The debut of the Puppets From the US was a SMASH hit at the first annual Christmas Treat at the home of Rachel. Not only did the kids enjoy them, but I found many of the adults laughing and singing along with them. (You know who you are!)
Leah and Zach (first picture) had a discussion about erasing things that we have said, that we should not have said. Zach thought all he had to do was find an "eraser" just like he used in school to erase his mistakes. But Leah explained that he could not do that, but he must ask the person to forgive him and then ask God to forgive him.
The hit of the show was BeBoy and his rappers (second picture). BeBoy brought the house down as he lead the group in If You Are Happy And You Know It! He was a little shy to begin with but when he got cranked up, he got down!
The Christmas message was "The 2 Greatest Gifts of Christmas". We talked about excitement of Christmas and what everyone was looking forward to. I showed them 2 nicely wrapped gifts that I had brought to them from the US. The first gift was the Christmas story...I used a miniature nativity scene to share the Christmas story...then I shared the second gift with them...I explained that Christmas did not end with the wise men coming and offering their gifts...but it ended at the CROSS (I pulled a stick cross out of the other box). That God sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby, for the whole world...but that little baby's purpose was far greater that just being a story told at Christmas, it was to die for the sins of the world He came into. That this gift had to be accepted by each of us if we are to spend eternity with Jesus forever. (For many of the kids and adults that attended, this was the first time they had heard the Christmas story and the message of the cross. (This home is a God thing...Rachel and her husband are Christians living in her father's home. Her father is a strong Hindu, but has welcomed us into his home. The 2 times I have shared the Gospel here he has always been in the room and listening. He and I have had a couple of conversations about the Gospel...I believe one day he will be saved!)
The treat was concluded by each child receiving a small Christmas gift (third picture) and a goody bag, and a snack meal. There were smiles on all their faces. We have over 35 kids and over 20 adults in attendance...WOW...God showed up in a BIG WAY!
We were invited by a friend of Suresh (the pastor we are staying with) to share a Christmas meal and program with them at their church. What a wonderful time we had. Christie and Amanda (Suresh's daughter) got to sing Breath of Heaven, and I got to say a few words about our ministry and share a brief word about Christmas.
I ask you to pray for the family of Carlton, a Christian brother who has offered his home to us for Sunday School. His sister died today and we were supposed to have a Christmas Treat at his home on Tuesday. We will have to adjust our schedule and possibly do his on Thursday.
Until tomorrow....good night mon!
Christie & Mike
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