It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

Outside the temperatures are in the 80’s.  The tree leaves are green, as is the grass and other plants.  The hibiscus bushes continue to bloom, and although mango season is coming to an end, other fruits and vegetables are growing away, full of color and flavor. 

In the midst of all this tropical beauty, Christmas lights are beginning to show up on some of the Jarabacoa houses.  Stores in nearby Santiago have been displaying Christmas trees, lights, and toys, for several weeks already. 

Teens working on a felt project in red & green.

Pre-teens with their Arboles de Navidad

Not to be outdone, the El Callejon Social Work site is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, too!  The groups have been working away at special projects to help decorate their homes for Navidad.



Flower 'petals' drying out back

While they are all clever, one in particular stands out.  What do you get if you take pantyhose, wire, paint, glue & glitter?  Who guessed a poinsettia?  No one?!  No, I wouldn’t have, either.  But, Daisy’s crafts are always a little unexpected… and amazing! 

The women have spent weeks patiently forming the wire, stretching the hose around it, painting, gluing and glittering.  I can’t wait until they put all the pieces together – and I think they can’t, either!

The women sharing conversation - and glitter!

Along with these crafts, we are looking forward to our year-end fiestas with each group.  There will be times for sharing and praising, times for fellowship and fun, and… si Dios quiere (the Lord willing) we will also have a wedding or two in December!

As they prepare to celebrate God’s perfect gift in Jesus, we’ve challenged each woman, teen and girl who comes to the site to spend time every day thanking God for His many gifts.  Although there are many challenges in their lives, there are also many reasons to give God thanks.   

When we ask the different groups, almost the first thing everyone mentions is their family.  Family is very important in El Callejon.  Even though there are quarrels and fights, family is the main focus and center of the lives of the people in this community. 

Our prayer is that the Social Work site can continue to help strengthen the families of El Callejon by teaching the women, teens and girls how to live their lives reflecting Jesus.  As they grow in Him, we pray their families will grow in Him, too. 

As we, too, look forward to Jesus, we, too, thank God for His many gifts, including several of YOU who have partnered with us in ministry.  Thank you for being a part of the lives of the women, teens & girls in El Callejon.  We hope you will stop by this site often for more of our year-end fun, reflections, and looking ahead to how God will continue to provide opportunities to meet Jesus in El Callejon in the new year.