Santa Claus himself in the greatest position of the event....giving.



     It was a full afternoon of clowns, games, candy, hugs, songs, balloons, and gifts.  You know your getting old when you find yourself on the same side of the gift line helping Santa Claus himself.  That being said, what an amazing  privilege and honor it was to stand their and help hand out possibly the only gifts these children will receive all year.  The entire day was truly overwhelming and holds memories i will carry with me always.  Enjoy these pictures!

These boys were wild....



...and as fate would have it they were also the recipients of the coolest toys i brought.  The
swords were used for their intended design which is of course chasing away girls.



Merry Christmas!

    

     Matthew 18: 1-6  "About this time the disciples came to Jesus and asked "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"  Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said "I tell you the truth...anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf also welcomes me."

     This is one truth I trust we can all agree on.  I have readers and followers of this blog who come from all different social and spiritual backgrounds.  I maintain a deep respect for the beliefs you each hold, and i appreciate your respect of mine. 

     This Holiday season we really came together and made better the lives of some beautiful children who need our help more than i could ever convey with photographs or written words on a computer screen.  Whether you financially contributed specifically  for children or to help meet my daily needs here, you yourself welcomed these children as lovingly as Jesus did.  I am merely here as a conduit of God's grace.  Without you,  I would actually be more of a burden here than a help.  This goes for anyone reading, praying, or sending me encouraging comments as well.  I couldn't be here without you, and these children wouldn't be blessed without all of us working as a team for this common goal..  "To help the hurting."

     There are still opportunities to help for the holidays and throughout the year, as there will always be a need with any humanitarian cause.  For instance,  our next post will involve a trip back to the dumpster community, yet this time we hope to feed over 100 starving people a warm Christmas feast!  May God bless you all through the duration of what's already been a very merry Christmas!  Look for Part 3, "Christmas Feast" coming very soon!



Merry Christmas from Libre Infancia...........



...and from the children of Zone 3.  Merry Christmas!