Christmas Countdown: Reason for the Season
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Friday, December 9th, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
With the hustle and bustle of searching for the perfect presents, hanging Christmas lights and traveling out of town, it can be easy to go through this season without stopping to consider the reason we’re celebrating.
The Heckmans at their new island home. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sara Heckman.
For former Falls Church residents Craig and Sarah Heckman, they’re not letting anything sidetrack them from spreading the true meaning of Christmas, and the good news of Jesus.
After applying to and getting accepted as World Teach volunteers on the small island of Kosrae, they packed up their suitcases, sold what they could and said their goodbyes as they began their new adventure as teachers/missionaries in Micronesia.
Where in the world is Micronesia? Here it is. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Over the past six months, they’ve had plenty of opportunities to share the message of God’s love with the students and families on the island through personal relationships, school activities and, most recently, an after-school Bible study called T.G.I.F. Club.
Sarah and her students at Kosrae High School. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Through their “Step of Faith” blog, the Heckmans have chronicled their journey from Virginia across the world. “Living in a place of such busyness, it is easy to lose perspective on what really matters in life,” says Sarah, just a few weeks before leaving Virginia. “God has given us the opportunity to take a step of faith by moving to Micronesia, and we are DOING IT!”
This December, the Heckmans are taking on yet another opportunity to live out their faith with The Grace Project. “We are hoping to give a little piece of grace to 240 students at Kosrae High School,” says the Heckmans. “The central idea of the “talks” [at T.G.I.F.] is grace. We are introducing them to the man of Jesus and explaining to them who he is, why he is vital in life and how he can offer a life of security and fulfillment.”
Through The Grace Project, the Heckmans hope to portray the idea of grace by collecting care packages from friends and family in the United States and passing them out to the high schoolers. “Once we receive your care package we are going to add a Bible to it and give it to the students at Kosrae High School,” says Sarah Heckman in a short video here. “The package will symbolize grace because it is a free gift … and all we hope the student will do is accept the gift and begin a relationship with the person giving the gift.”
Craig sharing a Bible lesson with the islanders. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Already, 60 packages filled with various small toys and goodies have been sent to Kosrae. “God has proven yet again that He WILL provide,” says Craig Heckman. “Hold on to your boot straps, folks, God is up to something awesome!”
Interested in becoming part of The Grace Project? Check out the Heckmans’ video blog post, plus here’s a list of what to include in each package:
- Multiple fun gifts
- 3 notes of encouragement*
- 3 pictures of yourself/family/small group*
- 3 note cards with contact info*
- 3 notes of encouragement*
- 3 pictures of yourself/family/small group*
- 3 note cards with contact info*
- Home address, church address, e-mail address, or facebook account
*Each package will be split and divided to share with 3 students.
The students pose for a picture. / Photo courtesy of: Craig and Sarah Heckman.
Below, the Heckmans provide a list with ideas of what to fill the box with:
- Bath and Body Works – Yes, you are allowed to ship lotion, spray and body wash.
- Nail Polish
- Hair Accessories
- Purses
- Jewelry (Yes, they – girls and boys – have pierced ears.)
- DVDs
- CDs
- School supplies
- Books
- Gently used clothes (Remember, it’s hot and humid all the time.)
- Snacks (They love American food. Please make sure its something that won’t spoil.)
- Cologne/Axe spray (The guys like to smell fresh too, but, please, no glass bottles.)
- Word Search/Sudoku books
- Journals
- Razors (for girls and boys)
- Shampoo/Conditioner (the fun smelling stuff!)
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Manicure/Pedicures supplies
Please mail the packages [flat-rate shipping] to:
Craig and Sarah Heckman
P.O. Box 263
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
*Please have package shipped by December 15, 2011*
Craig and Sarah Heckman
P.O. Box 263
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
*Please have package shipped by December 15, 2011*
For more Christmas-themed posts, check our blog next week for where Santa and his elves will be hanging out in NoVa.
–Lorin Drinkard
Tags: christmas, Christmas Countdown, Christmas events, Craig and Sarah Heckman, culture gurus, Falls Church, Kosrae, Lorin Drinkard, Micronesia, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, nova mag, Reason for the Seaon, The Game Plan, The Grace Project, things to do