Originally posted November 28, 2014
The beaches of Amapala could not be more different than the streets of downtown Tegucigalpa, and that’s just how we like it. For one weekend every year, we trade in the sounds of car horns and yelling street vendors for those of gently crashing waves and easy laughter. Our teens leave the daily pull of drugs behind and the biggest struggle they are left with is whether to choose fish, chicken or shrimp for their lunch option. Things become simpler. And with all of the other distractions stripped away, we are able to rediscover why we love and fight for one another in the first place.
Beach Christmas 2014 is just around the corner! And we would love for you and your family to be a part of it. This year, just like the past three years, we will pack up our BC family and make the 2.5 hour drive and hour-long boat ride to the island of Amapala to share laughs, hugs and a few presents with one another.
Upon arrival, some of our teens will jump out of the boat before we even reach shore because they are anxious to enjoy the water and time spent away from the city. From there, we will spend the afternoon playing soccer on the beach, watching the kids run into the water, collecting seashells or just sitting in a chair and taking in God’s beautiful family and creation.
Around lunch time we’ll all gather under the shade of our favorite beach shack/restaurant where a loving family we have come to know over the years will serve us a delicious meal they have prepared. It’s a wonderful way for us to bless their family with a little extra holiday income for all of the ways they bless us with their kindness and friendship.
Following some more time playing in the waves, we’ll all gather at sunset in a big circle to share in a time of opening presents with one another. Our sponsors from the states generously make these gifts possible. We love watching as the individuals’ names are called and they come to the center to open a gift as the rest of our family looks on with smiles and cheers. Through the sponsorship, each individual receives one full outfit (including shoes) and one additional gift of their choosing (headphones, earrings, backpacks, an additional pair of shoes, etc.).
Following the gift giving, we will end the night by roasting hot dogs, pulling our mattresses together on the floor of an outdoor pavilion and listening to the waves as we fall asleep.The next day we will rise, eat breakfast and lunch and squeeze in as much time on the beach as possible before the boat arrives to take us back to shore and our journey back to the city begins.
Beach Christmas has become an adored tradition and something that our staff and residents alike look forward to all year long. Starting around June, our kids and teens were already asking if we would be going back again this year. We love it because it’s the beach – and, hey, beaches are fun. But we love it even more for what it stirs in our family – feelings of love and laughter, of gratitude for the year we’ve been given, and of healing and renewed hope moving forward.
We would love for your family to be a part of this experience this year, and we need your help to make it possible. Each member of our BC family will need a sponsorship of $125 to cover the individual’s food, transportation and presents for the weekend. Additional gifts of any amount may be given to help with incidentals for the weekend or blessings for other families we would like to help during the holiday season.
If you are interested in contributing, please visit the Beach Christmas 2014 page to learn more. We will be posting the profiles of each individual available for sponsorship over the coming days!