Ashaninka volume 18

Rainy and muddy.....this was our day for the big Christmas party at the Ashaninka community.  Hot chocolate, made from chocolate bars, cinammon, cloves, sugar, powdered cocoa and evaporated milk for 150 people, a slice of the traditional Christmas sweet bread for each, called paneton, and a toy for each child were what drew the crowd.  The kids acting out the day of Jesus' birth, singing songs about God our Father, and the reading of Luke 2 were hopefully what will stick with them.


A new believer, Emma, from Pichanaki, heard what we were going to do and insisted on donating the gifts for the kids.  We know God will bless her for her generous heart.

 Lydia, our Ashaninka host, insisted on making the hot chocolate over her open fire, getting up early to get the water good and boiling and using cacao beans from her trees to add to the flavor.  We know God will bless her for her servant's heart.

A pastor friend, his daughter and two friends, all from Lima, traveled the 10 hours to share Jesus' love with these people, bringing with them games for the kids, songs, and many smiles.  We know God will bless them for their sacrifice and love.  This is actually the 4th year they have gone to this community to give some Christmas joy.  They are the ones who introduced us to this group and are very loved and appreciated.

A week later, we reapeated this whole thing at the Ashaninka elementary school of 107 kids and 4 teachers, which was a new and sweet experience for us.  The kids were rewarded for their accomplishments during the year and performed poems, songs and dances.  We were the honored guests, but were the ones who left being blessed.