Changing 137 Lives

Hi Everyone!!

I have good news to report! I now have 137 pairs of shoes to take to El Salvador. The people of Central America have recently endured tropical storm Agatha. Natural disasters such as these only add to the hardships of the people of El Salvador.  I can only hope that the shoes I'm collecting will ease some of their pain.

Yesterday was my last day of school and as I was walking out the door, I found  a pair of tennis shoes that someone had thrown in the trash. These were tennis shoes with hardly any dirt on them and in great condition. The only thing wrong with them was that they were a little smelly-- that's probably why they were in the trash.  As I looked at them, I was thinking these nearly new shoes probably cost about $30.00 or more and didn't belong in the trash.  As I dug them out, I became excited as I thought about how God placed that opportunity in front of me and how He's able to use simple things to help others.

Keep the shoes coming!! I will take any and all shoes that you would like to donate.

Update 2

Hello Everyone!!

I would like to let all of you know I have made GREAT progress on collecting shoes for El Salvador! I now have 46 shoes and more coming! It has been amazing to see how gracious everyone has been! I know the El Salvadoran people will be so thankful to own a pair of shoes. I was talking to my dad tonight and we were discussing how we own so many pairs of shoes and don't think anything thing of it. In my closet I have about 30 pairs of shoes. I think how blessed I am to have different shoes to wear to school, to work, to mow the grass (so I don't get my other nice shoes dirty), to dances, to church, and the list goes on and on. Just think about it. How often do we drop $25.00 on a pair of shoes that we may wear ten times and then say we don't like them anymore? I know I do it.

I am so excited to give these shoes to others to show the love of Christ and let them pass the word onto their family and friends. Starting with something just as simple as a pair of shoes.





Thank you so much to everyone who has donated!! I will be sure to keep you posted and send you pictures when I return. As of now if you have shoes that you don't want I will take them! Also if you do not have shoes but would like to donate cash, I am planning on buying some flip flops to take with me. Flip flops are light weight and since we are flying that is key component. And once again, keep the team in your prayers! Our trip is less than a month away and I know everyone is very excited!!

Welcome!

 Hi Everyone!!



I have decided to start a blog to keep all of you posted on how things are coming along for my very exciting trip to El Salvador!  I have been so blessed and have raised all of my money needed to go. Thank you so much for the donations from everyone!!!  It would not be possible for me to go on this trip without your help!  I am so blessed to be surrounded by my friends and family who support me!!  As each new day comes, I get more excited and can't wait till the time finally comes to go be God's hands and feet and make a difference in His children. 

I am also very excited about something else.  About three months ago, I had the thought of wanting to do something on my own to help the El Salvadoran people.  I wrestled around with an idea and then decided I had nothing to lose by acting upon it.  A few months ago, I sent out letters to various stores asking for donations of items and heard nothing back.  Of course, feeling discouraged and upset I lost the momentum of wanting to do anything.  Last Sunday I got that momentum back!  A good friend of mine who knew I wanted to help in some way, wanted to help me to help others too.  My friend came to me at Church and handed me a bag of shoes.  She told me it was for the mission trip and she wanted to help donate.  I was so excited!!!  After three months of waiting for any type of response from the stores I sent letters to, I got help from someone I didn't even write a letter to.  My friend was motivated out of the thoughtfulness of her heart and compassion for others.  I am blessed to have such a friend!!!!   After that, I got very excited to try to get more shoes.  I started calling family and friends and the response was amazing!!  As of now, I am up to 22 pairs of shoes!!  My friend and I are planning on washing all of the shoes together soon!  Thank you to all who are able to help me and more importantly, help those in El Salvador who have hurting feet.  Something as simple as a pair of shoes can make a huge difference to them!


I will keep all of you posted on how things are coming along!  I still have to talk to my Youth Pastor to figure out how on earth we are going to get all these shoes to El Salvador.  If I get too many, the worst thing that would happen is we can give them to people here in Dayton. Someone needs shoes somewhere.