Valerie’s First Christmas

first christmas valerie

I was about 3 years old in my earliest Christmas memory. I had chickenpox, and because I was quarantined, my stepfather dressed as Santa to cheer me up. I don’t remember the gifts I got that year, but I remember feeling so special that Santa had made a house call to visit me. That memory surfaced recently when I read the story of Valerie, a little girl in Togo. Valerie’s first Christmas memory happened last year — because it was the first time she ever celebrated Christmas.

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Not Too Soon for Christmas

second friday letter writing club featured

What does a Christmas celebration look like for our sponsored children? Do they have special Christmas traditions with their families? Do they decorate their homes with Christmas decorations? Do they attend special Christmas services at their churches? Because it can take months to get a letter to your sponsored child, it’s not too soon to write about Christmas now!

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drawing of nativity scene

Merry Christmas!

On this day we hope you feel the presence of our Savior as we celebrate His grand love and His perfect will to move us closer to Himself.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

– Matthew 1:23, NASB

nativity

The artwork was drawn in 2003 by Elaine Vidal, a 10-year old sponsored child.

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christmas in tanzania santa

Memories of Christmas in Tanzania

Christmas is the season to visit relatives far and close. As for Christians, many tie marriage knots around Christmas. Other church events, such as public declarations of Christian faith, also called confirmations or first communions, take place around Christmas.

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Christmas in Burkina Faso

“When nights are cold and dawns much colder,” says 14-year-old Ozias, “When there is freezing wind, when our skin cracks and always looks dirty, when our mothers insist that we use lip balm, and when we do not have to wake up early for school, then we know it’s Christmas season!”

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christmas in ghana meal

Christmas in Ghana

In Ghana, Christmas is a special occasion for both Christians and non-Christians, with celebrations revolving around large family gatherings and feasts

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Give a gift in Jesus' name catalog image

Give a Gift in Jesus’ Name

This Christmas, what if, instead of giving gifts that break, expire or get used up, you gave a gift that will last forever?

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advent candles

Christmas in October

It’s just the beginning of October, but mail to our sponsored children takes time to arrive, which makes now the time to be thinking about the Christmas letter you send to your child.

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Christmas Ornament Life Lessons

Many people in Mexico are highly dedicated to crafts, but in the hills of Veracruz, there is a group of adolescents who have dedicated the last couple of months to the delicate craftwork of making glass Christmas decorations.

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two Honduran boys with arms around each other

Living in Honduras: A Day in the Life of Alejandro

Like most boys his age, Alejandro enjoys playing soccer with his friends and always has time to play with his little brother. He looks forward to continuing his education and one day he wants to become a doctor to help the people of his community.

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two elderly women with their heads together

Seven Ways to Give of Yourself — In Every Season

Instead of focusing solely on places to send our money, let’s take a look into ways we can give of our time, money, and talents—in every season.

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Small wreath that says joy.

It’s Not Too Early for Christmas

I know it may seem a little early, but now is actually the perfect time to get your Christmas gifts and letters in the mail to your sponsored child.

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