Turkey

The Tree of Life Children's Ministry held their annual Children's Christmas Festival on the coldest day of 2009 and even though snow was forecast, approximately 90 children, and as many as 60 adults -mothers, fathers, grandparents and friends- attended. The hall was full to overflowing. Attending for the first time were 16 poor children from a nearby neighbourhood who were part of a group that had been gathering together through the ministry of two foreign women, who had been teaching them about the love of the Lord Jesus. 

Special care was given to include the children in the program. The worship team included children playing the piano, the violin and the drums and the program was led by Linda from the board and some children. Using children in the program made the other children more attentive. After worship the children were asked questions about Christmas like: Where was Jesus born? (One of the children from those 16 made everyone laugh by saying, "in the hospital") The children all eagerly raised their hands to answer. Some of the children were hearing about the birth of Christ for the first time.

Two children used flannel graphs to tell the story of the birth of Jesus and this was followed by a short talk about Christmas given by Cevdet from the Tree of Life board. The children's choir sang a few Christmas carols and a visiting group from YWAM presented a pantomime.

The children received umbrellas as gifts and were served Christmas cookies, juice and sandwiches at the conclusion of the program.