VILLAGE CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES

December is always one of our favorite months.  The decorations, the traditions, and the ministry are always so filled with joy.  But this year, we had a new ministry that spilled over into the other ministries - Christmas shoeboxes for San Pedro Cámara.  If you remember, in October, we had our first outreach at the school in that village, serving the kids with our Superhero VBS.  We were invited back, and so this time we were coming with presents.

After sharing with our church our heart to bless the kids of San Pedro Cámara with boxes filled with toys, hygiene supplies, school items, and more, everyone got involved.  The kids' worship team went out one night and spent their night shopping together for gifts to fill their shoeboxes.  On the Sunday before the outreach, many from the church brought their boxes and gifts that they had bought.  After service, we stayed to sort out all of the items to make sure every kid would receive a box filled to the top according to their age and whether they were a boy or a girl.  At Women's Night, the women wrapped all of the boxes and placed a new Bible on top with a ribbon around it.  In each box, a handmade Christmas card was placed.

The next morning, we had those from Calvary Motul meet at the church to pray, and then we loaded up and headed to the village that is only 10 minutes away.  After setting up chairs and some Christmas music, the children started to come, excited to see us.  We started with the kids' worship team, teaching them a Christmas song and then dancing along with them.  The children got to play some games, the youth leader shared the Christmas story, and Len closed our time in prayer.  Then one by one, as each lined up, we handed them a wrapped shoebox filled with surprises.  The Lord provided, and we had enough for every kid.

As we start a new year, we are excited about the new opportunities to minister.  One of the moms from San Pedro Cámara offered her house for us to start a women's Bible study there.  Please pray with us as we hope that some women from Calvary Motul will step up to help serve in this ministry.

The Sunday school kids made a Christmas video this year. They practiced it and then performed it in a video recording. It was shown at our Christmas church service.

We had a great Christmas with the church, with our family, and we are grateful to those of you who have blessed us with your prayers, with your support, and with staying in touch.  May the Lord bless you this next year of 2026!