Today was our staff Christmas party. This is a highlight of the year for us. I guarantee you that you've never seen so many sober adults having so much fun. There's game after game and singing and dancing. It's a major celebration of God's goodness to us throughout the year.

This year was, however, tainted with sadness, which Deborah addressed eloquently in her address. 'This is my favorite time of year. I love focusing on the birth of Jesus. But it's also a time to remember why Jesus came to the earth. He was born because of our suffering. This year we have lost one of our coworkers; Floribel's family has just lost everything they have in the floods in Albay and her father has just passed away; and Grace has just lost her grandmother. Jesus being born in Bethlehem means that he is always with us, when we're happy and when we're sad.'

All of our children in the baby home are with foster families for the holidays, so tonight begins a two-week break for our workers. Thank you to everyone who helped to load them up with gifts for the season. As they aren't working, it becomes all the more important to bless them with practical things that will make their Christmas joyous. We still hope to raise enough to give each worker a sack of rice when they come back to work in January and before they get their first salary of the new year ($25 x 26).