Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Blessing Bags

Hey Guys,

I am really excited to show you what I've been up to over here. I don't know if you came across this, but I saw this post on Ordinary Hero last week. If you missed it, let me summarized for you. My pals at OH travel to Ethiopia often. Every few weeks they go do mission work. Their purpose is simply to serve on the most basic level. Finding people who need help and need love and giving it freely. They did something a little differently this time. They drove out into the country to see what they could find. And this is what they found.







The need there is obviously great as we all know. But this post, as sad as it is looking like it's going to be... is not. We all know there are starving kids in Africa. Yeah, we know. And we know there are great organizations that we can fund to feed them. Yeah, we know that too. But today I want to talk to you about what YOU in your house in front of your computer can do right now to give love, light, and hope as well as food and clothing to one of them. This is a post about POWER. Your power.

God didn't call us to have compassion and feel sad when we see these pictures. Yes, we have a heart like His and it breaks to see this, but...

If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16

Now hear me out. We're not going to go into a guilt trip. We're going to do something fun. Here's a challenge. I had alot of fun doing this. In fact I'm having a little party with my girlfriends this weekend to make more. Here's the mission. Blessing Bags. We're going to mail them to Ordinary Hero and they're going to take them out to the country. It's really that simple. Do you have some clothes that your kids have outgrown? A plethora of toys from The Golden Arches? How about some extra Nutrigrains in your pantry? We're going to assemble bags that can be not only a blessing, but possibly sustain life for another day in a country that, right now, has people literally starving to death. What can you do? Give them some food. Here's what my bags look like.







Ordinary Hero is asking that you include an outfit with socks and undies and a treat. I went ahead and included some snacks. It must fit in a gallon sized bag. Then you just label it with the size and gender. They'll distribute.

Let's let go of our perfectionism on this. Don't not participate because you can't complete a whole bag or because you only have girl stuff. Don't shop if you don't want to. But don't feel bad if you do want to. God knows your heart and your intentions. Give from your heart. There's plenty you can do to meet the physical needs of a child and give a sigh of relief to a mother. I think we are in the midst of a revolution in learning that each of us, a common person (not a preacher, not a missionary, just a person) can do something to help. So here's one more way to Give1. Give 1 Blessing Bag. I'll post next week and let you know what my party came up with. Maybe you can have a little party too. Or maybe you just have a bag to contribute. When you're done send it to:
Amy Bealle

Ordinary Hero

105 Keeton Drive.

Hopkinsville, Ky 42240

9 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, thanks for telling us about it!

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  2. This is a great idea Beth! We did bags like these after the Haiti earthquake and it was so cool... I think I might need to have a party too ;)

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  3. I'm excited about this. This is something I can do besides my weekly dollar. Just an idea maybe women who do not have children anymore could make a women's bag with a ladies shirt and a snack. Maybe a lotion or chapstick. Just an idea for people who's children are grown.

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  4. sorry I must have hit the wrong key.

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  5. I love you for doing this!! We're doing them, too! As soon who has been there, out in the country, throwing things out the window to barefoot/naked/starving children - the need is GREAT.

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  6. Love this!!!! I'm going to pass this on to my Bible study group and get them in on it too!
    Awesome!

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  7. I made 7 bags tonight and it was so much fun. I'm so happy that something so simple will help children that are in need. I got clothes from my son's closet and went through his toy boxes. Many children in America have so much we do not even realize just sharing some of their things from each family can make a huge impact on Africa. Thanks for sharing this project Beth!

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  8. Great idea! Looking forward to seeing what I can place in some blessing bags! U'll get a package from me soon! God Bless.

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  9. Amy, when do the bags need to be to you by?.....

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