This is always a fun time of year in Chiang Mai, thanks to two generous partners we are able to have Christmas parties on campus for both the House of Love and the House of Blessing preschool. It is not a typical party like you would expect: someone generally shares a message or Bible lesson for the children, worship songs, and then of course gift giving. This year however, we are looking for ways to help all the kids we work with to cultivate a heart for giving no matter how much they have.

Cultivating a Heart for Giving

At the preschool Christmas program the kids each received gift bags which included items such as chips, candy canes, dried noodles, cookies, a small toy, and some Thai snacks. Of course the kids were still ecstatic; several proudly showed off their bags and pointed out the dried noodles and said they now had something to give to their parents. Another asked for an extra candy cane so they could give it to their brother at home. Hearing all of this, my heart melted – these kids did not just want to receive, they wanted to give as well. I truly believe there is joy built into us with a desire to give. Even when we don’t have a lot we still have a desire to give and in doing so, we become more connected to each other. I don’t believe this desire to give is a simple evolutionary trait but rather something that God built into our DNA to help us to be closer as families and communities. 

At the House of Love, the kids had an opportunity to give as well. The staff helped the kids prepare gift bags which they took to the neighbors nearby and wished them a Merry Christmas (pic in the header above.) Most of the neighbors are Buddhist so it was a good opportunity to build some relationships. Then, for the third year in a row, the Christmas party reached beyond the kids who live in the group home – we also invited children and their families whom we are working with in families or extended family. I’m going to be honest, last year there was a little bit of tension between the kids who still live at the House of Love and those who live with families. This year, however, felt very different and it was exactly what we had hoped for; the kids celebrated together like it was a family reunion. They ran around and played together, sat together at dinner, and were genuinely excited to see each other. I loved to see kids introduce their parents to their friends. While many of the families we work with are single parents, only two are two single fathers. These two widowed men lost hope and thought they could not take care of their children so they came to the House of Love for help. Now, we have been working with the fathers for the past two years. A year after bringing the kids back, they have both found new hope and gained resilience to challenges. One of the fathers had come straight from work and was clearly exhausted but his youngest daughter was watching out for him and brought him food before giving him a big hug. He didn’t have to come, we picked up his girls from school but he still wanted to be at the party with them. By the end of the evening he was volunteering to join up on stage with a dance activity. It seems like two very small things but just a few years ago he didn’t think he could be a father. We are seeing transformation, not just in the kids but in families as well! Praise God.

End of Year Opportunities

As we approach the end of 2024 and look towards 2025, there are two opportunities for you to give: First, the gifts received this year at House of Love, House of Blessing, and CDPD are lower than in years past and so please consider giving to the House of Love and House of Blessing Please help us to continue supporting children and families to find hope and wholeness. 

to give to the House of Love’s Family Strengthening Program

to give to the House of Blessing’s Scholarship Program

Additionally, one of our projects this next year is for the kids and families we work with to understand and connect with people from all over the world. We want them to know that when they receive food, training, or educational funding it is not just coming from an organization but rather gifts from people. To do this we are starting a wall of pictures of supporters. Would you please email us a picture of yourself? Individuals, families, churches – however you want to be represented. We will print them out and post the pictures at the House of Love for the children and families to see and pray over you as well. Thank you!