Atlanta Union Mission

My friend Jenna Teachey planned a Christmas party for our kids and the kids at the Atlanta Union Mission. "Atlanta Union Mission is a Christian ministry that brings Christ's healing power to any person in crisis through programs of rescue and recovery. The Mission serves as many as 1,070 men, women and children every day of the year with emergency shelter, residential recovery and transitional housing." While the mothers and fathers are out searching for jobs, the kids are in day care from 7:00am-7:00pm everyday. What a long day to be away from your parents. So we decided to come visit them and through a Christmas party! We brought snacks for the kids to eat and presents for them to open on Christmas day. We were able to love on these kids as Christ loves us. This was such a blessing for us all!

We fit a lot of kids around this table!

This little boy wanted me to take his picture. Sooo cute!

Mary Taylor was a little jealous of all these kids in my lap!

The Pettit girls enjoying their snack with these kids.

Elisabeth was comforting Elie, because her mother left the room.

James was just enjoying his food and watching the Christmas movie.

We brought apples, cheese, crackers, and apple juice for the kids to eat instead of sweets.

They were heading to lunch after this party, so we did not want to spoil their meal.

Storytime was a little crazy, but I think the children really enjoyed the
Christmas book about baby Jesus.       

This little boy was so sad. I think his name was, Ashon (14 months) and he would not let me put him down. Mary Taylor inisisted that I hold her too! Henry was a little clingy, which is not normal.

This sweet little boy was patting Henry on the head.

These are all the presents we donated to the mission. We don't give because we want to feel good about ourselfs, we give because Christ first gave to us. His love compells us to love others.

I had the best time loving on these kids! I think we will try to do this regularly throughout the year. It benefits the Atlanta Union Mission kids as well as my on children, not to mention me too. It is hard to believe, I have lived ten minutes away from this ministry for two years and never knew about it. I pray that God will open up my eyes to the hurting people around me. It was hard leaving these kids after spending an hour with them. Ashon was so sad when I had to put him down. Wow! This must be a glimse of what it is like to visit the orphanages in Africa. God, prepare my heart now!