Global Celebration’s Christmas with the Orphans

Nicaragua - December 23rd 2008 - January 1st 2009

Hello friends, this is Yana Banova-Brink from the Missions Department. I hope you are excited about the holiday season, spending time with family and getting prepared for our trip. We depart in just 36 days!

By now most of you have already purchased your airline tickets, and have your passports updated. Are you already packing in your head? Have you visited our FAQ page for suggestions on what to pack? How about gifts for the orphans? There are many ideas that you and your family can plan to bring such as:

• Toys (both wrapped and unwrapped)
• Clothes (new or “like new” only)
• School supplies
• Single bed sheets are great items to donate to the orphanage
• Soccer balls + pumps (easy to bring deflated)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste (Tip: Ask your dentist for donations!)
• Candy and chocolate for holiday piñatas
• Stickers and temporary tattoos are great to pass out to children on the streets
• (All gifts and donations will be given to the local pastors to distribute as needed)
• Canned Ham (if you can find any canned ham that does not need refrigeration it would be greatly appreciated)

Be creative! Ladies, clean out your jewelry box and bring your un-wanted or un-needed items and to give to the teenagers and women on the streets. That’s one of my favorite things to do! How about visiting the dollar store and stocking up on toy cars or GI Joes for the little boys? Do you have balloon blowing skills, or know how to make balloon animals? Bring a few bags of balloons and a few pumps…it will keep the children entertained for hours!

Schedule:

I have finished the much anticipated daily schedule, and it is attached to this email. Keep in mind it is ‘tentative’ and Georgian, Winnie and Arturo are often prompted to change plans according the Holy Spirit’s leading, so please be flexible!

Final Payments

Please don’t forget that the final payment is due December 1st. Please refer to the email I sent you individually concerning your final payment amount. If you anticipate that your final payment will be late, please let me know right away.

That’s it for now! I am compiling a list of hotels and hotel information that we will stay at on our trip, so you can give to your family and friends at home so they will know how to reach you if need-be. The list will be heading your way soon!!

Muchos Gracias! Gloria a Dios! Feliz Cumpleanos! Ariba!!! J

Cheers and blessings,

Yana Banova-Brink

yana@riverlution.net