Shoes to Spare

In 2010 I visited Rwanda to work alongside friends from The Ndengera Foundation. Those ten days wrote stories on my heart which frequently spill into my daily life. Just the other day I was helping my preschooler get ready for school and we were picking out shoes.  Should she wear her bright red boots or the black ones?  White patented leather or purple sandals?  A memory flashed. 

Our mission team was out visiting families and seeing the new field which would soon be planted with apple trees. As we tromped down the path a group of local kids came and joined our parade. One little guy could not keep up because he kept having to stop to reassemble the remnants of his shoe.  Ack. We have mountains of shoes at home but none here to hand this little boy.  We did have duct tape. So one of the men on our team duct taped the kid's shoe back into one piece and handed it back. He was rewarded with a jubilant smile and the little boy ran down the path to catch up with his friends. 

My child has shoes to spare and this kid was happy with duct tape. 

In the past seven years it's been a great joy to partner with The Ndengera Foundation as they build hope in their community. Apple trees and Tilapia Farms. Goats and mechanic supplies.A gorgeous new medical clinic and an education center. The photos and stories which come home are so encouraging.In June a team is headed to Gisenyi, Rwanda to celebrate a wedding. I so want to be on that plane but its just not in the cards this year. BUT!!!! One of my friends has agreed to gift me one of their suitcase allotments on the plane to bless some of the kids in the area and I've chosen to donate this space to send shoes!   They leave in less than a month so this fundraiser is a speedy race. I've got room to send 50 pairs of shoes. Will you join me?    

$15 buys one pair of shoes - I'd like to raise $800 which is 50 pairs of shoes plus one duffle bag to tote the pile overseas.  How fun to be able to send shoes to kids I love.   

If you are interested in joining in - check out my fundraiser page HERE.