What fun God has planning surprises for His kids!  We had our Christmas program on Friday, Dec. 20,  and God sent some jaw-dropping gifts to show His love.

As God has put it on our hearts, the school children and staff spend time with the Lord in quiet heart searching, cleansing and preparation before any program.  This we did, which made us ready for His surprises.  It was time to start the program, so I went outside to call the parents in from the kitchen area where they were preparing lunch.  As I went out the door, 7 visitors met me.  Timing is everything.  OCP is the primary oil producing company in Ecuador.   Every school, foundation, community, whatever is ALWAYS begging them for donations or gifts – except us. We do not solicit gifts from anyone.   God, however, has made it a point to have some businesses bless our children every year and OCP is one such company.  The leader of the PR group is a believer and so enjoys coming to bless and be blest.   They gave each child a gift and then we were able to bless them with fudge that Zakry and his junior highers made for the celebration.  What fun!

They blessed us

We blessed them

The OCP visitors stayed for a couple of songs from the children, individual hugs and thank-you’s.  I asked if I could pray over them outside so the program could continue.  Those that had come before were eager to receive a word from the Lord.  God had a special message for each one and I watched fear turn to joy in the eyes of the soldiers that accompanied the company officials.

When I returned to the program,  the children were just beginning a song that is not Christmas related, but a song of deep love for Jesus.  God’s presence had filled the room and the parents were transfixed.   When the song finished, the children stood up and picked up their flags but a hush stayed over the audience.  No one clapped, they simply basked and we went into a prayer of love and praise.   It was awesome.

Parent enthusiasm

We, the Injerds, pray that you, too, will spend time singing a love song to Jesus and experience the peace of His presence as we celebrate the birth of our King.

The children presented the Christmas story with joy

The Annunciation.
Each group brought a different part of the Christmas story

The youngest student (4 yrs) was the star of the journey to Bethlehem

Baby Mary and Jesus

A job well done!  The key to the new, finished fence has been presented.  Praise God!

Praise God!  We are grateful to announce the completion of a beautiful and secure chain-link fence around the Tambo school.  Thank you all for your prayers with us.  Erland planned, directed and labored in the project for six months, persevering through many difficulties and setbacks with unreliable hired help.  In the end, it was Erland, Zak and a few hired fathers from the school who put their backs into the hard work of hauling materials, stretching the fencing, and mixing cement.  Dave did the welding and ran the gas-powered cement mixer, as well as giving invaluable input and counsel throughout the project.  What a blessing to have a quality finished product to show for all their effort!  We praise God for protection for the workmen and His provision to see it through to completion.

Steep, muddy terrain made the project a challenge

The teachers and children are blessed and excited to have a protected area for the school buildings – as well as a fence to prevent the soccer ball from rolling down the hill!  The children were also delighted to help clean up bits of wire and trash in the wake of the construction.

Dave was excited to polish up on rusty welding skills