Thankful For....A Sock?

Yes, I'm thankful for a sock this Thanksgiving! It's not just any sock, however: the mystery photo from the last post is Janie's Christmas Stocking (you can read what we did with the stocking last year here). It was a thrill last year to collect, alongside so many friends and family (as well as a few total strangers!), enough money to buy a cow for a family in Rwanda through a wonderful aid organization called Food For the Hungry. We also helped several local families. I honestly wonder who got the greater blessing, the folks who received the help, or all of us who were involved with giving it. So I'm thankful.

Before last year's project was even over, many were asking if we'd do it again this year. Well, we decided with a resounding, "yes!" We've decided this year to not only help one family with one cow, but to help a whole village of people by buying them a well! Can you imagine walking four hours, waiting in line for two, getting your jerrycans of clean water, and walking home another four hours with forty pounds of water? And repeating this every three days? That is what some families have to do to obtain clean water that won't cause sicknesses from water related disease. A well right in their own village can save people from all this, and it will help not only one or two people, but a whole village of people. Plus, Food For the Hungry gives these resources in Jesus's name, which is the greater gift of course.

The goal will be
$2500, which is substantially more than last year, but I've been amazed at how generous people were last year, even in the midst of a tough economy. I don't really know what the reach and impact of this humble little blog is, but I'd rather be ridiculously ambitious than play it too 'safe,' wouldn't you?

As before, anyone who wants to get involved can send (or hand me directly if you are local) your checks. This time around, though, make the check out to Food For The Hungry. I'll send them all in at once so all of it will be designated to this project. This way, you will get a receipt from FH. Tax deductible this time! Does that encourage you to increase your amount? I hope so!

Also, we are adding one more feature which I will announce in a future post, so stay tuned, because it's kind of cool!

When we decided to do this special project last year, we really hadn't anticipated the degree to which it would help us (especially me I think) to "get through" Christmas without Janie. But it was such joy. So I'm hoping to continue it in her memory, and in Jesus's name. So thank you so much in advance for contributing!