Darrel L. and Joanne B. Hammon
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| Some of the youngest |
Christmas
is meant to be shared. On Christmas Eve day, we went with a group of senior missionaries
to Hogar Mercedes de Jesus, an
orphanage. The curious thing about many of the orphanages in the DR is they do
not adopt out their children. Instead, they raise them. They stay at the
orphanage and go to school.
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| More young ones |
The oldest young woman at Hogar Mercedes de
Jesus is now going to college, studying to become a teacher. She is call “la voz” or “the voice.” She was the
spokesperson for the group of 23 children, ages three-years old to twenty-years
old, boys and girls.
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| "La Voz" (the Voice) |
The
theme at the orphanage is Sembrando Amor
y Esperanza (Sowing/Planting Love and Hope).
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| Hermana Button. Where was Elder Button? |
Sister
Bair, the Santo Domingo Temple Matron, had organized the trip. Previously, she
had contacted the nuns and made a list of the children with their ages and
sizes.
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| President and Hermana Bair (Temple President) |
Then, during Family Home Evening, we each chose a name or two or three, purchased
some items for the children, and then wrapped the gifts.
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| The middle group of young women--8-11 |
That
morning we drove out to the Hogar Mercedes
de Jesus and walked to the little pavilion where the children were waiting
for us. They came out to greet us. They were absolutely beautiful—beautiful
smiles, beautiful countenances, beautiful children of God. We fell in love
immediately.
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| Presidente y Hermana Casanova (Counselor in Temple Presidency) |
First,
the seniors climbed onto the stage and sang a few Christmas carols to the
children. After awhile, a few of us took our sheet music, climbed off the stage,
mingled with the children, and urged them to sing along with us.
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| Los Dunford |
Some were
anxious to sing along; others did not know the songs or were too shy. It was
wonderful just to listen to these angelic voices.
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| Los Larsen |
After
we finished singing, each couple called the child’s name they had selected to
receive their present.
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| Los Despain |
It seemed that each child cautiously stepped onto the
stage, taking the gift and then posing with the missionaries as we all snapped
pictures.
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| Los Hammon |
We enjoyed every minute of it.
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| Los Rees |
After the gifts were given, we then
handed out a bag of candy to each of them. Then, President Bair stood up and
said, “Now, we have a gift we want you to come up and take and then give it to
someone you will see today or tomorrow during Christmas.” That was exciting to
watch.
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| Los |
Once
we finished, then they all took the stage and sang several Christmas carols to
us. Again, their angelic voices wafted throughout the air and then just hung
while we soaked in the wonderful words. Their smiles lighted up the room and
touched our hearts. Yes, these are definitely children of a loving Heavenly
Father.
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| Children singing to us |
After
the children finished singing, Hermana Rosa (Sister Rose), one of the nuns, took
us on a little tour of Hogar Mercedes de
Jesus. She showed us the computer lab that the Church had donated through a
recent humanitarian project; the bedrooms where six young women shared a room
and one bathroom; a smaller room where the youngest children shared a room and
a bathroom; the library with its precious few books, which the children cannot
check out although they can read them there; and the garden where they grow bananas
and some vegetables.
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| Los Ferguson |
As
we walked through the rooms and the building, we all commented on the wonderful
spirit we felt there. Perhaps, it was the strategically placed signs on the
wall that stated “Paz” (Peace), “Alegría” (Happiness), “Amor” (Love), “Esperanza” (Hope), and “Disponibilidad”
(Availability or ready to help).
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| Hermana Mahon |
Soon,
it was time to go. As we drove away from Hogar Mercedes de Jesus, we breathed in the contentment we shared on the eve of Christ’s
birth with some of his most blessed children. Thanks to the Hermanas (the
Sisters) of Hogar Mercedes de Jesus! They are doing such an incredible job with these young people.
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| Las Hermanas |
