The 12 Days of Christmas Challenge!

Marco and Amelia Lodewyk
Nov 5, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Aug 9, 2023

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me..."

Kindergarten Amelia sang: "A part of a gin-a-pear tree..." I later went home and asked my dad, "what is a gin-a-pear tree?" He was really confused, and then we figured out I had the words wrong... it's actually "a Partridge in a pear tree." (A partridge being a type of bird). Go figure! Since a young age, I've been very passionate about helping people in other countries that have insufficient resources, and finding ways to make a real difference. When I was a kid, I would go with my mom to church and help pack "Operation Christmas Child" boxes every year that would be shipped all over the world to girls and boys who lived in places where there isn't access to basic necessities. When I shared this memory with Marco, he said when he was a child he was a receiver of those shoebox gifts at his school! He remembers feeling seen, and treasuring this packed box that was made just for him by someone in America. Growing up, Marco's family didn't always have the capacity to give one another gifts during the holidays. We want to bring that same joy, compassionate love, and peace that Marco experienced as a kid to children and families this Holiday season. Reflecting back, last year's Christmas season was excruciatingly painful for us as a family. This year we'd love to spread some Christmas cheer. We need your help to make these dreams come true and bless over 120 South African families and children this Christmas. One of the families we will be impacting includes a widowed grandmother living with her two granddaughters. The grandmother's sister passed away this year, and is now looking after her niece as well. We would love to bless them as a family in this time of grief, and show care and love for them.

Additionally, in collaboration with our dear friend Andy, and in memory of her late husband Keith. We'd like to come alongside her initiative to impact the lives of children ages 5-11 in the local community that was close to Keith's heart. "The Macky Box of Cheer" is a shoebox filled with children's items to bring cheer over the festive season. We are honored to continue this legacy of impact and joy that Keith lived by. The boxes will contain clothing, a toy, a colouring book or game, candy, crackers, and a juice box. We are also praying that this Christmas we are able to help Marco's two nephews! Amelia has only met them over the phone, and Marco's sons and Mother last saw them in 2018. It would be a really special surprise for the family to have them visit, and our heart is to give their single mother a couple of weeks to breathe as she's experiencing health challenges and work stress. Both nephews have worked extremely hard in school this past year, and are giving their best efforts in their work, and in turn are getting good school reports back! We want to be able to bless them and a few more students we know with some fresh school supplies for the next school year which starts in January. *The above information has been consented for us to share with you!

The smell of Christmas goodies is one of my favorite things about the Holidays. As I (Amelia) have always loved baking. When I was a teenager, I would bake Christmas cookies with my best friend from early hours of the morning until after midnight. We'd create sugary plates of Christmas treats for all of our neighbors. I would love to do the same and make cookie boxes for neighbors and friends here in South Africa for the Holiday season! We have made a comprehensive Christmas list of our dreams! Are you able to help us give to those in need of cheering up this year?

Our 12 Days of Christmas Challenge will go like this:

We will be using Love Your Neighbor Care Vouchers for groceries for those reintegrating into society upon release from prison. The grocery vouchers plus Bibles will be included in the Restart Packs we'll be distributing through Hillsong Prison Ministry and Hillsong Africa Foundation.

For families in need, we'd love to bless them with food hampers, milk, cookies, flowers, free photo sessions (we just need your help with prints), as well as a Christmas tree with some fun decorations!

The total cost to achieve these Holiday dreams is $2,558 / R41,000 Or 50 individuals to donate of $50 / R800 or more! Any contribution amount is warmly welcomed! We hope you have a really blessed Holiday season! Click on the buttons below for donation information.