garage sale and Christmas party

Six talking with one of the ladies from the church

Abraham watching while some
children chose toys

Early in January, we would like to take the children of Huejotzingo on a day trip to a large city park, the Parque Ecologico.  They have never been to the park, and it is a fun place to play.  There are  basketball courts, a large aviary, soccer fields, several playgrounds, and lots of open grassy space to play in.  On the weekends, there is a company that has zorb balls that float on water.  People pay 25 pesos for 10 minutes to play in the ball.  Awhile ago, we decided it would be enjoyable for everyone to spend the day at the park and also go in the zorb balls.

In order to pay for the zorb balls and the transportation to and from the park, we planned a garage sale.  People from Puebla Christian School and the church Dios es Amor donated a variety of items, and we set the sale date for the 18th of December.  It was a long day, but we raised more than the amount necessary for the day trip.  The remaining funds will help pay for Bibles and will help a widow start a tamale-making business.

In addition to raising money for Huejotzingo, we had the chance to witness to some of the people who came to buy items.  One of the people is a teenager who came to see if we had dress pants.  He asked if we were starting a business.  I told him no, that we had come on behalf of Dios es Amor.  I explained where the church was and invited him to attend.  His response caught me off guard.  He said, "I am not permitted to."  Then, by way of explanation, he showed me the chain around his neck that had the image of La Santa Muerte.  He told us that he began following Holy Death after he received a job the day after praying to her.  Those who follow her vow not to seek any other religion.  Abraham was able to spend some time talking to Jovani, telling him about Jesus' promise of eternal life and explaining that Jesus has conquered death.  We intend to visit Jovani on Wednesdays before going to the church for Awana.  Please pray for him;  he has become involved with a powerful evil.  Pray also that we can share the gospel clearly with him.

Pedro helps Naty hang a poster

One of the church ladies donated
gift bags with treats for the kids

The children and adults thought of gifts
to give to Jesus this Christmas

On Sunday afternoon we had a Christmas party in Huejotzingo.  We hadn't decorated for Christmas yet, but the kids were more than happy to help put up posters, hang tinsel, and decorate the tree.  We were glad to see that Naty and Zalma, after a few weeks of absence, returned to spend the afternoon with us.

During the afternoon after decorating, we sang Christmas carols and then discussed what gifts we could give to Jesus for his birthday.  Suggestions included obedience, respect, and love.  Abraham also read the Christmas story from the Bible.  When the service ended, we dished out pozole and Christmas punch that had been donated by several people from Dios es Amor.  Everyone ate their fill, and we saved some to take to Marta, Lupe, and Jorge, the people that Abraham has been studying with on Thursdays.  Marta and Lupe are the two who recently accepted Christ into their hearts, and Marta is the widow who wants to begin selling tamales in order to have an income.

Thank you for your prayers.  Please keep them coming.

Have a very merry Christmas!