Choosing Our Charities

Each of the kids puts part of his or her allowance in the DONATE section of the piggy bank every week. This weekend, we counted out what they had in that section, we discussed different ways of donating our funds, and each of the kids got to choose where his money and matching parent-funds went for Christmas donations.

Will wanted his to go to help military, Ben insisted his go to a hospital and selected the NICU he was born in, and Jon really wanted his to go to the hospital Ssali was born in, but we settled for sending it to Parental Care Ministries with a note explaining he wanted it to be used for medical expenses at the Mbarara school. Maddie asked that hers go to the Salivation Army... that's how she kept reading it. I constantly corrected her pronounciation since I kept thinking of a bunch of drooling dogs when she said it.

I am thinking about putting a present under our tree for Jesus. Though it won't be able to include everything we do in His name this time of year, I want to show the kids that even though we aren't writing a check ON Christmas Day, we have done many things this month to honor Him and His birthday and His children -- young and old. It would be a small reminder to them, as they are tearing into presents, that He is who we are celebrating.

Dear Jesus,

When you were born, the shepherds and wise men traveled far to find You. The wise men brought gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. Gold was the metal of kings, and their gift to you acknowledged the King of kings. Frankincense was an offering of thanksgiving and praise to our great High Priest. Myrrh was used for embalming – strange to us, but it was a gift of faith in You. We pray that we may be like the wise men, constantly seeking you. May we open our treasures and present you with gifts, and may we always strive to give you even more of our treasures and ourselves. This birthday season, we have gifts for you:

Will gives a gift to your soldiers – men and women who have been hurt and disabled fighting for our country. Ben gives a gift to your sick and weak – babies born sick or prematurely at the St. John hospital NICU. Maddie gives a gift to your child – nine-year old Arnold will be getting a new bike for Christmas through the local Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Jon gives a gift to your orphans – the medical team in Mbarara, Uganda, the town where Ssali lives.

 

We pray that we honor you by sharing our treasures, our gifts, and our time with Your people. Happy birthday, Jesus! We love you!

Love, The 6 Kaisers