This past week, we as a staff were able to give over 200 children a HUGE gift - the ability to go to school. Thursday we saw about 114 kids, and Friday we saw the rest. They were long, exhausting days. But I don't think many of the staff were thinking about that, to be honest. It was really overwhelming to be God's hands and feet. The verse, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" never rang truer for me.
Because of people (some of you reading this) giving $200 - a child gets to have an education this year. While the public school system here is free, the supplies, required uniforms and shoes are not. Just add those items up, and it totals more than most families here make in a month. PLUS, most families have more than one child in school.
And because of the generosity of others, we got to receive the blessing of seeing true appreciation, laughter, even tears, as everything was finally given to the children.
When a child entered the church, he/she would go immediately to registration and then to either get their nails painted or get a haircut. After that, they would come get their two uniforms. Once they tried on a uniform that fit, they got to take their picture for their sponsor. They were also given a copy of their picture - a sweet gift for a child that most likely has no pictures of him/herself.
After they were done with uniforms, they received two pairs of socks. Then they went to the backpack station where they got their new backpack, loaded with notebooks, construction paper, pencils, pens, markers, rulers, a New Testament, scissors, crayons, etc. The bags were HEAVY. Then they went to a table to write a letter or draw a picture for their Sponsor. After that, they received a brand new pair of shoes for school. Then they went to a chair, where one of our church members prayed over them in Spanish.
It was busy, crazy, and wonderful.
One family in particular touched my heart. The family was just found only a few days earlier, in a neighborhood we haven't been to yet. A group of staff found them, a family with seven children, living in very poor conditions. Once a sponsor was found, they were told to come to the church to get their supplies. They had never stepped foot in our church before.
Only five of their children are in school (one is finished, and one is too young), so as they came to get their uniforms it was a bit chaotic for a minute. Once they all had their uniforms, one of their daughters was thanking and kissing us repeatedly. She could NOT contain her excitement! It was so touching to see how thrilled she was. After their family was finished with all the tables, the Mom sent the kids back around to tell everyone thanks again. They all came with hugs, kisses and big smiles of gratitude. Everyone around agreed that it was such a blessing and that God is so good!
So thanks to you all. Thanks to those who gave. Thanks to those who prayed. Without you, none of this would be possible. Most important though, is that these children felt the love of God. They went away, knowing that God cares for them, and that He has not forgotten them.
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Isaiah 61:10
Take a couple of minutes to see this video, for a better idea of how the two distribution days went.
http://vimeo.com/36327375
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