A Christmas Fiesta for Migrant Families
Last Sunday evening a group of new friends sang, “Noche de Pas. Noche de Amor.
Todo duerme en derredor.” As the guitar peacefully strummed the tune, singing
Silent Night brought comfort and joy to about 70 migrant workers and their families. They were
a long way from their native Mexico. Hard work and determination to succeed kept them on Virginia’s
Eastern Shore. Here’s more on the Christmas Fiesta…
Juana and Hector met at the Pungoteague migrant camp two years ago. They spend their summers in
the hot fields picking tomatoes, and in the winter the couple prepares the farm equipment for
the next season. Now parents, they are focused on giving 6-month-old Abelino a better life than
they had in Mexico.
Hector's family watched in amazement as the Operation Blessing volunteers served them and the
other guests an authentic Mexican meal complete with dessert during the Christmas Fiesta. The
children helped trim the 7-foot Christmas tree, and of course there were piles of presents to
hand out! Women received perfume sets, scarves and gloves. There were shaving kits, work gloves,
socks, hats and blankets for the men. Even the children had special red and green bags filled
with stuffed animals, socks, hats, toys and candy. These would be the only presents that many
of them would receive during the holiday. “I hope the Lord remembers us next year too,”
expressed Juana. “Everything is nice.”
12 Days, 12 Ways
There are three days left in our "12 Days of Christmas" program. With the help of our
partners, Operation Blessing staff and volunteers have brought holiday joy to almost 800 people!
Each day we are focusing on unique ways to bless groups normally overlooked during the holiday
cheer. In the first nine days activities have included serving a holiday luncheon to the elderly,
inviting the visually impaired to a special dinner, treating teens living in a crisis house to
a pizza party, giving gifts to families with loved ones in prison, and treating women living in
emergency shelters with a day of beauty while their small children were cared for.
Operation Blessing's Holiday of Hope activities aren't only going on in Virginia. With the help
of our partners, Operation Blessing will bring holiday joy to tens of thousands of hurting men,
women and children across the United States as well as around the world! You can be a part of
this wonderful time by giving your gift of $50 or more today! Give an online gift of $50 or more
this month and receive our beautiful Calendar of Caring, perfect for your home during 2004!
|
|
]