The Cercadillo Project

If there is a limit to how much fun a group of people can have in one day, we may have surpassed it in Cercadillo yesterday.

First we had a party for preschoolers. . .

Lots of gifts and prizes!

Happy preschoolers with...

happy feet in their new flipflops.

Then it was time for the children to come.

Playing "Christmas Bingo" - their second most favorite game.

Their most favorite game - musical chairs.

Although everyone was excited about their new flipflops (Thank you, Trinity Baptist Church in Aurora, CO) one boy was especially thankful.  Look closely at the picture below and you’ll see the holes in the sandals he had been wearing.  He threw his old sandals into the grass and in less than a minute someone who was watching the party picked up the old sandals and started wearing them.

Thanks to everyone who sent school supplies, coloring books, toys and little gifts. And thanks so much for supporting me so that I have the incredible privilege of being here!

Traditionally, children go to bed on the 5th of January with the hope that the Three Kings who brought presents to Jesus will bring something to them.  The Dominican government moved the celebration to the 10th of January this year.   Because I can get the most help on Saturdays, we decided to have the big general party in Cercadillo today.  I just returned home and I’m beat!

Somewhere between 150 and 160 preschool and elementary age children came.  We showed the movie “Finding Nemo” and each child received a little bag of school supplies, a small toy, cookies and juice.  Overall the children were well behaved and my faithful workers Brigida, Rafaelina and Daniel were invaluable help, as well as some of the women of the village.

On Monday afternoon we will have two more parties: one for preschoolers and one for elementary age children who are regular attenders in our Sunday programming. Stay tuned for Three Kings Day – Round Two!