Saturday, August 27, 2011

One need...

I knew before even laying my eyes on them that the children who attend the Manna Feeding program here at Eagles Nest would steal my heart... and sure enough they have. :)



Monday through Friday they walk between one and two miles to come and eat a meal and learn a little bit more about the One who created them and the One who loves them more than they could possibly understand. Some travel carry for younger siblings along the way, some walk in groups and some come alone. They are often dirty, tired, and coughing... but almost always have a look of hope in their eyes.

Yesterday when Pedro led the devotion he asked the children how we could be praying for them and some of the children shared their concerns about sick parents and parents needing work. But what blew me away was the ones who shared praises of safety and praises of being given the meal they were about to be served. Such a small thing to so many of us and something I know I have almost always taken for granted.

As the children gobbled down their meal and their little bellies were filled there was one thing that I just couldn't take my eyes off of...

their shoes.


As I looked at child after child's feet my heart ached. Shoes are precious here and something not one of them takes for granted. 2 days ago I was (attempting) to talk to a couple little girls in Spanish while some of the other children were playing soccer. I couldn't help but to notice how one little girl kept reaching down and rubbing at her feet. As I gently took her shoes off I notice the sores on her toes and how they had been so crammed into the shoes that were too small for her feet and how swollen they were. So, I did the only thing I knew how to do, I offered her a pair of Kadens who happen to wear the size she needed. They were boys shoes but that didn't matter a bit to her. Her beautiful smile said it all as she walked away proudly in her new shoes.

Many of you have asked me to let you know if there are needs here. There are so many I don't even know where to begin. So many that often times it becomes overwhelming and I wonder how one pair of shoes could even begin to make a difference. But it is in those times that the Lord reminds me to take it one day at a time, one moment at time, one child at a time...



A pair of shoes here cost approximately $15 a pair. While shoes can be shipped (although shipping is expensive) sizes for the children are not always right. If anyone is interested in purchasing a pair of shoes for a child they can send the money through paypal to http://www.eaglesnestint.org/Donate-to-the-Eagles-Nest_f08529.html  You will receive a confirmation number and then you can email me at blockamy@hotmail.com and let me know that you donated money for a child's shoes. We will then size that childs feet, take pictures of that child receiving their new shoes and send it to you. :)

The need here is so great... and I realize that not all of us can do everything but at the same time if I do not let the needs be known than people don't know how to help if the Lord has laid it on their heart. Perhaps you know someone who has a birthday coming and this would make a great gift to them instead of trying to come up with an idea to give to someone who already has enough. Perhaps it's a good project for a Sunday School class or even a family who is mission minded.

Jesus does not separate the physical needs from spiritual needs- He attends to both. As followers of Christ I believe it is a blessing to do the same. Thanks for being His hands and feet here on earth.

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26 comments:

Laurel said...

I am not only going to donate for a couple of pair of shoes ... but I am going to write a blog post and ask my readers to join me.

So many people are doing their "back to school" shopping right now ... spending $100s of dollars on each child. I am going to challenge my readers to ask each of their children what they could give up worth $15.

Or ... maybe the mamas could give up 2 trips to the coffee shop this week?

Or ... maybe their kids could take a sack lunch to school for just one week, in order to buy a child a pair of shoes.

Of course ... I am NOT spending $100s on each of my children. I am not going to the coffee shop this week. My kids are not buying hot lunch at school (because they don't go to school). But ... I WILL donate towards a couple of pair of shoes.

LOVE you!!!

Laurel

jan said...

amy, this is exactly what you need to be doing! thank you for giving us a chance to help!!! just donated and will send email :) love you!

Gina said...

Woo-Hoo!!! Our first need request. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been waiting for the first need to be shared. Thanks for sharing Amy!!!

trustandobey said...

We are very tight on money (husband out of work for 2 years) but we do have many pairs of shoes that are in good shape. Can you use them? Can you ask some to donate toward shipping costs? We have shoes with no feet and you have feet with no shoes...there must be a way these two groups can meet:)
Lisa

Jules said...

Oh Amy! How much we take for granted here! Bless you all! I'll work on it. Send me an email when you have "time." :) Have you caught up on some rest yet? Love, Julie

Jenny said...

I'm on a shoe mission!!!!

Amber said...

Amy I would love to put something together to get these kids new shoes. Send me a message on facebook if you can. Just let me know how many pairs and I will start making hats to sell for shoes.

Carla said...

Thankyou for sharing a glimpse into the ministry and your new life. Those little faces take me back to our year spent in rural Mexico. Makes me long to be back feeding empty bellies and putting shoes on bare little feet! sigh. God Bless you as you adjust to your new home.

Elle Bee said...

What a simple, beautiful thing to give to a child--shoes!! All just part of saving their "soles". :o) You know, this would be a fantastic Christmas gift for me to give to my family members. I could put the photo in an envelope with an explanation of the gift. God bless you for what you are doing!

Rachel H. said...

So sweet!!

Jenny said...

I'm excited to show this to my children and we will donate some pairs of shoes; I'm going to post it on my blog as well.
Thanks for letting us be part!
Jenny
www.ourplansmultiplied.blogspot.com

Stacy said...

Amy,
I think you are so LUCKY to get to serve the way you are. What an incredible journey for you and your family. I'm a little jealous! : )
Thank you for posting the needs that we can help with. Blessings to you!

Sophie said...

Precious feet, it just breaks my heart.
I will definitely donate.
Hugs

shelley said...

LOVE reading about your family serving every day of your lives for Jesus. Keep up the great work.

Marisa said...

Have you thought of getting in touch with Tom's Shoes - not sure how to open that door, but pray it get's opened!

hdreier said...

Hi Amy. I have been following your blog for a while and I'm so inspired by what you are doing. Regarding the need for shoes there is a great non for profit named Soles 4 Souls there might be able to help you get shoes for all the kids. Check out this link and go to the Request help part.
http://www.soles4souls.org/get_involved/areas_in_need/
Hoping this can get you some on going help. Please let me know if there is anything else we can help with.
Sincerely Hanna

Unknown said...

What an awesome Christmas present this will be for my family. Thank you for sharing the need, and allowing us to be a part of what God is doing!

AmberK said...

Amy, I am asking my church to join in!

Much Love, Hugs and Prayers
AmberK

Amanda Smith said...

Hi Amy,Love your blog, your family, and the AWESOME work you are doing! There is a local thrift store in the nice part of our town that sells kids shoes for 99cents each. I have found good quality shoes so many times for my kids, including Nikes,and New Balance shoes for just $1. I would love to fill up a box for you guys and send it to you. I could donate $45 for 3 pairs of shoes, or use that $45 to send as many pairs as I can in all different sizes to you guys. I would love to help you guys either way. Feel free to send me an email at greenbug728@yahoo dot com. Also, if you know what range of sizes and if you need more girls or boys shoes and what season so I can keep my eyes out at yard sales and other thrift stores as well. Thanks and God Bless your family and those precious children you guys are working with!

Mrs. Breum said...

I have been following your blog for about 2 years, and never comment, but I just wanted to comment today and say how much your commitment to what the Lord has asked you has so inspired and excited me. We have 7 kids (4 adopted through foster care) and I just love reading about your family and how God is using all of you. Thank you for taking the time to share with us on your blog.

Melanie said...

Hi Amy,
I love what you are doing and I so wish I was there right beside you to help. I am planning to donate shoes for the precisous little ones. I will be donating this Friday.

Blessings,
Melanie

Melanie said...

Hi Amy!
I wish I was there with you!! What an awesome work you are doing and wonderful testimony. I will donatee this friday for shoes for the precious little ones!! I will also keep your family anad ministry in my prayers!

Blesings,
Melanie

valerie in TX said...

Hi Amy, I'm sure you are going to receive more advice than you need on this. :) But just wanted to offer another possible avenue for getting shoes? I recently received a flyer in the mail from Life Outreach International seeking donations to buy shoes for their Christmas shoe project. The flyer said they can buy shoes for $3.60. I'm sure that's because they're such a big ministry, but I'm just wondering if there's some way Eagle's Nest could connect/partner with them to be the recipient of some of their shoes? It might be worth at least checking into.

Here's a link to their website:
http://www.lifetoday.org/outreaches/christmas-shoe-project/

Sally-Girl! said...

Just sent two shoes your way via paypal! Love your heart! Love your mission! Hope to come visit at some point!

Stacy said...

Just sent money for shoes! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to help!

Lexi said...

You can count me in on this! I'm going to talk to the bible teacher (who I am going to start working with in middle school) about this! If I come this summer, you can bet there will be shoes in my suitcase.