Christmas at Buckner
By Dr. Mark Denison - December 17th, 2018Buckner International is all about ministering to the people Jesus called “the least of these.” They bless those who have so little and need so much. As Christmas approaches, these are just two recent examples.
LaShonda Haynes
LaShonda Haynes came to God’s Garage, a nonprofit repair ministry that helps single mothers and veterans, to receive presents from a toy drive. She was thankful to be there.
About a year ago, she applied to receive a car from the organization but was told it would take two years. The organization relies on volunteers and donations to help individuals with transportation needs.
LaShonda, who is a Buckner Family Pathways resident, was extremely grateful God’s Garage would care to give her family presents this Christmas. Then she heard five unexpected words: “You’re getting a car today.”
The news almost knocked her over.
“Thank you!” she said. “You have been such a blessing!”
The vehicle will help LaShonda and her two children immensely. She is studying to become a nurse while in the Family Pathways program.
“It’s going to get me back and forth to school,” she said. “It’s going to get me to parent-teacher meetings for my sons.”
Heritage Farmstead Museum
Christmas joy was in full swing on Sunday as families in Buckner foster care, Buckner Family Pathways and Next Step in Dallas gathered to enjoy the season with food, games, crafts and more.
More than 250 people gathered at Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano, Texas, to celebrate Christmas. Children squealed in glee while petting live animals such as turkeys, donkeys and sheep. Families bonded while creating Christmas crafts, decorating cookies or making special Christmas cards to send to children in Buckner programs in Guatemala. There were also tractor rides, visits with Santa, snowball virtual reality games and a chance to dress up and act out the nativity scene.
"It was a special time for all the families in our foster care, Family Pathways and Next Step programs," said Candace Gray, executive director of Buckner in North Dallas. "It's so easy to get into the Christmas spirit as you watch children and families laughing and having so much fun together, and we're so thankful to our volunteers who helped create such a magical time for these families to remember always."