Give the best present to children in need this holiday season!!

Have you ever asked a child what they wanted for Christmas?  Undoubtedly that child's face expressed great excitement as they told you.  Perhaps you too remember something you wished for with all your heart as a child?

This special season, many children are already wishing for the latest exciting shiny toy or game.  However, many are wishing for something far more significant – peace in their family, love, food, a safe place to go to have fun and get guidance.  Throughout Latin America, far too many children are wishing and praying for this type of present.

We'd like to invite you to give one or more children the Christmas present of Icthus that will help them through the difficulties of life and teach them to rely on the Lord's love. 

Here's an example of two boys that Icthus Amigos like you are helping:

Jonathan (9) and Oscar (17) are from Chiquimula, Guatemala.  Their father has abandoned them.  Their mom, Brenda, works cleaning houses.  The money she makes is not enough to live on.  So, the boys work long hours in the streets.  Jonathan sells candy, and Oscar washes cars. 

Brenda says that despite not having a father, Jesus is shaping Jonathan and Oscar's character through Icthus.   Brenda was in Icthus 30 years ago and loved it so much.  Thanks to Icthus Amigos like you, her children are in Icthus today.

There are a lot of gangs looking to recruit children in Chiquimula.  Kids like Jonathan and Oscar, who work on the streets and lack a father figure, are easy targets.  Gang members treat them like family but influence them to engage in criminal activities.

The impact of Icthus Amigos, like you, is evident in the lives of Jonathan and Oscar!  Jonathan shares the gospel with anyone who buys his candy.  And Oscar is known as the best car-washer in town because he won't steal or cheat his customers.

In Icthus, these two boys have a family who cares for them.  They are being helped by their guides to develop Christian character.  Regardless of their dire situation, this family lives for God.  They help others joyfully.  And they know their worth in Christ.

Your gift will help children throughout Latin America like Jonathan and Oscar.  They will learn to love God and to love their neighbors as themselves.  They will have weekly meetings, activities like hikes and sports, be involved in doing service projects, and develop skills and positive habits.

We all know that children have a much deeper needs than any shiny toy could ever provide.  Presents that endure are love, care, and guidance.  

To provide one year of Icthus Ministry to a child is just $18.  Now your gift will be doubled to help two for a year.  Your donation of $54 to help 3 children will be matched to help 6 for one year.  A gift of $90 will be matched to help 10 kids – that's half an Icthus group – for a whole year.   How many can you help?

Please give generously to help reach the match of $15,000.  Meeting this match will mean that a multitude of kids will have a ministry for a new year  more than 1,600 child

Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

   Don Weisbrod - Cofounder and International Director 

   and

   Luis Yon – Associate International Director