Last night we celebrated Christmas at the Beautiful Dream Centre for victims of human trafficking.The coffee table of the shelter was piled high with presents wrapped in happy shades of red and green as the Beach Boys Christmas album played through a small speaker of one of the American volunteer’s iTunes.This music seemed appropriate since it was summer time here in the Southern hemisphere.There were enough presents for each resident of the shelter, each BDS staff member and each dedicated house mom and volunteer, thanks to the Beautiful Conference and Victory Church members.We played a fun game, very common in the US, called Dirty Santa where each person draws a number and takes turns picking either a gift from the pile or taking a gift that has already been opened by someone else.This was the first time that any of our African friends had played the game.
Laughter and giggles prevailed as each person took a turn.I will never forget the expression on one of our residents face when she opened her package to reveal a jar of bright red and green gumballs with a bright ribbon wrapped around it.She screamed and jumped up and down as if she had won a million dollars!She loves sweets, and in her native country of China, she had never celebrated Christmas, since she has only come to know Christ since coming to the Beautiful Dream Centre.
After fun was had by all and everyone had a Dirty Santa present and another present, the evening’s festivities came to a close as two of the residents led in a Christmas prayer of thanksgiving for all God had done in their lives and in the Beautiful Dream Centre.During the prayer, I looked over and our two newest residents were both weeping covering their faces with their hands.As the house moms seated next to the two beautiful 16-year-olds wrapped their arms around the girls, I’m sure there was not a dry eye in the house.After the prayer, Sonya, our Director, gently asked one of the girls why she was crying.The precious girl replied with tears in her eyes, “This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever been given a present”.
The old saying has never been more poignant: “There is a first time for everything.”
Merry Christmas to all, and May God Bless you for all you have done to help see lives made beautiful!
-Jennifer
Posted on
Sat, December 10, 2011
by Jennifer Crow
filed under