Fireworks, a huge bon fire, testimonies, songs, dancing and yummy snacks-that's how we brought in the New Year here at BGCH. The best part of all is that we got to celebrate with dear friends who live half-a-world away! We were so happy to have some sponsors come and visit us for about a week at the beginning of this year.

One cannot begin to express how thankful we are for the sponsors who faithfully give to BGCH. So many people give by faith alone, never having seen these precious children with their own eyes. Sponsors allow these dear children to grow up in a place where they are taken care of physically with food and clothing and a safe place to sleep at night. They are given a good education and a way out of a life where so many people earn less than two dollars a day. Most importantly they are taught of the Only One who can give eternal life.

Here at BGCH we pray for our sponsors every day. We talk about them and wonder what their lives are like. So, when the opportunity comes for us to actually meet some of our sponsors we are so excited!

In a normal year, BGCHM takes two groups of sponsors over to BGCH India. We would love to have you be a part of one of those trips! We would love to meet you and would love for you to meet the boy or girl that you sponsor. We would love for you to hold that hand in yours. We would love for you to look deep into those eyes that you've only seen in pictures.

Check out the latest pictures in our photo gallery. And be sure to check back next month for some new ones!

It's hard to believe that the Christmas season has come and gone so quickly. Christmas is always the most exciting time of year here at BGCH. There is much anticipation leading up to the day, and much celebration for many days.
The Saturday before Christmas, the gifs were distributed, so that the children could wear their new clothes on Christmas day. Along with new dresses, the girls are got new jewelry, earrings necklaces and bracelets. The boys were given new shirts and pants, belts and electronic games. Everyone got chocolate and candies and a few other things.

The kids started practicing for different Christmas programs back in November. During the week of Christmas there were a couple of different programs. The girls' and boys' hostels' each take a night to perform and the primary school has a program as well. The programs usually last a few hours as the boys and girls perform skits, dances and sing songs. By the time the program comes to an end, sometimes as late as ten o'clock, there are always a few little ones who've fallen asleep.

On Christmas Eve some of the men on staff and a few of our older boys went around town caroling. They started at about 9:30 and were out past twelve. They sing Christmas songs and play their instruments and pray for the homes that they visit.
On Christmas Eve most children don't get more than a few hours sleep. Many are up long before the 5:30 morning bell rings. The girls looked so beautiful in their new dresses and jewelry. The boys were so handsome too. All the children had a special breakfast that morning-berfi, chuda and chai tea. The children and staff left at about 9:30 to go to church, some walking and others pilled into our van.

The church was filled on Christmas morning, many people from town came to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Risen Lord. The children sang songs and shared passages of Scripture that they memorized. The girls did a few dances too. It was such a wonderful celebration.
After church some children had a chance to visit with family members who had come. A few old students of BGCH came back to visit too. Everyone had a great afternoon, relaxing and enjoying each others company.
We are so thankful to serve a Living God, so thankful for His Son and the life that we have through Him!

Thanks to the generosity of Calvary Bible Church in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, our children are now the proud owners of brand new sweaters. On November 15, the children of India were celebrated on a holiday called Children's Day. To celebrate, we had a party where each child was given a new sweater for the cold, 65 degree, winter mornings. We were able to purchase the sweaters as a result of the love gift that had been sent by Calvary Bible Church. Also that day, a group of local leaders and judges visited our Home and presented each child with a banana and a pack of cookies and candies. The children enjoyed all of their gifts and are anxiously now looking forward to Christmas!

Sandesh and Pravin enjoying their new gifts.

Many have asked and have patiently waited and we are so thankful to finally be able to say it is here. Automatic Bank Drafting is now an option for those donors who don't like to have to worry about check writing or dropping their donation in the mail. Forget the headache of trying to remember when you last gave, or IF you did. Now, with automatic bank draft, we will take care of the thinking for you! Simply provide us with a voided check from either your checking or savings account, choose a payment date (either the first or the 15th of each month), and determine the amount you would like debited monthly. We will take care of the rest for you. How easy is that? Please remember to send any correspondence to the following address and we will have you set up in no time:

Boys and Girls Christian Home Ministries
PO Box 612
Russellville, AR 72811