Reading For Hope!

Instilling in our children the desire to be life-long givers is very important to my husband and I.  It has been exciting to watch the children grow and begin to learn to think of others before themselves. This year, as we did last year, we wanted to have the kids participate in a way to give a gift to Jesus for Christmas, since, after all it is HIS birth we celebrate!  After discussing which organization(s) they wanted to give to, we talked about ways they might earn this money.  Taking a spin off of other "pledge"- based giving, (i.e. walk-a-thons, etc.) we all decided that since the kids could read, they could read to earn money.  They wrote a letter to their close relatives and friends, addressed the envelopes, stamped, and sent them in the mail.  After a 30 day challenge each child was able to reach their goal.  One child had really wanted to be able to purchase a goat through World Vision and the other children wanted to collect their money for a girls' orphanage we are connected to in South East Asia that keeps young girls out of the enslavement of human trafficking. After a total of 152 books, I'm happy to say that the goat will be able to be purchased (and perhaps a chicken or two) and we will have a part in purchasing a much needed washing machine and other household items desperately needed for the orphanage.  God's kingdom will expand through these meager gifts ~ what better Christmas gift could we offer?

I pray your family will enjoy the blessing of giving to others and be excited about expanding God's Kingdom in whatever way He leads you to do.

Happy Thanksgiving!