Dear friends,
Here we are, almost a month after Christmas already! Here in Egypt, though, Christmas is on Jan 7th, and very little fuss is made about it in the stores. So we Christians have the great advantage of actually spending time thinking of what it all really means, and for even 2 weeks longer than people in the West! Add to that the fact that Jesus was born into a situation somewhat like the Garbage Village, and you can see why I love living in Egypt at Christmas-time!
 I have asked my assistant at the Center of Love, Sherry Nabil, to write to you this time. (By the way, she is the pretty one hugging a girl in the first picture!) So here she is:
Now that it has been almost 5 months since the start of a new academic year at the Center, we’d love to share with you some of our news, so you may continue praying for our ministry.
The Center of Love classes gradually regained full functioning after a month break in August. We started the year by a day trip for all the children & staff, God gifted us with a generous donation which covered the expenses of such a wonderful trip in a beautiful place in Cairo where the children truly enjoyed the swimming pool & had some fun in a safe, cozy environment (which they rarely get a chance to experience.)
We held two training sessions for our teachers which enhanced their technical skills as well as boosted their energy to serve & teach these less-fortunate children with renewed motivation. Trainings were held by two experts who work in the same field of Special Needs in the United States & also in Egypt.
And this month we had another trip for our children in both the Academic & Vocational Training Departments; you can see the happiness on their faces in the photos.
 Of course, I cannot forget to share with you our experience sharing in different Christmas bazars, where we sold many items made by the children and young adults in the vocational training regularly done at the Center of Love. We were blessed with good sales; the income went in favor of both those who made these beautiful items and the Center of Love itself. In the photo you will see 2 of our children together with Rebecca Atallah.
Last but not least, we were blessed early this month with a visit from a Sunday School at my church to the Center (they were 16 kids in Grades 1-3, most of whom had never had the chance to meet such children as those at the Center of Love.) It was heart-moving seeing those visiting kids smiling, hugging, shaking hands & giving nice presents to the Center children.
God is always so good to us!
We do appreciate the support that many of you provide us, through your prayers & also financially.
Love in Christ,
Sherry and Rebecca
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