Giving Books

My kumpare and his family had recently moved. I was visiting them for the first time in their new location. Their daughter, my godchild, was ten years old. I arrived at their house and shouted, “Tao po.”

Very quickly, the door opened. My godchild welcomed me, grabbed my hand, and led me to their sala. She had been waiting for me and did not even give me a chance to remove my shoes. We sat down and she announced, “Ninong, let’s read.”

On the table in front of us stood a pile of books. Looking through them, I realized they were the books I had given her over the years. I happily picked out one of my favorites, and we read it. Then she selected one, and we read it.

That girl is now a young woman. She excelled in elementary and high school. She is now studying to be a psychologist.

I have dozens of godchildren and grandchildren. Every Christmas, I give each of them a book. One year, I accidentally gave one of them the same book I had given her two years before. She pointed out my error. Since then, I have kept a spreadsheet of every book I have given each one.

Long-time staff member of OMF Lit know that, during the ‘ber months, I will arrive at their bookstore or their display at a book fair with a printed copy of the spreadsheet and a large, empty backpack. I will then buy a book for each godchild and grandchild.

I enjoy the task because OMF Lit makes it easy. They have books for every age group. I give my younger godchildren and grandchildren a book from the Hiyas titles—they love the stories and the fabulous illustrations. Those who have reached their teenage years, receive books such as those from the Wow, God series. A few years later, I give them titles such as Pass or Fail or Pinoy Big Values. Those who have married and now have children receive a book on parenting.

Hmm, Christmas is only a few months away. I will soon print my spreadsheet and head to the OMF Lit bookstore. I look forward to looking at the new titles and deciding which book to give each of my godchildren and grandchildren this year.

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Andy Smith was born in Kansas, in the United States, and grew up there. He went to college in Texas which was a long way from home. He has lived in six Philippine cities and towns and has visited many more. He enjoys finding out something special about each place.

He serves as a missionary for Overseas Missionary Fellowship. He has also written several books for OMF Literature including Majesty of Jesus and Meaningful Evangelism and several children’s books for Hiyas including Bible 123, Bible Animals and Bible Places