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Friend us at Randy Denton and Donna Gammel Denton |
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15,000 Toys and Goodies Brighten Christmas in Mexico
If you’re like me, the sound of Christmas music in any month besides December seems as out of place as a cat at a mouse convention. But bear with me on my version of “Let it Snow.” Oh, the weather outside is frightful, |
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(continued from "15,000 Toys" above) That’s how the 27 of us felt as we waded through the cold rain and mud to bring loads of cheer to hundreds of Mexican children during our annual toy distribution at Christmas. Frightful indeed was the weather, but the resolve of the dedicated group from various states who were attending Missions Adventure Camp was not shaken. We had everything in place by the time the team arrived here. They rolled up their sleeves and hit the pile of 15,000 toys, tracts and goodies like an army on a mission. Everyone busied themselves with packaging, wrapping and labeling. In just 3 hours, over 1000 shoe boxes and lots of large toys were wrapped and ready for distribution. The rain persisted all week. At one point, water started rising inside the sanctuary and kitchen of our church from which we worked the distribution. The ladies of the church who were designated to do the cooking for our group and the Feeding Hungry Children program were not deterred. Standing in ankle-deep water, Juanita stayed at her post over the stove preparing meals for the day while two others took turns with the broom, sweeping the flood waters out through a hole in the wall. (We need to have the church torn down, fill dirt brought in and then rebuilt. The property is well below flood level, but that’s a topic for another newsletter.) (Continued...)
Hardship is an everyday occurrence here. Just ask 6-year-old Cristal (pictured above.) She and her younger siblings come regularly to the church to get a hot meal at our feeding program. Without the help, who knows how they would survive? On the night of the distribution, she and her brothers and sisters left their dirt-floor shack to endure the harsh weather to come for their toys. Cristal was wrapped in a worn-out coat many sizes too big and wearing ragged, adult-size work shoes to protect her bare feet from the cold and mud. Yes, poverty is everywhere you look; suffering is synonymous with survival. But maybe, just maybe, their troubles and trials were forgotten for a moment on this cold night in Rio Bravo, Mexico. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for putting the “Merry” into Christmas for Cristal and hundreds of other children like her. We love you!  
We made an appeal to you for help with finances late last year. Many of you responded and helped us get through a serious financial crisis and we are so grateful. Thank you! While we've made some recovery, we're still experiencing a downturn in support. Some programs are still underfunded. We ask you to seriously pray and consider making a donation to this ministry. Perhaps you've already given and the Lord is leading you to give again. Or maybe you'd like to donate on a regular basis. Your bank's Bill Pay Service can set you up with a plan. Your gift will be sent automatically to us without any effort on your part. Best of all, it's free. Children need to be fed, a church that gets flooded every time it rains needs to be rebuilt, equipment to keep programs going must be purchased. Please, let the Lord work through you to touch a nation, a people, God's creation. Give and watch God multiply back to you many times over. There's no way you can outgive Him! Simply click the Donate button above to contribute online to this ministry by credit card, debit card or checking account. It's safe and it's easy! For repeating contributions check with your bank about getting set up with automated drafts. Or if your prefer, you may send a check by mail. See the form below.
To send a contribution please print and complete the donation form above and send it with your check to: STM * PO Box 2635 * Mission, TX 78573-0044 |
Changing lives, seeing the world through Jesus' eyes.