Christmas Celebrations

What better time to share the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST than the season we celebrate His birth? What better time to tell the TRUE meaning of Christmas? What better time to teach about the RESURRECTION? If Jesus had not resurrected from the dead, we would not be celebrating His birth! What better time to reach out to neighbors, strangers and the poor? Blessings abound! 

I spent weeks discerning God's plans for this month. I don't want to miss an opportunity to share about our SAVIOR. God gave us the GREATEST GIFT of all -His Son Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins and took our punishment on the cross so many years ago. He lived, He died, He was buried, and on the third day he ROSE again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He has promised those of us who believe only in HIM that we have the GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE. What better reason to celebrate? 

Below are some photos from recent celebrations. Please pray for the people you see:

Candlelight Caroling Service at Christ Church.

Moms and Friends Christmas Party -receiving NTs for their gift! I also gave them a list of all the women we've studied and where to find their stories. Mary Magdalene's stories helped illustrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The ladies brought different regional foods. They told me to bake a cake and cookies.

Enjoying the delicious food. I made a Birthday bundt cake for Jesus.

At another celebration in a nearby town, I helped the ladies make Christmas story bracelets. I also gave them gospel bracelets to help them share the story.

These ladies learned how to share the Christmas Story orally. Now they have two bracelets to help.

 Big Girls Bible Club members were allowed to bring their siblings and family members to their party. I had a mom read the story through first in Hindi, because some of the siblings don't understand English well yet. Then, with a few pillow cases, ribbon, kurtas, and a lot of duppattas, we had costumes to act out the first Christmas.

The angel visits the shepherds with the Good News. The little ones played the sheep!

The shepherds come to adore the baby Jesus.

Mary and Joseph are visited by three wise men.

Awwww, what a cute little black sheep lovin' on the baby Jesus!

 

After hearing the whole story of Jesus Christ, the kids acted out the story of the FIRST Christmas, then made a nativity craft.

The older kids made nativity ornaments from kits donated by faithful friends. Thank you!

Other kids made foam craft nativity after hearing the story of the first Christmas, and acting it out as well.

We played a pass-the-gift game, "Christmas With the Right Family."

Goodies for our Jesus Birthday Party. All recipes are eggless: Christmas cupcakes, eggless sugar cookies, and Christmas fudge.

Today was also Tanya's birthday. She loved it that we sang to her, and she got to blow out a candle. I gave her new crayons and a Bible Story Coloring book. She likes to color just like me! I color my prayers every day!

Jyoti's beautiful daughters came over Sunday to bake for the Women's Self-Help Social Welfare party on Mondday.

                Again, all eggless treats.           

Jyoti thought there would be six children but only one came to the Women's Self-Help Social Welfare Association celebration. We shared the whole gospel story in several ways: through reading from the Bible, through storying, games, symbols and traditions, songs, and crafts.

Playing Bingo with symbols of Christmas

Thanks to those who provided the craft kits. The ladies enjoyed making the nativity craft.

Amrita helped me share the Story and lead songs.

Proud of her craft -a reminder of God's Greatest Gift!

Sining Happy Birthday to Jesus before we eat.

A common activity at Asian parties is to have guests sing a song. Just about everybody sang a song -not Christmas.

Each lady received a gospel story bracelet and practiced sharing the meaning of the colors. Some asked for two to give away. That's the point! SHARE!

Thank you, God, tat I had enough voice to speak at the party. Great opportunities to share His Story and His love. I pray each of these ladies will some day choose to follow Him. I just love Christmas!!! JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Delilah & Chocolate Balls

Hannah told me about this easy recipe, but didn't give me the measurements, so I made them up! The Big Girls Bible Club made them last week and loved them. We finely crushed three single packages of Oreos and mixed them with one tub of Amul Creami Cheese. We rolled the mixture into small balls and dipped in melted chocolate. We added colorful sprinkles and chilled until firm. Hannah says she also uses white chocolate. I tried that too, but didn't have any today.

 The girls learned from Delilah, whose story can be found in the Book of Judges chapter 16. Of course we had to learn about Samson, first. Hmmm. He's not the best example for listening to your folks, but it was all in God's plan. Delilah chose silver over the love of her man. Samson teaches us that God has a purpose for our lives. From Delilah we learn we shouldn't cut others down with our words, but encourage their strengths.
For craft, we made a Recipe For Me. I gave each girl a foam card. They wrote three physical characteristics and three personality characteristics for themselves. They decorated them beautifully! I always tell them that there is no one just like them. They are unique; they are special. God has a plan for their lives.

Some of the girls with their finished Recipe Cards.

BGBC Learn Lessons From Mary, Lazarus and Martha's Sister

While Martha gave us a picture of service, and Lazarus a picture of fellowship as he sat at the table with Jesus, Mary gave us an example of true devotion and love. She poured out the costly perfume, or ointment on Jesus's feet. She gave sacrificially, not caring about Judas's criticism. She didn't announce what she planned to do, nor did she talk about it afterwards. She just did it. Another week we'll learn from Martha, but this week it was from Mary. My prayer is that these girls will someday soon come to love Jesus with this kind of devotion. 

 The girls made granola from wheat flakes, oats, barley flakes, seeds, honey, butter, and brown sugar. Our craft was a picture frame, thanks to Susan J. and friends in Daytona. You continue to bless us. We also used supplies sent by our friends in GA. Thanks, Greg.

 "Deborah" in the back, is spending her summer vacation from sem. with me. It's great to have her here.

 The girls work on their picture frames.

 Berry Koolaid and granola. It came out very tasty!

Okay, so I added some m&m's Janice and Larry sent me!
I made another batch to take with me to Victorious English School tomorrow. The trip takes about 5 hours over some very interesting roads! Look for photos in a couple of weeks. 

Big Girls Bible Club Lessons Learned From Dorcas

The day I returned home some of the girls came by to ask if we were having Bible Club Saturday. So, we had it, of course! Ten girls came. I had a late Valentine's Day party for the girls, celebrating the love of Jesus. Jerry and I made heart-shaped pick cookies for them. Thanks to a wonderful care package from Larry and Janis, I had Christian Valentines, conversation hearts, and red hots for the girls as well.
I told the story of Dorcas, a true example of kindness, goodness, and love. Dorcas was first, a disciple. She was obedient, as she gave to the poor and helped the widows by sewing tunics for them. She was resilient, caring, amiable, and a seamstress. You can read her story in Acts chapter 9.

The girls made beaded keychains in the shape of animals. It was great having them back in my home. It was great reminding them that Jesus loves them.