Christmas Report 2002

     One of the most awaited and celebrated events in the Philippines is Christmas. As early as September Christmas songs could be heard over the radio. Almost all the houses (rich and poor) were decorated with lanterns and Christmas lights. Christian churches all over the country conducted nine days Dawn Services from December 16-24. Family members gathered together at the table for the Christmas Eve celebration, reading Christmas passages, to pray together and after wards exchange gifts. On Christmas day, most people are in their best dress to visit relatives and their friends. Christmas is a time where there is less crime in the country and where people are loving, affectionate and kind.

     FHI Child Sponsorship Program helped families celebrate Christmas meaningful. Christmas theme this year was "Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Child Is Given" Isaiah 9:6a. In partnership with the local churches in the community, Christmas program was held for the children and their family members. The essence and real meaning of Christmas was shared and reiterated to the people. During the altar call, a number of children and adults made decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

     In honor of the Celebrator Jesus Christ, our CDP children performed various musical numbers in songs, dance and role-play presentation. 

     FHI have provided Christmas gifts to the children for them to understand the value of God's gift to mankind through Jesus Christ. The CDP children received as well apple and candies. FHI have provided about 3,000 Christmas baskets to CDP families to make their Christmas celebration more meaningful. The basket contained various groceries such as spaghetti noodles, meat loaf, corned beef, butter and a pack of juice drink.

     To share the love of God to other needy families not included in the CDP program, a tribal group in the Philippines called "Badjao" was selected to benefit this year's outreach ministry. FHI trained our own people, poor, as they are to share and to reach out to others who are in need and to ask the rich people in the community to share their blessings to the poor. The "Badjao's" were tribal families from Mindanao Island who migrated to Batangas City in search of a greener pasture and to avoid the conflict between rebel groups and the military groups in Mindanao. The "Badjao's" are illiterates and does not know about God. FHI thanked God for this wonderful opportunity to minister to this group and to share the love of God. 

     Indeed Christmas is a season of joy and goodness. Our gratitude to God for CDP sponsors who have provided continuous assistance to Food for the Hungry Child Development Program. Your giving was very much appreciated. May God continue to return to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over His blessings.

  Program Update Archives    

• CDP Day Program 2002
• Christmas Program 2001
• CDP Day Program 2001
• Summer Program 2001
• Christmas Program 2000

  Photos from Christmas Program   


Christmas Worship
 

Children receiving gifts.