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| TAKING A HEAD COUNT |
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| LOADING UP THE BUS AT THE CHURCH |
Have you ever prepared a Christmas shoe box or boxes for Samaritan's Purse and wondered where in the world it would end up?
First, let me say a hearty thanks to you for touching the life of a child. And secondly, I want to share my experiences at a Samaritan's Purse distribution area last Saturday in Juarez, Mexico, where I serve as a missionary.
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| BEACH BALLS FLYING IN THE TENT |
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| THE CLOWN ACT |
Pastor Roberto Nuñez, who pastors the church where we have one of Saturday lunch rooms, signed our kids up for gifts from Samaritan's Purse and we were selected to receive gifts. There are not enough gifts to supply the needs of the entire City of Juarez.
Pastor Roberto had been preparing the children for several weeks for this wonderful event. This past Saturday the kids eagerly arrived at the church. Excitement was in the air, but so were the freezing temperatures. We had a total of 74 kids who had to be transported to the site, about 40 minutes away. We only had four vehicles so I decided to rent a bus. It was only 500 pesos ($42) round trip and we would be at the distribution center a little over 2 hours. The bus ride over made the day even more special for the children. Several adults rode the bus with the kids and the rest of the adults followed in our cars.
When we arrived there were over 300 children from another church who had arrived in 4 buses. We were the second wave of groups that day. We were received with all the warmth and love that anyone could possibly give.
I met an incredible group of Christians who were helping with the event. They were the ones who handed the children their Christmas presents. The group came for The Simple Church in Bossier City, Louisiana (This church of 5,000 people has an incredible history).
When we first arrived I was expecting to get the kids off the bus, file them in, pick up the Christmas presents, file them back unto the bus, and return home. But there was a special service planned for the children before gifts were given out. It was another major excitement to make this Christmas all the more meaningful. The kids were welcomed with animal balloons and bead necklaces. Then they had them all to stand up and then big and huge beach balls were bounced around the 450 seat capacity tent for about 15 minutes with upbeat music. Then 2 clowns entertained us with side-splitting comedy. And after that the gospel message was presented by Lion King characters. This lasted about 40 minutes. Mufasa, the head lion led the kids in prayer. Then we were filed out for the main event: The Christmas presents!!!
I watched the children's faces as they passed by to receive a box. I thought that I would see happier faces but there was so much excitement, wonder, and awe that they were in a dream. It was as if they couldn't grasp the moment. They were afraid to get too outwardly excited because maybe they would...wake up. Once they got back on the bus the emotions flowed.
We drove back to the church and once the bus doors open the race was on to get home in a hurry and open the Christmas gifts. Some couldn't wait so they went inside the church and open their gifts there. The faces were classic. The place was quiet. Each item was studied carefully.
As I looked at the happy faces on these children I thought about the many millions of people who had sacrificed to make this possible. I wanted to be able to thank them all personally and individually.
And as I looked at the happy faces I was reminded of many, many years ago when someone donated a beautiful little candy-apple red Volkswagen. I was the fortunate one to receive it. There has never a greater gift given to a child. Yet I'm sure that every child last Saturday would say the same about their gifts.
Thanks so much to all who gave. A million thanks!!! And many thanks also to Spanish American Evangelistic Ministries and Missionary Susan Kirk (Thru His Mercy Ministries) who donated presents and other items so that I may distribute them to kids at the other lunch room and a few other places.
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| AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY. A MILLION THANKS. |
(Double click on the pictures for enlargement.)
Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936
1-501-827-7679
For tax receipts:
Covenant Fellowship
P.O. Box 8126
Searcy, AR 72145
