“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25
The magic of Christmas time will soon be upon us.
It is seen in the outward signs of expectation, reflected in the brightly lit ornaments and trees, the colors of the season, the light that seems to enter into each home anew at this special time.
Yet there is so much more to this time than the reflected lights shining from our trees.
This is a time when we once again are reminded of the hope of Christmas, the healing of Christmas, and the gift of unconditional love given to each of us through the birth of the Christ child.
This is the true meaning of Christmas, this gift of unconditional love.
It is a time when we reach into our hearts and remember, and as a reflection of this memory, give gifts of love to another .
Christmas in Africa, a program begun by Bill Wallof at PalmaCeia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida over a decade ago, is one way that people are able to reach out and share this love with others with great need.
For this is an opportunity to share a gift of love with family and friends, as well as to address the needs of those in our partner village of Papoli, Uganda. By purchasing a gift to give, you are helping feed children, provide medical care, address poverty, open the door to a future through education, and provide means of self-sufficiency to this community.
With Christmas in Africa, loved ones are honored by providing gifts in their name. A tree, a goat, or a mosquito net; a day of food for a sick child, vaccinations to prevent illness and treatment of disease, a book for learning, the gift of schooling, or other items can be purchased, and given to another in the name of the person you choose.
A list of gifts to choose from is available for you to review on this webpage. A card can be downloaded, and sent to the one you honor, and they will know that their gift truly is giving to another.
At this time of year, when we remember the greatest gift ever given to us, please consider sharing your gift of love with others, both here, and far away.
For it is in giving that we truly receive.
We just must have eyes open to see, and ears to hear, as we answer His call to our hearts.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
