Matthew West ~ Great Lengths

One child at a time.. one shoebox at a time.. because each child matters!

Uganda ~ Samaritan's Purse Impact Story

An impact story from Uganda of Samaritan's Purse, posted just today.

May 30, 2012

A Place To Call Home

By Jodi Blackam, program management adviser

I have been thinking a lot recently about where I call home.

While living in Uganda I have referred to both the United Kingdom and Uganda as home. When Chris and I are planning a trip to the UK we talk to our staff about going home for a few weeks. Then when we are in the UK and coming to the end of our holiday we talk to our family about when we go back home—referring to Uganda.

We have been privileged to call two places home. In less than a week we will be leaving our Uganda home and heading back to our original home in the UK, a transition that brings many emotions. However, the concept of home was put in to perspective last week when I visited our refugee feeding project in Western Uganda.

We have recently taken over a project that is providing food in six refugee settlements in Western Uganda. The refugees are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, and other countries in Africa.

Last week the project was asked to expand to also cover a rapidly growing settlement near our field office in Kamwenge that is receiving refugees from DRC. When we arrived at the food distribution point within the settlement, a huge lorry was offloading people and belongings. The refugees receive a plot of land to set up a temporary home, and then potentially a more permanent structure.

That day 1,5000 new refugees arrived, and they are expecting at least 3,000 each week. Soon the settlement will be hosting nearly 30,000 people.

Seeing these individuals and families with everything there could carry when they were forced to flee was indescribable. I cannot imagine feeling so in danger that I pack what I can carry and run from my home. We have accumulated so much stuff during out time in Uganda that I want to keep, so we are packing bag after bag. If I have to carry it on my back I would be prioritizing very differently.

It was amazing to see the exhausted, bewildered, desperate people receiving a hot meal and then being given a basic hygiene and household supply kit and a monthly ration of food. After the journey they had been on that was the least we could do to help them start their new life.

These people really have nothing. They are in a new country where they don’t speak the language, but it is better than the alternative. I felt privileged to be connected to a project that is among the first people to welcome these refugees to their new home.

Free Rag Doll Pattern

Oh, I love this doll. Everything could be done just as in the instruction.. but the size would need to be scaled down to fit in the shoebox. I am NOT good at sewing but I understood the pattern and instructions and feel that I could do this! And if I can... you can too!

Find the full instructions at http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-doll-pattern.html

Summer Shoebox Shopping

As we head into summer and summer vacation, I wanted to remind you that if you stay in hotels, those small wrapped soaps can be saved for your shoeboxes!

Also keep watch for great deals on summer items-
Flip Flops
Sunglasses
T-shirts
Outdoor toys- balls, small frisbees, beach balls, jumpropes, etc

These items are everywhere and some stores are already starting to mark them down occasionally. Wonderful things for our shoeboxes can sometimes be found for next to nothing. Happy Shopping!

This photo is from Clip with Purpose blog... where she says of this photo: "I want to encourage you to include flip flops or shoes in your shoeboxes, if you are able.  The picture above was taken during a shoebox distribution in West Africa 2 years ago.  Some of children were wearing flip flops like the ones pictured, with the heels completely worn through and the front repaired with rubber bands!"

Celebrating our Freedom.. Memorial Day thoughts

I am so very thankful today for all those who have served in our military over the years, even unto laying down their lives, so that we can live in freedom. There are never enough words to adequately express my gratitude or thank them for the sacrifices made for our nation.

We are so blessed to live in a nation that is free.. free to worship Jesus.. free to spread the gospel. And so blessed to live in a land of prosperity, even during this economic downturn. There is a price to freedom. And I am beyond humbled when I think of that cost, in lives, in hardship, in blood.

As I am involved in OCC I am SO aware that there are many in the world who do not have that freedom and are not able to worship God openly.

And on Memorial Day, I also remember our Savior who laid down His life willingly for freedom. And therefore, I desire to spread to others around the world the Good News that they are offered TRUE ETERNAL FREEDOM. And we have the right to spread the gospel because of the sacrifice of our heroes. Thank you.

Operation Christmas Child ~ Ugandan children run with joy

As we eagerly await news from Uganda, I want to encourage you today, on the feast of Shavuot or Pentacost, to REJOICE for God is bringing in the harvest. He is spreading His Word, and His Spirit is going forth through shoeboxes packed, prepared, and distributed by so many people who through this simple gift are sharing the love of Christ one child and one shoebox at a time.

So watch these children, and rejoice with them.

Uganda, Missionary

As we await news and pictures from Wayne and Terrie from their shoebox distribution in Ugand, please pardon me once again for posting not about OCC. Still, this IS about reaching Uganda for Christ and in love. This time, I wanted to give a glimpse into Uganda through a different woman, Therese MacFarlane, a missionary sponsored in part my by own church. You can follow her on her blog at http://whereheleadsgo.blogspot.com/

Uganda ~ Kisses From Katie

This post is not about Operation Christmas Child but is ALL about Jesus, how He works and loves and saves, and it is about Uganda and a young woman willing to be used by God in simple and profound ways. This post is about Katie. I had read the book and blog a while back Kisses From Katie, but saw it again at Terrie and Wayne's house at their send off to Uganda. It brought it back to mind. And although I struggled momentarily with posting something totally not about Operation Christmas Child on this blog... I could not resist.

If you have the chance read Kisses From Katie, the book, at many libraries. And visit her blog, http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

See how God is working through the love of this woman. Be prepared with kleenex.

To taste just a glipse...

Shopping Year Round For Greater Savings

It is no surprise to my readers that I shop year round. I shop using the deals and coupons I post here. I watch for freebies and almost freebies. I shop sales and clearance racks. I shop for new items at garage sales or thrift stores (emphasis on new.) But I also use a general calendar for shopping as well.

A Year of OCC

January
- After Christmas Sales - Wrapping Paper, tape, clearance stocking stuffers, small plush, candy canes, and various fun items for the boxes can be found

February
- After Valentine's Clearance - Candy (that won't expire), small plush and toys and pencils. Hearts help show the love of Christ
- After winter clearance - gloves, hats, scarves (generally will get down to 25cents eventually)

March
- Washcloths and Soap (Dollar Tree sells 3 packs of Dial basic soap for $1, and 3 packs of washcloths for $1 although I often find sale ones elsewhere of better quality for just a bit more)
- Musical Instruments - harmonica, kazoo, maracas, castanets, recorder, whistle, etc.

April
-Easter Clearance - cute plush (lambs??), religious items, pencils, small toys

May
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste (if you have not found these through great coupon deals for all but free, the dollar stores have these available all year)

June
- Summer Items - toys, balls, beachballs, jumpropes, flipflops, sunglasses.. whatever you can find at good prices
- Hotel soaps throughout the summer or whenever you travel

July
- Practical items - tote bag, pencil case, water bottle or cup, sewing kit, calculator (it is not unusual to find solar calculators for $1 at Walmart), fishing kit, tools, work gloves, gardening tools.... in short whatever you feel lead to give.. or find at a great deal, appropriate for the age you are shopping for.

August
- Back to School - Pencils, Notebooks, Crayons, Pencil Sharpener, Scissors, Ruler, Erasers, etc
- End of Summer Clearance - flipflops, hats, tshirts, sunglasses

September
- End of Summer Clearance Continued
- Socks, or other practical clothing items

October
- Combs, Brushes, Barrettes, hairbands, etc

November
- Leftover or Sale Halloween Candy
- Toy or Doll or Car for the Box
- Photo or postcard or letter for your box

As you see, my goal is to spread items throughout the year, capitalizing on sales as able... and buying a good variety of items all year.

If all you do is buy 1-2 items per month, usually at $1 each or less, you will easily fill a box by November... for very little money. If you shop sales and coupons and deals... buying multipacks when that is the best deal.. you may find that for what you used to spend on 1 box you can fill MANY boxes!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Another photo gallery from Uganda!!

http://lockerz.com/s/211373243

With each new tweet and post and picture, I grow more eager to hear the update from Wayne and Terrie... and I am urged anew to lift my heart in prayer! Just LOOK at these precious children!