Tonight was our much anticipated Christmas Eve Service. We ended up having 21 kids and 13 parents come out: all of them new faces to us! We sang some Christmas Carols, I read them “The First Christmas”, I sang “O Holy Night”, then Jeremy told the Christmas story with the kids’ help. The parents loved seeing their kids up in front! It was an “impromtu” Christmas program for them, with Caesar Augustus, the census taker, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds! Everyone tonight heard that Jesus is our Savior and that we can only have eternal life through Him.

At the end, of course, was the much awaited gift giving. We handed each child a gift and had them all wait until everyone had a gift before tearing (literally) into theirs. They loved that! We are so thankful for Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Tennessee for providing many gifts and for 3rd graders at Capitol Christian Academy in Upper Malboro, Maryland for sending us so many also. In all, we gave out 40 gifts (some we gave to people to take home to their other children). We were also able to give out a hardcover book of “When Trouble Comes” - by Jim Berg - to all the parents (Colonial Baptist Church in Virginia gave us a box of them).

After the cookies and milk and after everyone went home, we reflected on how God had so marvelously provided the gifts and books to give out. We didn’t realize we’d need that many gifts, but God knew and provided through His people. Thank you to all who prayed for tonight. The Gospel was shared and “a cup of cold water” was given in His name.

Please pray for Rebecca - she’s Miracle’s mother. Her youngest, Dorothy (4 month old), has 2 holes in her heart. One is getting smaller, but the other one is getting bigger, so of course Rebecca is concerned. I don’t think that family has much . . . so she was very grateful for the gift for her kids. She ended up giving us a Christmas picture of her three kids as a thank you. Pray that the Lord would work in her heart as she’s heard and received (in tract form) the Gospel.

Side note how Miracle got her name. She was due at the end of July, but because of medical complications, she had to be taken out C-section (started in the ambulance) in March! Her mom says it’s a miracle she’s alive today!