This fall 100 members of the GEMS girls’ club at Rosewood Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower, Calif., worked on an extra-special project. They created and mailed packages to 20 U.S. military personnel who are part of the church’s extended family.
The soldiers, who serve in various parts of the world, received socks, snacks, a deck of cards, and other reminders of home. Each group of girls sent along a letter from the club, a picture of the group, and a handmade Christmas card signed by each of them.
Bonny Mulder Behnia, children’s ministry leader at Rosewood, said this is the second year the girls have used this way “to be a light to the world at Christmas.”
Amanda Verhoeven, team leader for the church’s GEMS ministry, noted that several soldiers sent letters of appreciation, and the girls decided that each group will keep up the connection at other special holidays throughout the year, “becoming the hands of Jesus reaching out to touch them.”
