Shoes for our children at Grace Baptist Church Ethiopia

I take for granted my shoes.  My shoes fit properly and are comfortable.   When my kids want to play outside I have more than one pair of shoes to choose from. When Rob and I visited our Children's Hope Chest care-point in May, we saw the needs of the children in a personal way. Oh, how it’s different to see to the needs when you are looking directly into the eyes of a child.

We saw many children who were in need of new shoes. Here are just two pairs of shoes...

Over the last year we have had a fundraising event to purchase shoes for the children. Several sponsors donated to the shoe fund and Sami, a 12 year old girl, raised more than half of the funds needed!! I am delighted to announce we have enough funds to purchase 163 pair of shoes for the children at our Care-point- Grace Baptist Church! Children’s Hope Chest will wire the funds to Ethiopia next month. As soon as we receive pictures of the children receiving shoes I will share the photos with you! Imagine the children's delight when they receive a new pair of shoes.  Thank you to all who played a part- either by praying and/or contributing financially!!

Our next fundraising project - new school uniforms for the children.  Traci at Mommy's Money Saving Madness is spearheading this fundraising project.  Check out her blog for was you may help us reach the goal of $3,255 for new uniforms.

According to the pastor of Grace Baptist Church, there are many needs at our care point but sponsorship is currently the number one need.  If you or someone you know would be interested in sponsoring a child - we have several children who are available for sponsorship! Sponsorship is $34 per month, it provides resources for children to receive at least one meal a day, school supplies, basic medical care and an education! Sponsorship not only offers monthly support, but encouragement through prayer, letter writing, and relationship. E-mail me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com for more details.

Father's Day- a gift of giving

Father's Day is right around the corner.  If you are like me, I struggle to find the "right" gift for my dad.  This year we'll be blessing our dads with a gift from the heart, the gift of shoes.... no, not for them... the shoes are for a child in Ethiopia.
Grace Baptist, sponsored by Children's HopeChest, is a care-point for orphaned and impoverished children. Through the support of sponsors, Grace Baptist is able to provide food, clothing, education and Christian discipleship! However, the children have many other needs. One pressing need is shoes.

Tracy, a sponsor mom, and her brother are professionally printing and mailing out Father's Day cards to benefit the children at our care point, Grace Baptist, in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  The printing and postage is being donated!  Your monetary gift will be presented to Grace Baptist and will go to purchase new shoes for all the children. One pair of shoes costs $18.   

Go to Tracy's blog to send a card to your dad.

Kombolcha

We have returned from Kombolcha.  We had a great trip.
We were able to appreciate the breathtaking views as we crossed over the mountains.

When we arrived at the church  we were greeted by 300 children.  Hundreds of little hands extended to shake our hands.  "Hello.  What is your name?"  That's it, that's all the English they know.  They had been practicing in anticipation of arrival!  So, after hundreds of handshakes and saying, "My name is Candy," we were able to pass out jump ropes and the soccer balls.  the children were so excited!!

The next day we handed out care packages!  I have pictures of each child receiving their care package.  They were so excited to receive cards and pictures.  They loved the stickers.  They also loved putting them all over their faces.   When we return I will send you photos of your sponsor child.