A Gift for Jenni

Jenni is the little girl in the front with the long hair

As a family and extended family (Bryan, myself, Emma, Caitlyn, my parents, my brother, Bryan's Mom and Doug, Grandma and Aunt Jane) we decided to donate the money we would usually spend on one another to an organization called the Farm of the Child. Farm of the Child USA is a Catholic, non-profit organization dedicated to support Finca Del Nino, a family-style orphanage that provides education, health care, spiritual formation and community outreach in Trujillo, Honduras.

We got paired with a little 10 year old girl named Jennifer Cristina Murillo (Jenni). Nathan's friend Laura worked at the Farm and personally knows Jenni which makes it an extra special connection. Our financial donation will help to support her for the next year. We will also be corresponding with her.

Emma and Caitlyn's part - the first Sunday of Advent we sat down with the girls and explained our gift to Jenni. We of course used pretty simple terms, explaining that her parents are sick and other adults help take care of her and that our money would help them take care of her. We asked them if they would like to take some of their Christmas money and give it to her instead of buying toys. They both said "yes" and seemed to understand it, especially Emma.

So, each day they both have the opportunity to earn 4 stars. If they earn their stars they earn 1.00 to put in Jenni's basket. Between them, they will donate 50.00 by Christmas day. They both talk about Jenni, draw her pictures, say goodnight to her picture and tell her they love her. It has been such a great way to begin to teach them about giving to others and thinking of others in need. We hope to do something like this every year.

Caitlyn, Jenni and Emma on Christmas Eve