Shoes For Africa

Typical morning:

• wake up
• get ready for work
• get dressed
• pick out what pair of shoes to wear 

For most of us, this is what our typical "getting ready" routine is like day after day. I am sure if you are like me, you own many pairs of shoes- flip flops, sandals, tennis shoes, heels, flats and if you are married, you may double the amount of shoes in your closet. I know for me and Nate, our shoes come in a variety of styles, brands, shapes, and colors.

However, not everyone around the world has the same luxury we do to just walk to a closet to pick out their favorite pair of shoes. There are many children and adults that wake up in the morning with only the clothes on their backs, no clean water, and have never owned a pair of shoes. These children walk, play, and work in harsh conditions with no shoes on their feet. Both Nate and I have seen this firsthand in different countries where we have been.

Oftentimes, these feet become the entry point for diseases and parasites. In remote villages in Africa, children's feet become affected by jiggers, which are parasites that enter the feet and without treatment, can eventually cause serious infection, paralysis, loss of limbs, or eventually claim lives. This semester, the church community group that we lead decided to do something different and take on a global ministry project to make shoes for children in Uganda and Zambia through an organization called Sole Hope.

Sole Hope was founded by a Christian couple whose hearts were stirred after seeing a video about this problem in Uganda and how shoes could help prevent the sickness many children were experiencing. In visiting Africa, the saw first-hand the medical issues that orphans were experiencing and observed the needs that widows were facing just trying to provide for their children. They were moved and knew they must do something tangible. From this vision, Sole Hope was founded.  Sole Hope seeks to teach widows the trade of shoe making, providing them with materials, training and jobs and in turn allowing them to make shoes to provide to orphans and children in their communities.  By meeting a physical need, it opens a door for them to the meet spiritual needs of those they serve on mission trips and through their ministry.


(Watch the following video to learn more)

So what was our part in this project? Sole Hope encourages groups to host a "shoe making party" where you purchase materials, gather your friends, and trace and cut patterns given by Sole Hope. 

Sole Hope uses every day materials as well as recyclable materials as part of their shoes. Tires are used to make the sole of the shoe and milk jugs or plastic bottles are used as part of the heel reinforcement.

Tracing Milk Jug for Heel Reinforcement

An every day pair of jeans are cut into patterns to help provide additional support to the shoe. 

Groups are encouraged to sponsor each pair of shoes for $10. This amount goes to provide a fair wage to a widow being taught the trade of shoe-making as well as provides support to ship the materials each group has cut out and prepped for the final step that will be completed by widows in Africa. Groups can also sponsor shoes, even if they don't host a shoe-cutting event.

Tracing The Materials and Cutting out Shoe Parts

Heel Patches and Milk Jugs Traced to Reinforce Heels

Our group had a great time working together to trace, cut, and prepare items for the shoes that would then be sent to Africa and sewn by widows.

Several hours and 150 material pieces later, we had completed 15 pair of shoes and as a group, had sponsored over 20 pairs of shoes.

 At the end of the night, we gathered as a group to pray for the orphans that would receive these shoes and the widow's hands that would sew them. 

During our project, we used scrap material and were able to use even the smallest scraps to make parts of the shoe. The insignificant pieces that many would have just thrown aside, we were able to take and make something beautiful of.  This is a visual,  yet tangible, reminder that if we are willing to see the little things in people, take time for children or adults that others may have ignored or cast aside- God just might use those little moments and turn them into something beautiful and useful for His glory.

A Sneak Preview...

I'm really excited about tomorrow and our community group's service project and wanted to give you a sneak preview of what's to come.  Unfortunately, you are not going to get any hints other than the photos below.  I can tell you this, we have been planning this for several weeks now and it involves some of the following items: material, milk jugs, tires, scissors, highlighters, and pinking shears.

My Favorite Fabric Store

We are excited to share more with you tomorrow.........

Mother's Day Around the World

A brunch, a cookout, or dinner with family all around- this is our picture of what a traditional Mother's Day celebration looks like in our part of the world.  For most of us, this day is either celebrated by spending time with our mothers or by phone or Skype when we call to remind our moms just how much they mean to us and how much they are loved.  For some, this may be a more difficult day and I'll get to those thoughts in a moment, but before I do, let me share a little with you about tents, popsicles, and jewelry.


This year for Mother's Day, we spent Saturday with my family and I was able to enjoy some down time with my mom while Nate occupied my dad for the day. (you will soon understand why the men didn't want to join in our adventure) Generally we do Sunday activities with our mothers on this special day, but to change things up a bit, my mom and I decided to go to an art festival that was taking place on Saturday. This, of course, is where my dad WILLINGLY allowed me to take my mom, as he knew otherwise, he would have to join her in looking at things that most men could care less about, so he was thrilled that I wanted to go to this event with her. 


This weekend's festival draws vendors and artists from all over the United States and I must say, I was surprisingly impressed with many of the vendors. There were intricate paintings, photographs taken from around the world, pottery, clothing, jewelry, unique gifts, and plenty of activities for children. For those of you who are Etsy lovers, it was a "mini-Etsy" under several big tents. There were so many creative ideas, so of course I'm thinking "how can I make that item for way less?"

As we all know, the best part of any festival like this is always the taste testing that takes place. There were vendors with creative food ideas and unique one of a kind gifts, such as gourmet hot chocolates, coffees, herb dips, candies, special sauces and marinades, to name a few. If you could come up with some creative way to package it, you could probably charge twice what it is worth and sell it here.


What we thought would be the highlight of our day (well, maybe that isn't the best choice of words considering the reaction we would later have) was a local business that specializes in unique flavors of popsicles, made from fresh fruits and all-natural ingredients. Now, you might think you've tasted every popsicle that is out there, but my guess is that you haven't tasted Peppermint Tea Citrus or Dark Chocolate Banana Mango Curry popsicles.

Yes, you read that right, a popsicle with tea and curry in it. As anyone who knows me well understands, I always like new things and will try about anything, so truthfully I was really excited about both of these flavors. However,  it might have been too much for even my tastebuds! I had to laugh at my mom's reaction of hers- I think she was just trying to be nice by saying that the peppermind tea citrus one "was refreshing" (<---- mental note to self, remember that line the next time you don't really like what you just tasted) as it was quite an odd combination of flavors, as was the kick of curry that was in mine.  Maybe we should have followed our instincts and went for the simple fruit popsicles.


As I reflected on this Mother's Day weekend, several  thoughts came to mind. I am very blessed to have the most wonderful mom in the world (there isn't enough room on this post to say everything that she means to me). I'm also blessed to have an incredible mother-in-law as well as incredible grandmothers who have provided such an amazing example throughout their lives.

However, I cannot reflect on this day without thinking of many of you who may not be able to celebrate Mother's day the way that I do:

• Your mother may no longer be living, but you still reflect on precious memories 
• You may long to be a mother, but at this time, this has not become a reality for you
• You may not have a close relationship with your mother
• You may be living far away from your mom this year, and wish you could be with her
• You may be celebrating this Mother's Day as a single mom or as a mother who has lost a child

This day can be tough for many around the world. However, we cannot think about Mother's Day without thinking about children.  Millions of children have been orphaned, thousands of which also live here in the U.S. These children long for a mother to love them or be there for them when they cry, are hungry, or when they scrape their knee.  I've seen children in India, Africa, China, and South America, who live on the streets and who live in orphanages as well as those here in our own foster care system. For some of these children, their mothers had to make a very difficult choice of love so that they could be cared for in a greater way than they could provide. I truly cannot fully comprehend this kind of love, but I know this would be one of the most sacrificial acts- to do what is best for your child even when faced with the most difficult decision or circumstances.

This year, as Nate and I reflected on this day, we realize that our future daughter is most likely either conceived or already born and living somewhere in China. We think of and celebrate her birthmother, a woman who we will never meet, but who chose to give our future daughter life. On this Mother's Day, we thank an incredibly brave young woman, living on the other side of the world, for her sacrificial and loving act.

It’s Race Day- Run for Their Lives

For many of you who are avid runners and absolutely get a thrill and adrenaline rush from entering 5k, 10k, and half marathons- this is the post for you.  You will find humor in the fact that this girl doesn’t love running.  

Even though there was a period in my life (albeit brief) in which I did- something happened to that girl and I would much more prefer a very nice speed walk these days. Somehow though, in spite of this fact, I still participated in my first ever 5k- “Run For Their Lives” race today. (though I will admit, I did a run/walk – I just won’t tell you how much was walking vs running)  

Our church partners with Freedom 424, a ministry founded to help young girls and women who are trapped in the sex trafficking industry around the world.  "Run for Their Lives" is a race we sponsor through Freedom 424, to bring awareness and provide funding to those ministering on the front lines. 

We often don’t think that slavery exists; however, sex trafficking and child prostitution are very prevalent throughout the globe, even within the United States.  Unfortunately, our eyes are often blinded to this fact and we don’t want to believe it.

Sex trafficking is fueled around the world by poverty, as many sell their children into this industry to provide for their families, and it continues to grow at an alarming rate worldwide. In many parts of the world, women are considered property and are not valued. My first real exposure to this thought in a “face to face” context, was when Nate and I were on a mission trip in China. It was during that trip that we had several long conversations about this topic with our interpreter.  In hearing her talk about how “women are considered more like property and are not equal to men”, it gripped both Nate’s and my heart.  This conversation is just one of many reasons that we felt a tug in our hearts towards adopting a little girl from China, as sexual trafficking is also very common among orphans who do not have caregivers, or girls who “age out of orphanages” and have no place to go with no hope of finding employment due to their status.

The issue of human slavery is complex, but Freedom 424 is taking a stand and seeking not only to bring awareness, but to work directly with others on the same mission.

F242 currently partners with ministries in Thailand, India, Nicaragua, Uganda, Kenya, and the U.S., to name a few of their partnerships, and seeks to help girls by providing a path to freedom. This may begin with freedom for a day, but may become freedom for a lifetime. 

Many of F424’s partners provide centers that enable each girl to seek Christian counseling, medical care, education, and job training. The love of God is shared with each girl; while seeking to build a relationship of trust with the hope that in time she will not only be free from sexual slavery, but find true freedom in Christ through salvation.

Before each race begins, each volunteer and runner is given the name of a girl who is currently being ministered to through Freedom 424's partners. It is written on each runner’s arm so that while they walk, run, or volunteer, they can also be praying for her. Today, I ran for Anjali, a girl in India.

 Anjali: Though I have never met you and will never truly understand what pain or emotions you may have experienced today or in the past, I do know one thing- you were being thought of and prayed for today along with hundreds of other girls around the world.  May you, today and in the days to come, feel comfort, love, and peace that can only come from our loving heavenly Father, who cares for you more than you will ever know.  He has a beautiful plan for your life.

CAFO Summit Conference- Justice & Mercy Flow From the Gospel

Before you start to tune this post out, just because you think I’m only going to talk about orphans and adoption, let me encourage you to read more and learn more about what CAFO is all about.  Since I was unable to attend in person, I watched a portion of this conference this evening through a LIVE simulcast and it just made me wish that I could have been there even more. This week’s Christian Alliance for Orphan’s Conference, held in Southern California, is themed:


    “Mercy and Justice Flow from the Gospel”. 

This conference is held annually in different parts of the U.S. and is more than simply a conference about orphans and adoption, but rather a conference aimed to motivate the church to participate in ministry through orphan care, foster care, adoption, and other global initiatives.

This event generally attracts 2,000 pastors, church leaders, organization leaders, and other ministries, and is organized and sponsored by many Christian ministries and adoption agencies (i.e. Compassion International, Show Hope, Focus on the Family, Family Life Today--to name a few—and if I may add, the agency I work for is very involved in this too, I couldn’t leave that out now could I?). 

CAFO recognizes that the Biblical mandate to care for orphans cannot be achieved by government, nor can it be carried out by full-time ministry professionals alone.  Rather, the conference stresses the strategic importance of mobilizing, equipping, and interconnecting Christians for lifelong engagement in adoption, foster care and global orphan ministries rooted in the local church.

Numerous speakers and artists grace the Summit’s stage to share personal stories of adoption, global ministry, and ways the church can impact their local community. Speakers and artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore, Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Crawford Lorrits, Dennis & Barbara Rainey, Dr. Russell Moore, Dr. Karen Purvis, and more share their own personal stories of adoption, foster care, and other ministries that they have launched in their communities or in their local churches and provide resources and information to equip other church leaders and individuals to do the same.

This year’s Summit had over 80 breakout sessions and covered topics such as “How to Reach Orphans in Unreached People Groups”, “Keeping Marriage & Family Strong”, “Building Church Ministries”,  “Mentoring America’s Fatherless”,  “Growing a Heart for the Orphan through Youth & Children’s Ministries”,  “Human Trafficking & the Orphan Crisis”, “The Church as an Alternative to Foster Care”, & “Growing a Church that Mirrors God’s Heart” to name several.   

While listening to the simulcast briefly tonight, one of the speakers noted how adoption is the heart of the Gospel and how often we see Christ’s example of caring for “the least of these” and his mandate to “make disciples” expressed throughout Scripture. He talked about how if every believer and church would take to heart what the Bible teaches about caring for the poor, the fatherless, etc. - there would never be a need for our government to try to intervene in these areas. The speaker noted that once we realize what the Scriptures teach in this area, Christians should be the first ones in line to be a voice for those who have no voice, and to seek to foster, adopt, or assist those who desire to do these things.  It should become “the norm” within the church today.  (I will also insert here that I realize there are scores of other commands equally as important within the Bible to which we are mandated to obey as well, but for the sake of this post, I’m sticking to this particular thought just for tonight)

One thought-provoking question that I've been challenged by recently is "If not the church- then who?"  Let this thought sink a bit deeper into your mind, your heart, and I challenge you to seek what the Scriptures teach in these areas—I promise you’ll find it is talked about a lot more than you may have realized and there is no way to get around Christ's second greatest commandment in Mark 12:30-31 "Love your neighbor as yourself."  That's a challenging command and some pretty big shoes to fill.