El Espiritu Navideño...otherwise known as ¨Christmas Spirit¨!

Peace of Christ and Advent Greetings to all! I pray that each day your hearts are being prepared for the birth of the Christ Child…filled with the spirit of true joy and peace. Sometimes we get lost in the holiday hustle and bustle and forget to relish the simple things… like catching a snowflake on your tongue, sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, a slice of pumpkin pie fresh from the oven, the mittened hand of a child´s in yours, the way your boots ´crunch´ in the snow and the laughter of your family while singing Christmas carols in the car. These are just some of things I´m missing this year, as it´s my second Christmas away from home. But we have been preparing for Christmas nonetheless, ´Ecuadorian style´. On the first Sunday of Advent, we decorated the Internado house with the teenage girls…putting up a little Christmas tree, and colorful ribbons to adorn the walls. Each girl made an ornament for the tree and has a little felt stocking adorned with her name hanging on the front door. They especially love the Christmas lights we conjured up…one strand even plays Christmas carols! Seeing the girls delight in these little things brings joy to my heart and I know that Christmas will find us wherever we are in the world…if we remember what CHRISTmas is really about.

Decorating the Christmas Tree with the girls!

Perhaps this note finds some of you feeling stressed about trying to find the ´perfect´ gift for the person who always says they ¨don´t need anything.¨ What if I were to tell you that I have a solution? Why not give this person an invaluable present that cannot be tossed aside, tucked away in the closet or ‘re-gifted.’ In the name of your loved one, I invite you to give the gift of education to a child or teenager here at the Santuario. You can let them know via a simple Christmas card that you have made this thoughtful and generous donation on their behalf.
You see, one of the foundation’s major benefactors can no longer provide the $18 monthly stipend fee previously allotted for 70 children. If this stipend goes unpaid, the students are not permitted to take their exams, and they fail the school year. Students who “fail” the school year because they cannot afford the fees often do not return the following year, because why study for several months out of the year, only to be left unable to complete it for financial reasons beyond their control? With only four months left, it would be an immense shame if these students were to lose all the hard work they’d invested. Additionally, when a student cannot pay their stipend, their teachers go unpaid. If teachers go unpaid, their families suffer as well.

Thus, I pray that in the joy of this upcoming holiday season, God would inspire your heart to be an angel of HOPE for these children and teenagers, and even teachers. By giving these students an education, you give them an opportunity to have a future and realize their dreams. This gift is an investment in the well-being of not just one person, but in many, because you’ll empower these children to be the ones who can help their families who suffer in poverty.

Some of the high school students who benefit from scholarships,

in the recent exposition of ´table settings´ - This is the Christmas table!

Time is of the essence, because as mentioned above, without this pension, students are not permitted to take their exams, and teachers will not be paid. The most efficient way to help would be to make a one-time donation to cover the 4 months of education for one child: a total cost of $72. If you should choose to sponsor a child, eventually I would be able to send you a name and photo of the student whom you are giving this precious gift. If you cannot provide a full scholarship, please consider making whatever size donation you can.

Please don’t hesitate to email me at sweetjomocha@hotmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. Checks may be written in my name and mailed or given to my parents (Greg or Kathy Moch). In this way, I’ll be able to receive your donations here in Ecuador via my bank account without each of you having to pay immense transfer fees.
Johanna Moch c/o Greg & Kathy Moch
P.O. Box 264
Gypsum, CO 81637

Should you need to communicate with my parents, who are generously coordinating this project State-side, please feel free to call them at 524-7262.

We think of Christmas as a time for miracles, yet it is not because of Santa Clause and the pitter-patter of reindeer’s hooves…but rather because we celebrate with awe and wonder the mystery in which God become man; and in this innocent babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, we know that with Him ALL things are possible. Be the miracle for these children…whether it be through a donation, or through your prayers. They are waiting…

Our little manger scene in the internado...we´re waiting for the true Christmas miracle! JESUS!

Thank you from the bottom of all our hearts, and may God bless you and your families abundantly during this Christmas season…until next time.