Christmas Hampers

Every year the "Titchies" (elementary children) give their offerings from first term towards Christmas hampers for needy families in the community. I think Christmas Hampers must be a British term, but it just means bags of food. In each "hamper" is rice, sugar, flour, tea, etc. The goal was to raise enough money for 50 families in need and the kids actually surpassed that goal and were able to assemble 60 hampers!

Those of us who live on the school campus have the privilege on Christmas Eve day to deliver these hampers to the needy families in our community. Many of them are widows or are grandparents caring for grandchildren, who may be orphaned.

In many ways, this day is a hard day for me. It is hard to see the poverty. It is hard to compare what our Christmas will look like the next day to what theirs will be like. It is painful to see the homes ravaged by illness and sadness.

But in other ways it is a day of hope. We get to hear testimonies of God's faithfulness to each family and His provision and goodness. We see joy - genuine and pure joy - as we present the meager hamper of groceries to them. We are united, for a few minutes, as we sing and pray together in their homes.

Here are a few shots of our day:

Some of the homes involved walking a steep path  in order to  reach our destination. Here is Babu (grandpa) helping Lyndsey.

Jeff receiving a warm hug from the sho sho (grandmother). Notice her amazing view of the Rift Valley behind.

 We had many spectators everywhere we went. Eventually, they became our "choir" and joined in our songs at each home.

In one of the homes, hearing the testimony of the home-owner.

Visiting Bernard's home - a grandpa alone on the holidays.

This is Mary, and her grandchildren that she cares for.

These children loved following us around and singing Christmas songs with us. They were precious.