This weekend we were able to be a part of two of the most amazing outreaches we have done all year. Saturday morning a team of volunteers headed to one of the local nursing homes that we visit monthly that has also transformed into a site where we have a monthly church service on Sunday evenings for the residents. The residents of Sunrise Assisted Living Home joined in with Servolution and stuffed 150 stockings full of candy for the Foster Care Children’s Christmas Party that happened Saturday afternoon at the Baton Rouge Dream Center.

It was amazing to watch these precious people find such joy and purpose in being able to give back and serve during the holiday season and take ownership over this outreach. After stuffing the stockings and sharing in some Christmas carols, we loaded up and headed to the Dream Center.

It was there that the Dream Center team had partnered with the Office of Child Services to throw a HUGE Christmas party for 150 local foster care children. WOW. How amazing to watch the love of God poured out to those without families or hope in this Christmas season. There was plenty of food, fun, dancing and presents for all of these beautiful children to remind them that they are loved- by us, but more importantly by God.

It was impossible not to reflect on this day of serving without the scripture from James coming to mind, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress”. That is God’s heart and that is exactly what our team was able to witness on Saturday. What an honor to serve those God has given us!

That was just the beginning of our Christmas outreaches, and we are looking forward to our big Dream Center outreaches this weekend when hundreds of families will come together to bless others with gifts and love in Baton Rouge & Donaldsonville. Make sure to be a part, or join with your church to bring joy and hope during Christmas!