Everyone reading this is probably able to relate to the hectic activities before Christmas. The planning, the shopping, the baking, the decorating, the wrapping… all with the average household being between four and six people.

Multiply that intensity by twelve to fifteen in compensating for the number of children and staff at the Home of Hope and you can maybe get an idea of “busy-ness” as it relates to Christmas here in GongYi.

It was just two days before Christmas and I was already feeling a little tired and worn out. We were in the process of setting up the stage for the several Christmas skits scheduled for our program on Christmas Eve…. I was walking across the main yard area and thinking about the Guests we had coming this year while making mental notes to check to make sure their rooms were ready the day before their arrival.

Even though I had played Scrooge and told the older college children if they really wanted a full blown Christmas Program (like we do every year) they had to do it all! “After all”, I said, “I am getting older. I am willing to pay for a nice dinner and anything else for the program but you have to carry the load on all the rest! Especially the physical work and the planning!” It really hadn’t mattered… after the first day into this I was drawn right smack dab in the middle of it all. By the stage no less!

The children said they could assemble the stage… Once assembled they had proudly found me to tell me it was done… making sure I realized they had done it all by them selves… (Of course I went on and on how proud I was of them for doing it alone!) I then told six of them to get on the stage and jump. Well you are right! It collapsed!

So as I walked toward the rec room I was hoping the stage didn’t need too much work to get it back in shape.

Suddenly there was this little tug on my leg and I looked down to see a smudged yet smiling face looking up at me… a face that showed minor indications of a past, successful cleft lip surgery…

Before I could respond her little voice said, “Our room (the Rec Room) is so beautiful and the Christmas tree is so beautiful and the curtains (stage curtains) are so beautiful and the music (Christmas Carols) is so beautiful! I just love Christmas!”

Well, to an old guy who sometimes wonders just how much difference we are truly making in the lives of these little ones… and how effective and long lasting what we are teaching them really is, it made a major, world of difference!

As I finished the walk to the Rec Room my steps were lighter… that Joy of Christmas I always experienced as far back as I can remember seemed to suddenly come out of nowhere as it wiped the tiredness away… I got the greatest kick out of the strange looks I received from the older kids when I walked into the Rec Room and shouted, “Merry Christmas” everybody!

Then Christmas Eve as we all gathered for our Christmas Dinner I was blown away by many of our alumni (children who grew up in the Home of Hope) who are now out on their own… some married… all successful in business or working good jobs… who found the time to “Come Home” for Christmas.

I realized my worry that comes on occasion that due to the nature of an orphanage, our children could grow up thinking they should always receive, were actually misplaced… each of the children drew two names of the other children and they had to use their own allowance to buy them gifts. I was surprised that we seemed to have more under our tree this year than every before.. and the children were so excited about giving to each other! It seems the lessons on “… it’s more blessed to give than to receive” have taken root!

Of course it was all topped off by a group from California who generously provided new Winter Coats, Pants and boots for each child!

We want to thank all of you who make this possible and also send you a most Happy and Healthy New Year Greetings from all of us at the Home of Hope.

Happy New Year!