This year our
family saved our change and piggy bank money to pick out a few items to donate
to people in need. Last year we all put our money together and went through
World Vision and gifted a family in a third world country a goat. This year a Samaritan’s
Purse catalog arrived at our door before Thanksgiving and the kids were hooked
and wanted to get one of everything in the catalog. So we decided to go through
them. Our mission is to instill in our children’s
heart’s a love to give and help support those in need. Now we are not rich and
probably never will be and yes we do barely scrape by to make ends meet. But we
still make it a point to give were we can. Showing the kids that the Lord
provides for us and we need to also give back. We explain to our kids there are
people who have nothing that need food and everyday items. Kids who live on the streets or in orphanages.
Their hearts go out to these kids and they want to help in every way they can. I
hope one day they will be able to do a missions trip and actually see how
people live in other third world countries, instead of us just explaining it to
them. Their hearts are so loving I know
they would be deeply moved to help. So
what we did was have everyone save what they could. My mother and oldest
brother saved as well to join in on the project. Then at Thanksgiving we sat
down and counted each child’s piggy bank and gave them the choice of how much
they wanted to give. Gabe went first giving all but a dollar or two. We all
clapped and made a big deal about how he was blessing a family and how
wonderful it was that he donated what he felt he was being lead to. Then came
Genesis, she and Dad counted all her money separated it out pennies in one pile
silver in another. We asked what she would like to give. Without skipping a
beat she pushed all her pennies to dad and a few dollars and kept the silver. In
my mind I was thinking what is going though that little mind of hers? Why the
pennies? Then it clicked! She gave what meant the most to her, she gave them
all of her Gold! In her mind (4 yr. old) the pennies are gold, the money that
had the most value. She wanted them to have her treasure. She thought the
silver would have less value so she kept them and gave the rest. My heart
melted, I could have cried. I was so
proud of her. We all clapped and cheered praising her thoughtful gift. We ended up raising $70! The kids where so
excited. So we sat down with the catalog. They each picked two gifts, and then
we picked one as a family. We were able to get as well as their descriptions …
Gabe picked out:
Sports Gear to supply recreational items and turn
schoolyards into mission fields where girls and boys learn how to gain real
victory in Jesus.
Bibles and Christian Literature providing 5 New Testaments, three bibles, or other
gospel materials to people in impoverished communities, refugee camps, disaster
sites and hospitals. Or as he says to help them learn about Jesus.
Sissy picked out:
A Dozen Baby Chicks to provide an ongoing source of
nutrition and a supplemental income.
“Jesus loves me” Lambs to provide a child with an endearing
reminder of the Lamb of God. A little stuffed lamb that plays the melody “Jesus
loves me”.
Gideon picked out:
“Jesus loves me lambs”
As well as Milk, providing nutrition for a week, so that a
hurting child can “taste and see that the Lord is good”
We picked out for Garin:
Feed a hungry baby for a week, to supply a week of nourishing
food for a baby or a nursing mother in places such the Horn of Africa
The Family gift was:
A Life-Saving Mosquito net to provide someone with a natural
insecticide treated net to protect against malaria.
The wonderful thing is that these all added up to $70
exactly! It was a success this year and we can’t wait to do this again! I challenge
you and your family to discuss and pray about making this a part of your family
traditions. If you are interested check out Samaritans purse at…
samaritanspurse.org/catalog
God Bless,
Joy
