Fun Times With Alex's Family

Today was a busy day, but a great one for sure. The kids were picked up in the village, brought to the center, bathed and fed lunch. After lunch was devotion time, and it is so awesome to see and hear Rachel sharing with the kids, and their responses are priceless! They love it!

We decorated for the party and cupcakes were baked. Dave went to pick up Alex's family and brought them to the center. How exciting for them and for us! We first brought out the party hats, and the kids just cracked up when we put mom's on first! We told them we were having a birthday party for Jesus! They played pin the tail on the donkey. The kids obviously had never played and it was so fun! They each made a craft and enjoyed that too!

Rachel and Abel shared the story of Christ's birth and as they shared the story, they put the figures on a felt background for a visual. The kids all listened and watched and it was so sweet!

Soon Santa showed up! The kids were excited! Santa brought gifts to each child, an outfit and a toy. It was fun to watch the excitement, and they were so patient and held their gifts until everyone had received them from Santa, and then they opened up their gifts. They were so happy, and it was such a blessing for us, and we thank each one who who donated money that purchased these gifts, including all the kids at home who made sacrifices of themselves to bless these kids!

Alex is 4, has Down's syndrome and has changed so much since we first met him in 2008 when the center first opened. He couldn't sit up on his own, was weak and was always sick with repeated infections. The grandmother is raising him, along with his brother, and ten children of her own. She loves him and wants to care for him, but needed help. Rachel/FMN has changed his life, and his entire family as well. Alex is sitting up, scooting all over the floor and grabs at everything that is in his reach. He smiles and laughs and is much healthier! His grandmother is open and willing to learn new ways to care for her children and grandchildren, and that is the whole intent of the work of FMN, to assist families in caring for their children to avoid abandonment. Alex's grandmother and grandfather both gave their life to Christ this past summer, and the grandfather quit drinking which is very hard in this culture, as alcoholism is common in this culture with the hard life that the Roma (gypsies) live.

When we took Alex home along with all of the other kids, his grandmother came out to greet us and told Rachel that the kids were soooooooooooo very happy and she thanked us and thanked us, and for Kim, Missy and I, we were only the ones who delivered the gifts. It was so many of you who blessed these kids and these families. We are grateful to God for pulling us all together as a team! Grandma's name is Titiana, and she is due with another baby any day. She told Rachel that if it's a girl, she will be named Rahela (which is Rachel) and if it's a boy, he will be named George (which is Rachel's dad). How sweet is that, and it is all because of the love and respect that she has for Rachel/FMN, and the love and support their family has received.

Thank you for your prayers and for your generosity. We ask for continued prayers for good health, safe travels to and from Tinca and for Christ's light to shine so bright, as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the children and families cared for by FMN.

Love,

Missy, Kim, Lois, Rachel, Dave & Iza