Welcome back. You belong here.

My heart is upside down. This morning, Rachelle our children and I spent time at our church’s “Shining Star” Christmas party. “Shining Star” is a program that helps families in need during the holidays. We had about 100 people in the room, free pictures w/Santa and free food.

We sat with David and Clarissa and their two children. They all attend Foster Elementary where our children attend, a low income, 65% free or reduced lunch school where about 1/3 (about 100) of the children receive aid from the school’s food bank.

It was so weird sitting with them, because we know them and have talked to them many times at the school. We didn’t know they would be there, and they didn’t know we’d be there. They were the “family in need” and we were there to “help families in need.” Very strange.

I mostly hung out with the Spanish speaking families, translating, helping, hearing their stories. I walked Maria and her mom out to the car and their rear tires are completely bald. Remember, we live in Denver, CO where tomorrow we expect 1-2 feet of snow. Maria has three small children, her husband left her. Her mom is here during the holidays to give her a hand.

This coming Friday, I will be helping at deportation center here in Denver, CO. There will be over 300 people waiting to be sent back. They bring groups of 50 in, and we will play music, spend time together, praying, hearing their stories. I am expecting that to be pretty heavy, especially during this time of the year. I was reading in the paper today that many immigrants are going back due to the winter (no jobs in landscaping or construction), immigration laws and the bad economy. Families are being split. We hear similar stories at Foster Elementary.

I am so glad to have a chance to help others, sometimes I feel so helpless. What can you do this Christmas to help a family in need?

Weather report: Tomorrow, high of 18, low of zero (yes zero).

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT