We just want to say, we are so grateful and are overwhelmed with the love that comes in big and small packages. :)
In fact, we have had different gifts adding up to $3225 put into our ASB account directly, rather than through givealittle, so really we are moving up fast! :)
We have bought the gifts!
A few of the team headed down the mountain in the van for the 5-6 hour drive making our way to a large market area in Manila.
Bags full of cash, we squeezed, squished, pushed our way through the crowded narrow alleyways of the market. An unsafe place at the best of times, it was a bit nerve-wracking but God again was faithful.
Gifts of every kind were bought for boys and girls from 0-16 years old even though decision making in the heat is not the easiest! :)
Then the gift for adults and 1600 t-shirts in different sizes and colours. Not to forget the hundreds of sheets of wrapping paper!
Soon the building will be looking more like the north pole!
The kids are already excited asking about the parties! What a joy to express God's extravagant love!
Thank you for your big hearts to give. Every little bit helps. :)
We love and appreciate you!
I'm sure the expectation of Christmas and "what's inside?" is the most exciting thing at Christmas.
Hopefully the kids attending won't see this, but we are giving our donors a sneak peak of what the kids will see when they open their gift from them.
We won't tell you everything today, cause you can't have Christmas without suspense!
But what they will receive is something that we might not expect on Christmas Day.
A toothbrush and toothpaste!
A brand new toothbrush! A lot of families all share one brush which you can imagine isn't good for anyone! Some kids just wait for our Christmas Party to get their new brush of the year! And their very own toothpaste!
So, for the sparkly season, let's get some sparkly teeth! :)
Christmas starts in the months ending with "ber", so come September, the Christmas Carols begin in the malls and everything gets a bit more sparkly!
The reality for many is there is nothing much sparkly about Christmas, as many that we work with struggle to provide the basic essentials for their children, such as food and medicine.
But our team based here in the Philippines are getting in the Christmas Spirit, knowing that you will too!
T-shirts have been designed for every child and will soon go off for printing!
As funds come in we are so grateful because we are able to continue our plans to bring joy again this year!
