Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Do Something Together

I think one of the best ways to help our families to understand missions is to actually do something together. I'm always looking for ways my children can help me serve others. Recently I've come to know a remarkable young lady, Isabel Jones, founder of Shoes for Kids.

Both of Isabel's parents work for Compassion. A couple years ago, their entire family took a trip to Kenya to see Compassion's work up close and personal. Isabel was particularly moved as she noticed how happy the children were - even though they had nothing - even though they were barefoot.

When she came back to the US, she was inspired to begin collecting shoes for children who have never had any. Isabel turns 12 this Saturday - April 2nd. She has declared her birthday International Make a Happy Foot Day and is encouraging everyone to go a day without shoes.

Isn't this a wonderful opportunity for us to understand poverty just a little bit more? It's also a wonderful opportunity to talk to our kids about making a difference now. You do not have to be an adult to make an impact on the world.

Please read all about Isabel and her endeavor on her website Shoes for Kids. There is a great (short) movie where Isabel talks about her heart for this ministry. You can also read a couple posts her mom wrote HERE and HERE.


I'm encouraging you to try this as a family...and then go shopping for shoes for children living in poverty. Most of the shoes Isabel collects end up going to children in countries where Compassion works. When her parents travel with Compassion, they take shoes with them and make happy feet.

My own daughters and I have enjoyed picking out shoes for other kids. As we shop, we talk about how happy the kids will be to have shoes that protect their feet. It's so much fun to shop for other people, and to imagine what the shoes will be used for. Will little girls dance in the shoes? Will little boys play soccer? Will a teenager go to her first job interview? Will a high school student wear them to graduate?

Don't forget to shop in your own closets, too. Maybe you have a couple extra pairs that are gently worn and would love to be worn regularly by another child.

6 comments:

  1. Dollar General has shoes right now for 2 dollars- all kinds kids and adults. Just found your blog and am enjoying it!

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  2. This is great to know - I will have to check it out. Thanks!

    Glad you are enjoying the blog. Do you sponsor a child? If so, where?

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  3. We sponsor Timothee in Burkina Faso and Ian in the Philippines. We also have correspondence kids in the Philippines and Indonesia. Where are your kids from? How long have you been sponsoring?

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  4. We are actually blessed to be able to sponsor quite a few kids. I first became a sponsor 18 years ago when I was in college.

    Our sponsored children now include:
    Yoselin - Dominican Republic
    Hondy - Dominican Republic
    Josseling - Nicaragua
    Lian - Colombia
    Luis - El Salvador
    Emanuel - Peru
    Joseph - Tanzania
    Portia - Ghana
    Dominic - Kenya
    Bulu - India
    Ayon - India
    Preeti - India
    Orm - Thailand
    Jerry - Indonesia

    we also correspond with:
    Jazmin - Peru
    David (LDP) - Peru
    Rubi - India
    Suresh - India

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  5. Steph - I did my math wrong - it's been 16 years since I began sponsoring.

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  6. WOW!! That is quite the Compassion Family and many years to form it. Very cool. We have had Timothee since Oct. 2007 and started sponsoring Ian this last Oct. We have added our correspondents since Christmas. I think I have really become a Compassion addict. I bet you recieve letters pretty often with some many kids.

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