Christmas in Magala

This year, our family is greatly anticipating and enjoying the Christmas season.  Last year, Seth had only been home 2 months and while he liked the festivities, he really didn't understand what was going on.  This year, he is noticing and understanding so much more.  It's fun to see his eyes light up when we go look at Christmas lights.  It was heart warming to watch his response to putting up the Christmas tree.  We have a lot of family traditions that center around Christmas and Seth is very much enjoying them.  We're doing a lot of talking about Christmas, the birth of Christ and the reason we do all the fun family things we do in December.  It's all brand new to him.  To see the wonder in his eyes in both amazing and heart breaking.

I wonder what Christmas' were like in Ukraine.  I wonder if he ever received a present.  I know he had nothing to his name when we left the orphanage with him.  Not a stuffed animal.  Not a toothbrush.  Not even a pair of underwear to call his own.  Six and a half years of life and he had not one material possession. 

I've done some thinking about other boys.  The boys at Magala.  The boys at Seth's institution.  Will they know it's Christmas?  Will Santa visit?  Will they hear Christmas carols about Christ's birth?  Will they dance?  Will they laugh?  Will they enjoy a feast fit for a King?  Probably not.  It's likely not in the budget.  Outfitting 70 boys with Christmas gifts and celebration would be expensive.  For Magala, Christ's birth would likely go uncelebrated.... unless someone helps them.  Unless someone brings Christmas, and Christ's love to them. 

Helping Hands USA would like to provide Christmas for Magala.  They'd like to share a celebration, leave a gift with each boy, provide a good holiday meal, and teach the boys that Christ is real, and they are cared for.  They need our help to do it.  Could you help provide? 

A donation of $15 would provide a party, a gift and meal for one boy.  There are 70 boys who live there.  Could you donate Christmas to just one boy?  There's a chip in on my blog.  If you can help, we would be so grateful.  Together, we've gotten wheelchairs to them, shipped clothing to them, provided fans and CD players to keep them entertained.  Together, we can do mighty things.  Together, we can bring them the spirit of Christmas.  It doesn't have to be a large amount and it is tax deductible.  Any amount is helpful.  I ask you from my heart to please consider their happiness, their needs, this season.  It takes so little to make these boys happy.  Please be a part of their Christmas miracle. 

 

From a primary song, entitled "How Will They Know"

 

"How will they know, the ones for whom we care,

That God is love and with us ev’rywhere,

That life is good, with blessings all can share?

How will they know unless we teach them so?"

 

This, my friends, is how they will know.  This is how we teach them.