Celebrations

When Brayan and Pamela finished sixth grade, they were taken to Chili's to celebrate.  Since then, that has become a tradition.  The first year there was two kids that graduated sixth grade, the second and third years, there was one.  This year there was six. 

After the carnival and the fried chicken feed, the remainder of the Jesus Banquet group took these six to Chili's.  It was quite an event. 

Oops.  I almost forgot Karol and Kelin. 

We all rode in the van and it was a fun trip to town.  I loved hearing the kids laugh and talk.  We got to Chili's before the crowd, thankfully.

There were a lot of smiles.

The burgers were so big.  The kids did not know how to eat them.

We ordered two moltens for six kids.  That was plenty.

So much fun.

The kids were happy on the way to town, but on the way home, they were ridiculously silly.  Cindy kept getting more and more wound up.  There is no telling when she settled down and went to sleep. 

Our kids' grades have never been great.  Passing, but not great.  Most of them can do better.  Back in February, I challenged them.  Anyone that could 85% all year would be treated to pizza by me.  At first, I thought it was just going to be Josue going for pizza.  I thought he might not have too much fun with just me, so I invited Matt, Nicole and the girls.  Then I found out Rosy's grades were better than Josue's.   Yay Rosy!  She got to participate in all the celebrations.

I ordered 2 great big pepperoni cheesy-bite pizzas.  And, there was not much left.  I ordered one super sundae for the kids, Haley and Emma Kate as well.

I think Josue needed a spoon for each hand to eat that ice cream.

I hope that next year I have a great big group going with me to celebrate good grades.

Fried Chicken At The Feeding Center

Five days a week approximately 200 hundred children are fed at the feeding center in Buen Samaritano,  Two days they receive beans and rice, one day soup, one day spaghetti, and one day arroz con pollo (chicken and rice).  There is no meat in the spaghetti and very little chicken in the arroz con pollo.  Along with this, they receive 2 corn tortillas and a glass of water.  Most of these children receive no other meal during the day.  Just think, if this is what you ate every week, how good some fried chicken would taste.

The day after the carnival this is what the children were served.  We bought 500 pieces of fried chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken.  The two cooks that prepare the meals every day made mashed potatoes.  They still got two tortillas and instead of water, each child received a glass of coke.  For these children, this was a feast.

Thankfully, things were much calmer and more organized than the day before at the carnival.  There were many smiles, from both the children and the servers.

Preparing.

Waiting

You know how good this looks.  Can you imagine how good it tasted when you are used to beans and rice or not eating at all?

Getting ready to eat.

Other happy faces.

A big thank you to those who came and made this day special for these children and a big thank you to all those you donated to this meal.  It was a special day for everyone.

Jesus Banquet 2.0

This year we decided to do something different with the Jesus Banquet.  We had a carnival.  There were eight games.  Tickets were given and with the tickets prizes could be purchased.  The prizes included toys, shoes underwear, socks, blankets, towels and other household items.

The carnival was to start at 10:00.  This is the crowd that awaited us when we arrived shortly after 9.00.  I do believe they were eager for this event to start.

The games were set up easily and quickly.  The prize tables took a bit longer to set up.

Moms and children enjoyed the games.

This was the first, last and only time the prize tables were neatly organized.

People carefully selected their prizes.  At least in the beginning.   Then chaos ensued.

And more chaos when the pizza arrived.











I thought I would be able to take more pictures than I did, but we were quite busy.  I watched many children pass the toys and go for the underwear and socks.  The adults were going for the blankets.  Nice thick warm blankets.  I was working the blanket table when a dirty little boy about 8 years old walked up.  He had blond streak in his hair, indicating malnutrition.  He wanted to get a blanket.  The blankets cost 15 tickets.  He walked by all other tables to get a blanket.  Eight years old.  My heart cried.

When there was only two blankets left and several people waiting in line to get one, I thought there was going to be a fight.  Fortunately, it was just a minor scuffle.

After the blankets were gone and then the towels, people were afraid they were not going to get anything and stormed in.  There was not enough of us to control this crowd.  My first thought was were is Little Emma.  She could have been trampled to death.  When I saw her safely in someone else's arms, I went about the business of trying to form lines  We were somewhat successful in making the people get in lines because we refused to let them use their tickets if lines were not formed.

The whole event lasted about an hour and a half, though at times it seemed liked all day.  About 500 people were served and again at times, it seemed liked 10 million.

Next year we need more people.  And more prizes.

Matt and Nicole did  an outstanding job of organizing this event.  Our workers were few, but blessings were many.

This little cutie is one of 500 reasons for the Jesus Banquet 2.0