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Thanks to your generosity, much joy and laughter marked the celebration of Christmas for our sponsored children and their siblings. During the celebration, a teacher shared the Christmas story, several of the children sang, others performed skits, and they all played games and enjoyed refreshments. The older teens held their own celebration at the office, complete with their own games and refreshments. Their guests, a team of young adults from Young Life-Ethiopia, shared songs, skits, and their faith journeys with the teens.
Your Christmas donations and sponsorship funds provided a pair of pants or a dress, a t-shirt, and shoes for each of the sponsored kids. The kids were delighted, and it was all the parents could talk about in their self-help groups that week. Some cried with joy and others thanked their leaders repeatedly. They said: “Praise God for the sponsors because our kids have become like rich kids with good shoes.” The team also gave out soap and hygiene products. They had to hold off on buying grain because prices skyrocketed over the holidays. They will distribute grain this coming week. Even at a lower price this week, the cost is close to double the cost of grain a year ago.
The self-help groups all decided to celebrate Christmas together as well. Fikadu and his wife Tsige love having their groups over to their house to treat them to a traditional feast just like they would do for their own family members. They prepare chicken or roasted lamb, spinach, injera (Ethiopian flatbread), cake, coffee, soft drinks, and popcorn. They chuckle remembering how their group members become like little children forgetting all their difficulties, playfully teasing each other, and laughing as they enjoy this special treat. The staff and volunteers also shared a meal, prayed together, and exchanged gifts. There was much laughter as some of the staff have started a new tradition of hiding a nicer gift within a gag gift. Our volunteers and staff tell us that working with such a kind and joyful team that treats each other as family plays a big part in their decision to work with the sponsorship program.
We thank God for each of you and our team in Ethiopia who faithfully sacrifice every year to spread hope and joy among these precious children and families. May you and your families be richly blessed in 2024.