American Missionary Fellowship

Ellice’s Story:

Larisa, This week I have been blessed with beanies, Bibles, pencils, and erasers. I am a 4th grade teacher, and many of my students went to the birthday party for Jesus. They all have new pencils, some with Bible verses or references to Bible verses. One boy has the Book of John and was walking around the room reading it out loud to his classmates. He has brought it every day this week. Another little boy told me he was reading his New Testament and also brought it to school to read.

One boy had a pencil with John 3:16 on it and asked me what it meant. I told him it was a Bible verse, and of course asked him if he would like to hear what it said. The student next to him said, “I would,” so I recited the verse. The boy with the pencil then asked me to repeat it. After doing so, I asked if he would like to know what it meant. So I was able to quickly explain the verse.

What joy it was for me to share with a few students about the love of God! I can hardly wait to see what this week brings. It is fun to see the kids excited over gloves and beanies that are being worn, and pencils that are being used. Thank you for allowing me to see the real meaning of Christmas come through a class of 4th graders.  — Ellice

More of the Nevada story from Larisa Craig:
José (not his real name) looked much younger than his twelve years. His little body was so small and underdeveloped that I could not imagine that he took care of six younger siblings, including two sets of twins. He had come to retrieve Christmas presents for his family from the very first Birthday Party for Jesus (BPJ) we held in his town. Sadly, that year was the one we ran out of gifts, and as an older boy (contrary to his appearance), he was one who went without.

Two years later, José was still slight in form but not in character. He came to our Birthday Party for Jesus with his six siblings in front of him, and we made sure to have enough gifts. In the past José’s mother sold gifts from local churches in order to buy drugs and alcohol. The contents of our gift boxes are hard to sell but of great value to the children who receive them: a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, gloves, a beanie hat, a small toy, and school supplies. These gifts and our BPJs are the highlight of José’s Christmas season.

Two young women in my ministry first suggested celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with a birthday party in 2004. As we began to discuss what a birthday party for Jesus would look like, our common theme was that Jesus was the best gift God gave us. We dreamed not just of throwing a birthday party where children would celebrate Jesus’ birth but also of giving each child a gift as a reminder that because of God’s love we were given the greatest gift of all.

At BPJs we play games, eat cupcakes, hear the Christmas story, and sometimes even sing a song or two. They are simple 60- to 90-minute parties, but they impact so many lives. I cannot count the number of parents and children who have told us how much these presents mean to them. Some even share that it is the only present they receive each year. It sure is a blessing to be part of such a great host of people who love others enough to give of their time and possessions so others can enjoy the Christmas season, too.

Volunteers help me run the parties, and churches, individuals, and other AMF missionaries donate boxes. Some of the donors have no church ties but donate gifts simply because they believe that all children should have Christmas presents. Our first BPJ in 2004 brought five children and one parent; in 2008, we held sixteen programs with 504 children. About 40% of them had guardians along, an amazing turnout in our area, where children are often left to themselves. We began putting together gift boxes for these parents and guardians as well, and we gave out nearly 330 last season. 

One of our original goals with BPJs was to have a second touch with children previously only seen once a year at Vacation Bible School. However, in recent years we have found that our BPJ ministry is often our first touch with families who have never before heard the Good News of Jesus nor had any contact previous contact with church. Ultimately, we have the hope that every child and adult in thirty-five communities in California and Nevada will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ at least once so they may choose Him as Savior.

Larisa Craig is the area missionary on the Eastern Sierra Field. Please pray for her strength, endurance, traveling safety, and focus as she prepares for next year’s BPJs in the midst of leading a mobile camp, Vacation Bible Schools, and other ministries throughout the year. She welcomes volunteer support and gift donations for the 2009 BPJs and other ministries on her field. For more information, click here.