Armenia Bonito Christmas Party

Last Saturday our team hosted, for the second year in a row, a Christmas party in Armenia Bonito.  The idea is to give the kids a special Christmas treat, while at the same time sharing the good news of Christ birth to both them and any of the parents who come with them.

The morning started out cold and wet, so when we arrived at the building, there was already a crowd building to get inside.  But since we had lots to set up, Madison and I headed out to the soccer field in the rain to entertain the kids with balls, frisbees, and jump rope.

After we were sufficiently soaked, we headed back to our dry room to start the program.  With all of the kids and adults gathered together, there must have been 250 dripping wet people crammed into the community center.  The floor was quickly drenched, but at least we weren’t getting rained on.

Once everyone was inside, Lindsey led the whole group in sining Spanish Christmas songs like Ya llego la Navidad (to the tune of Deck the Halls) and  Navidad, Navidad (to the tune of Jingle Bells).

After the singing, Mike told the Christmas story, and then after the kids had waited patiently for 10 minutes (an eternity for most), the choas began.  While Mike and Lindsey helped prepare the food and presents, Erin and I attempted to split up the boys and girls and arrange them by hight (so that if we ran out of presents, at least all the little kids would get a present).

After 30 minutes of yelling, corralling, pushing, cutting in line, shouting and funneling the kids.  200 happy boys and girls walked away with a Christmas present (gifts bags and teddy bears for the girls, soccer balls for the boys) and a plate full of arroz con pollo (rice with chicken).

For the team, it was a 2 hour whirlwind of activity.  As we left, Lindsey and I wondered if all the chaos was even worth it.  But then we saw a poor little boy with rotten teeth and rags for clothes, standing barefoot in a puddle, clutching his brand new soccer ball and waving at us with the biggest grin on his face.

Worth it a million times over.