Sunday, March 2, 2008

I'm done putting together Christmas presents, and it's only March!

Well, okay, so I'm done with Christmas presents for last Christmas! But we're rejoicing here, because this project is finished! In most years past, we have had people from the states come and stay with us, and help with this project. This year, not only did we not have helpers, but Allen was away, working in the states, during the time we put together this project. With the combination of the container of donations arriving waaaay late, and our having little outside help, we are thrilled to be done this soon! We are very grateful for our local friends who made time in their busy schedules to come and help . . . Brad and Trish Ward and family, who came quite a few times to unload containers and to package gifts, Ellen (a friend who lives in a nearby village, and works with the Peace Corps), and members of the Bob Lokers family.

We made the determination to close off the receipt of lists at the end of last week, so of course we received a large list practically on the last day, with about 25 pastor families on it. Those gifts went out the door yesterday, and so we are calling this a wrap!

Over the next week we will be packaging up the leftover donated items, and distributing them to the pastors at the upcoming session of the Bible Training School, and to local schools, feeding centers, and orphanages. The past couple of years, we have stored some leftover items for use the following Christmas. Because we anticipate moving sometime before the next Christmas project, and because in the past few years we have received enough donations to fill all the gifts, we are not storing anything this year. I will be so excited to have the carport cleared off . . . well, until the next load of food or donations arrives!

No comments: