History of the Angel Bags Project
In the fall of 2001 while we were sitting at the National Missionary Convention in Tulsa, OK, the idea of the Angel Bags project was born. Melinda Wilson asked Cris Garcia of the Bethshean Mexico Mission if there were children associated with the mission that could benefit from gifts being sent down from the states. It could help meet a physical need, but at the same time it would encourage the Christians in those villages that their brothers and sisters in Christ in the states were thinking of them. So, that year Cris made a list of the kids she knew in each of the churches then Mt. Carmel Christian Church "adopted" each child and bought the gifts to be sent. We packaged them and sent them to the border where Cris later went and picked up the gifts to deliver. We also included the elderly in the elderly home in Estancia. Each year it grew to include more kids, and in 2002 Keri actually went down with Cris to deliver the gifts face to face. Since then the project is one that if you ever went, you will never be the same.
Over the years there have been changes in the way we have collected the gifts and distributed them, but we have always kept sharing God's love as the main goal. The project out grew Mt. Carmel early on so now many other churches are involved and even Christian schools have become involved. In 2007 our goal was to have 1000 bags collected as well as "extra" gifts we allow the kids to choose and give to their parents. We want them to learn the importance and joy of giving, not just receiving, but it is pretty difficult when you don't have anything to give. So, after we share the story of Christmas with the kids, we allow them to make a card for their parents, and decorate a paper bag. They then get to go to the "gift box" and choose a gift to give to their parents. From there they go and line up to receive their gift bag.
2008 was beyond our wildest dreams. We talked with Cris and after she thought of each village, the goal of 1500 bags was set. Never did we expect to see over 2700 kids. So, the goal for 2009 was 3000 bags to be collected and distributed. Now each year we have a goal of around 3,000 bags and rotate the locations on the field where we go depending on Cris' decision of the greatest need. Each year we see more and more parents as well, so there continues to be a great need for parent gifts.
Having been able to do this project for many years, we are now seeing and hearing the impact this outreach has. There have been villages where Cris and her ministers were not able to reach, but now that Angel Bags has gone and delivered gifts, a weekly bible study is given. Also, it impacts the parents. We heard word that due to the love shown to the kids, a father began going to church and was baptized. We may never know all the success stories, but we plan to be faithful in this outreach to open the door for the gospel.
Over the years there have been changes in the way we have collected the gifts and distributed them, but we have always kept sharing God's love as the main goal. The project out grew Mt. Carmel early on so now many other churches are involved and even Christian schools have become involved. In 2007 our goal was to have 1000 bags collected as well as "extra" gifts we allow the kids to choose and give to their parents. We want them to learn the importance and joy of giving, not just receiving, but it is pretty difficult when you don't have anything to give. So, after we share the story of Christmas with the kids, we allow them to make a card for their parents, and decorate a paper bag. They then get to go to the "gift box" and choose a gift to give to their parents. From there they go and line up to receive their gift bag.
2008 was beyond our wildest dreams. We talked with Cris and after she thought of each village, the goal of 1500 bags was set. Never did we expect to see over 2700 kids. So, the goal for 2009 was 3000 bags to be collected and distributed. Now each year we have a goal of around 3,000 bags and rotate the locations on the field where we go depending on Cris' decision of the greatest need. Each year we see more and more parents as well, so there continues to be a great need for parent gifts.
Having been able to do this project for many years, we are now seeing and hearing the impact this outreach has. There have been villages where Cris and her ministers were not able to reach, but now that Angel Bags has gone and delivered gifts, a weekly bible study is given. Also, it impacts the parents. We heard word that due to the love shown to the kids, a father began going to church and was baptized. We may never know all the success stories, but we plan to be faithful in this outreach to open the door for the gospel.