What It's All About

It all began with a little 6-year-old's big dream: "I want to raise money for the orphans in Honduras."

And money did he raise. One thousand dollars, in fact, by means of a simple letter to his church. Ah, the innocent plea of a child gets 'em every time.:)

It all began in the compassionate heart of a 6-year-old boy whom I don't even know. Yet three other co-workers, a 10th-grade student of ours, and I all reaped the incredible blessings of this young visionary's heartfelt dream. We shopped all over town to find necessities and special gifts for 65 of the kids at the NPH Ranch. We then piled the gift bags of goodies into the car and arrived to my 2nd home, ready to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Upon arrival, I graciously witnessed the first of the many blessings we would gradually experience throughout the day: the collision of my two worlds, work and the place where I left my heart so many years ago. Watching our student, Sara, fall in love with some of the most beautiful kids in the world, just as I did in the exact same place over 7 years ago, was so incredibly sweet to my soul. Here was another young person, there to experience my world, experience my heart, experience her own deepest passion, and eventually take her life-changing experience back with her to our school. It was an experience so sweet to the soul, and these matching smiles capture only a glimpse of the true joy they both found that day.

Another blessing occurred as we watched the 40+ kids, aged 4-9, patiently waiting for each of their friends to receive a gift before finally ripping into theirs in sheer excitement. The circle they formed was one of anticipation, and the reward they received for their patience exploded with grins.

Each and every kid became completely engrossed in his or her own little treasure, and not a single gem found in the bag was left unrecognized, unappreciated. They were entertained for so long with simple gifts that cost a total of around $12/each.

My co-worker commented on their oohs and aahs by comparing these young ones to his grandchildren. He told me how each of them would have torn open the gift and been uninterested after two minutes; these gifts, for them, were an overabundance and an excess, with the thousands of toys left unattended in a nearby room serving as obvious witnesses. These kids before us, however, these orphans, were receiving gifts that were full of love, full of necessity, full of His presence....and they just couldn't let go of that presence. Their echoes of "gracias!" filled that place, their God-shaped hearts, and right down to their very lively spirits.

Our final round that day consisted of visiting my godson's home and continuing to shower the older boys with love and gifts. These boys received their blessings quietly and returned to the activity their were participating in, but those that lingered truly graced us with His peace. They lingered to play with our hair (13-15-yr-old boys!), show us the purses and hats they had learned to crochet (13-15-yr-old boys!), and tell us all that they were learning in their vacation courses at school. The atmosphere was very calm, but His presence was just a sweet aroma through the hearts of these young men, still longing for the love and affection they can't find with parents, nor in a special home they can call their own.

The faces and the hugs of those kids whom I know so well truly touched the hearts of my co-workers that day, and I reveled in sharing my secret treasure with them. But the biggest treasure of all was experiencing the true meaning of Christmas alongside them...the act of giving to those in need. No greater joy can be found anywhere but in that very moment.

And it all began with a little 6-year-old boy's dream. We truly are inheritors of His great, overflowing, kingdom of gifts, and it is a delight to share this inheritance from our Father of Lights, God Emmanuel, Giver of all good gifts. It is in the giving that we truly receive. It is in the giving that we experience the true meaning of Christmas. FELIZ NAVIDAD, everyone!!