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and memories that would last a lifetime. After the celebration, the ladies came and thanked us with hugs and tears in their eyes for a wonderful day, says Hylien. They said that this day will be remembered forever. The gift did not end with the party. A few days later, the Van Rensburg walked from house to house, delivering bags of food and goodies for families to enjoy during the Christmas holidays. movements as three of the older children provided narration.

DEC. 23, 2008

Shoes

On the day of the Christmas celebration, the Van Rensburgs went to the mail box and found a slip for a parcel. The package was from the First Baptist Church in Scotland Neck. Inside were handmade dolls, made by the MooreGoode ladys circle and stuffed by the children in the Girls in Action group. Every girl from age 2-10 This young lady shows off her new doll and her newwas given her own doll. clothes. It is the first dolls that the girls have ever owned. Most of the village turned with traditional Leratong The dolls are treasured out to watch the children decorations. gifts to the girls in the vilopen the presents. They hung their blankets lage. Materials presents were and brought display brooms To keep the dolls from getjust a small part of the speand hats weaved from grass ting dirty, the girls are putcial day. and colorfully decorated. ting the dolls in plastic bags, Because of the generosity In Leratong, a persons say the Van Resenburgs. of those who responded to blanket is a treasured posThe package had been Project Christmas Shoes the session. The softer and more sent over two months ago entire village of Leratong colorful it is, the more it and only just arrived at the enjoyed a special Christmas. shows wealth. Care Center. The celebration brought The lined up outside For the girls, the package around 350 of the villages 400 enjoying biscuits and cold came right on time. residents. drinks while waiting as the For weeks the children worked to make traditional Christmas decorations, much like any child would here in the United States, to decorate the Care Center. The donation from Susans Kids allowed a tree to be purchased for the Care Center. Ladies from the village decorated part of the hall stew simmered. Everyone was treated to a celebration, which included a meal and entertainment. The feast was made up of three kinds of salads, rice, beef stew and desserts. The young girls and teenagers performed traditional dances for the crowd. The villagers returned to their homes with a full belly

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The true meaning of Christmas

Out & About

Out and About is a listing of current events sponsored by non-profit groups in Martin County. Please send listings to The Enterprise at P.O. Box 387, Williamston, NC, 27892, bring them by the office on Main Street, or fax them to 792-1921 or e-mail them to enterprise@ nccox.com.

Until Monday, Jan. 5

JHS CHEER CAMP: The JHS Cheerleaders will host a one-day cheer camp for girls and boys in grades 3-8 Saturday, Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. until, after the Ocracoke game that afternoon. Cost is $20 and includes a T-shirt, food and admission to the game. To pre-register by Jan. 5 or for more information, call 792-4428 or 217-9052.

Friday, Dec. 26

KWANZAA: The W.C. Chance-East End Cultural Center will host its annual Kwanzaa celebration at the center located on 304 Cochran St. in Robersonville. The event will start at 5 p.m. For more information call Sandra McCleary at (252) 795-4848. WINTER AFFAIR: Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center will be the place to be from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. during this after Christmas party given by Another Positive Production. Admission fee is $10. For more information call (877) 205-8656.

As excited as the children were to receive gifts, the presents were not the star of the show. During the celebration, the villagers gave honor to Jesus. The children performed songs, poems and a play in celebration of Christmas. Hylien and the kids have been practicing on Sundays since October, says Wim Van Rensburg. The people on the mountain teach their children from a very young age about God. Then all of the kids on the mountain (and some from down in the city) come to Sunday School every Sunday, says Wim Van Rensburg. Hylien has up to 70 kids in her class each week. The highlight of the day was the Nativity play. Children did choreographed

Christmas 2003 was a heartwrenching time for Debbie and Bruce Roberson of Jamesville. Their daughter Susan Roberson Thompson lied in a hospital bed in Chapel Hill, fighting for her life. On Jan. 7, 2004, Susan died at age 23-year-old from complications from a rare genetic The women pose with the food for the feast. disease. A Jamesville since that Christmas we istry to make a difference, native, many in the county spent at Chapel Hill. God says Gurganus. knew Susan had a heart for is so good and so gracious Roberson points to the working with children. to us. verse Ephesians 3:20 which It was more than a year This Christmas He has she keeps on her refrigeraafter their daughters death allowed us to see Romans tor. that the Robersons first 8:28 first hand in the faces In this verse we read heard the story of the Care of Susans Kidsthe chilabout God being able to do Center and the children of dren of Leratong Village, exceeding abundantly above QwaQwa. QwaQwa, South Africa. all that we ask or think, A fellow church member, If Susan could speak to says Roberson. Through Marvin Gurganus, shared me I believe she would say, the generosity of His people, the plight of the people of Mom, it was all worth it. God went beyond blessing QwaQwa after meeting Wim Remember Romans 8:28. the children . . . and instead Van Rensburg on an online He abundantly blessed the Christian bikers group. entire village of Leratong, Ke a leboha-thank-you The Robersons were South Africa. We are so The Care Center promoved by the situation and thankful for the donations vides spiritual and physical felt led to donate the money we received and we know nourishment to the people that they received in Susans of Leratong and QwaQwa that God will bless each memory to the Van Rensperson for their obedience year-round. burgs ministry. in giving. Susans Kids gives Soon after, Gurganus It truly has been a monthly gifts to support the started Susans Kids in miraculous thing, says Care Center in its efforts. memory of Susan and her Roberson. This project brought a love for children. When people are obedimuch needed sense of Joy Debbie Roberson reent God is going to follow to a group of children who, members a Bible verse that to some seem hopeless while through in a big, big way I the family clung to during know this is not the end. filling the need for clothing Susans illness. The villagers send a big and food, says Gurganus. And we know that all ke a leboha or thank-you Projects like Christmas things work together for to everyone involved in shoes are what I believe can good to them that love God. making the celebration a change an entire nation in Those words from memorable day and unfortime. We know the Lord Romans 8:28 became very gettable day. can raise up these children important to us during The children were to touch generations and Susans illness and we looked we are just thankful to be a blessed and did not expect forward to the awesome testo receive such wonderful small part of it. timony that she would have Project Christmas Shoes things, says Hylien. God when she got well. bless and thank you for was another confirmation Unfortunately, she got that the Lord is blessing and helping us make a differworse instead of better. ence! using the Susans Kids minOur family spent Christmas 2003 in the hospital at Chapel Hill. We didnt care about presents or lights or parties. We just wanted Susan to be well. Then when she passed away, we wondered how in the world anything good could possibly come out of the suffering that she endured. Five years have passed

Susans gift

Thursday, Jan. 1

JUBILEE DAY: The Martin County Branch of the NAACP will host its annual Jubilee Day at noon at Williams Chapel AME Zion Church, located on 119 Rhodes Street, Williamston. The theme for this years celebration is Health-Education-Economics-Desire. Food will be provided. To find out more information call Marion Davis at (252) 792-3987.

Clarks Downtown Flowers

All Christmas Merchandise
& Gifts

Wednesday, Jan. 7

BANK BAILOUT: Martin County Chamber of Commerce will offer a Community Unity Lunch on Bank Bailout and the economic business impact from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the N.C. Telecenter. This event is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. For more information or to RSVP call (252) 792-4131.

Saturday, Jan. 3

SAVE THE DATE: The Church of the Advent will have its 12th Night Party from 6-9 p.m. at Haughton Hall. Proceeds go to Options. To RSVP, call Lucia Peel at 792-0070.

1/2 Price
to all of our valued customers!

Monday, Jan. 5-Monday, Feb. 9

BALLROOM DANCE: Couples and Singles interested in learning the classic Ballroom Dance can join a class being held at Martin County Arts Council Center (Flat Iron Building) located downtown Williamston. Classes will be from 7-8:30 p.m. with Instructor John Gurkin. Cost per person is $25. For more information and to register for the class call Marie at (252) 792-5477, Chris at (252) 792-3358 or Flonnie at (252) 792-5210.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Friday, Jan 9

DISCOUNT FOOD DISTRIBUTION: The Williamston Church of Christ with Angel Food Ministries will be taking food orders, from 7-8:30 p.m. and again on Sat. morning, Jan. 10 from 10-11:30 a.m. Distribution will be on Sat., Jan. 17 from 10 a.m.-noon. You will get $65-$70 of food for only $30. There are also many specials from $18-$35. For more information and directions to the church, call Nona Maysey at 252-795-5473, or visit our website at www.wcc-servantministy.org to download the menu. This is NOT welfare and there are no income guidelines.

Closing Christmas Eve at 2 pm Re-open Monday, Dec. 29th! 112 E. Main Street Williamston

(252) 792-1416