DOON CHRISTIAN STUDENTS, PROMISE STAFF BLESS FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS

 They generously collected gifts to bless a family going through a difficult situation – with the mother undergoing continued treatment for a brain tumor, the father working only limited hours as he cares for his wife and the medical bills accumulating.

The 16 students, along with teachers and parents, delivered the gifts to Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center and gave them to the family on Wednesday.

“It made our Christmas,” said Mary Leusink, who teaches grades K-2 at the school. “It was very, very special to do this. It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

After the students sang “Silent Night,” “Away in the Manager” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” the couple – with the assistance of an interpreter – expressed deep gratitude to the students for their gifts and shared their faith in God.

“Thank you for all the work you’ve done in the name of our God Jesus,” the father told the students, teachers and parents. “I don’t know how to thank you, but thank you for helping my family in this time of need. We can’t repay you for what you’ve done, but God will. And he will do it double.”

Doon Christian School has done a Christmas-giving project for many years. For the past two years, Leusink has gotten suggestions for families to bless from her daughter, Kari Ney, who is a registered nurse for the midwifery team at Promise.

“They are a very special family to us,” Ney told the students.

During the last week of November, gift items were written on cards and hung on the Christmas tree at the school for the kids to take: a toy for each child and a sweatshirt, pants, stocking hat and mittens/gloves for each member of the family.

The students’ parents, teachers and church members also donated gift cards, groceries and other items for the family.

“This was amazing. The students were very excited,” Leusink said. “They weren’t happy with taking just one tag. They wanted more than one.”

Promise staff and board members also got involved in the giving spirit by collecting monetary donations and delivering them to the family’s home on Christmas Eve.