JOSHUA TIME 674

TWO BABES IN A MANGERIn 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the RussianDepartment of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblicalprinciples) in the public schools. They were invited to teach atprisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a largeorphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, andleft in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. Theyrelate the following story in their own words:It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear,for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told themabout Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn,the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed ina manger.Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazementas they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to graspevery word. Completing the story, we gave the children three smallpieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a smallpaper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No coloredpaper was available in the city.Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laidstrips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from aworn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she leftRussia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut fromtan felt we had brought from the United States.The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them tosee if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one tablewhere little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and hadfinished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I wasstartled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I calledfor the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in themanger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completedmanger scene, the child began to repeat thestory very seriously.For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, herelated the happenings accurately...until he came to the part where Maryput the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He madeup his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the babyin the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay.I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any placeto stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him Icouldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody elsedid. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what Ihad that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept himwarm, that would be a good gift.So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?"And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best giftanybody ever gave me.""So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me Icould stay with him...for always."As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears thatsplashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, hishead dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed andsobbed.The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abusehim, someone who would stay with him...FOR ALWAYS.I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you havein your life that counts.-- Author Unknown<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>http://www.emailministry.orgHOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? Send a blank e-mail to:EMailMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.comor go to: http://www.emailministry.org/subscribe.aspMessages are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays.Subscribe now, it's FREE!SUPPORT E-MAIL MINISTRYE-Mail Ministry is solely supported by its subscribers. To make afinancial contribution, go to: http://www.emailministry.org/donate.aspE-Mail Ministry is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.HOW DO I SUBMIT A MESSAGE FOR E-MAIL MINISTRY? Send it toemailministry@emailministry.orgHOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE? If you are a subscriber, send a blank e-mail toEMailMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.comor go to: http://www.emailministry.org/unsubscribe.aspIf this message was forwarded to you from another person, please notifythem that you are not interested in receiving any further messages.To CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: UNSUBSCRIBE from the old e-mail addressand SUBSCRIBE from the new e-mail address or go to:http://www.emailministry.org/updateEmail.aspLEGAL STUFF: E-Mail Ministry and its sponsor run this message assubmitted and do not claim to own any copyright privileges on it. Thework was submitted to us as an item for distribution, and it was postedsolely on the basis of its quality. It is the belief of E-Mail Ministryand its sponsors that this message is in the common domain."E-Mail Ministry" is a trademark of E-Mail Ministry, Inc.