Hermana Veronica comforting Esteban

Greetings from Guatemala everyone!  There is much to tell you about but right now I want to save that for later and talk about something… something like Christmas.

Does it not seem strange that we in North America seem to get so caught up in the buying for Christmas that we seem to forget what it is all actually about?  The way we traditionally celebrate Christmas is not exactly what I think God had in mind for the birth of His son.  The running around, the stress, the depression.  Its all so crazy.  Here in Guatemala things are very different.  Sure, the more well off people shop and buy gifts for each other, but not to the extent we do in North America.  They don’t let gifts and buying become the principal driving force behind Christmas… for them it is God and family.  Stores and markets shut down so everyone can spend tons of time together.  They spend more time with family than shopping, at work or anywhere else.  Being with and enjoying family to celebrate the birth of our Saviour is the most important thing to them over Christmas… and every day, if I am totally honest.  It really is quite beautiful.

For some people of Guatemala like, the impoverished Mayans of the mountains,  the Hermana’s and the children at the Hospital Infantil Padre Pedro Nutrition Hospital it is the same.  But it is also a time of fear and of struggle just like every other day.  Fear of a child dying due to starvation… A struggle to afford food and medicines to keep the families, the Hermana’s and the children nourished and healthy!  There is no question of  which toy, what size of big screen tv, iPhone 5 or iPad mini, or of eating too much over the Christmas season, it is mere question of whether or not they will have a meal that day or that week.  Whether or not they will have enough food to survive at all.   Every day we watch this life and death struggle and pray for miracles.  Sometimes we get them… sometimes we get miracles different than what we hoped for. Sometimes our tears are of joy, and sometimes we weep in mourning…. but we remain hopeful!

If you are walking around, stressed and worried about what to do this Christmas Season…. or what to buy for that impossible person then I have a great gift idea for you.   Why not give the gift of life to a family.  There is no amount to large or small in order to make a difference and provide life giving nourishment to a hungry child.  You can give the gift in someone else’s name and they will be sent a card telling of the wonderful gift you gave in their name!  When you sit down to your Christmas dinner this season you can rest easy knowing that another family is enjoying life giving nourishment thanks to your gift.  Tis the season of giving… so help us give life!

Visit our website at www.thedoppenbergs.com and click “Donate Now”.  If this is a gift for someone else then once your donation is complete email us at:  info@thedoppenbergs.com with the name and address of the recipient and we will mail a card to them in time for Christmas!  Together we can fight the war against the needless affliction of malnutrition… and win….

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear ones

The old and the young

A very merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let’s hope it’s a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas

For weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones

The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas

For black and for white

For yellow and red ones

Let’s stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

War is over, over

If you want it

War is over

Now…

(John Lennon)

A Very Blessed and Happy Christmas to you all, from The Doppenberg Family,  The Hermana’s & The Children of the Hospital Infantil Padre Pedro in Guatemala xoxo.