"Letters from Africa"

"You have not truly lived

until you have done something for someone

who can never repay you."

~ John Bunyon ~

 

Today I'm going to give you an opportunity to do something for someone - and perhaps win one of the fabulous gifts being offered.  My sweet friend, Vicki Boster, has been contacted by Josephine, a social worker, in Uganda.  Josephine is asking for help for abused and/or ill children.

 

Vicki has stepped up to the plate and accepted Josephine's plea and has written a post on her blog asking for your help.  Here is a letter I've copied and pasted from her blog (with her permission, of course.)

 

Josephine,

After what seems like such a long time, in actuality, a couple of months,

I finally have all the plans in place for a charitable blog project that I hope

will bring help to your beautiful children.

Soon, I will share this project with my wonderful blog readers.

You and I will pray that they will be moved to help us in this most precious charitable cause.

Please remember this project in your prayers

as we go forward with this mission -- I send love to you and your children -- so very far away-- on the other side of the world. 

Love,

Vicki

 

I am so excited to tell you that the Runner and I have accepted Vicki's invitation to help these children.  Does your heart not melt when you see them?

As Vicki states:  "It takes a village." and I am inviting you to join Vicki and me to touch the life of a child.  All that is being asked of you is to donate one $5 Walmart gift card and mail it to:

Josephine's Children

311 West Main Street

Grayson, KY 41143

The gift cards will be mailed to me, and then The Runner and I will go to Walmart and purchase the items the children need for their schooling as well as some of the personal items they so desperately need.

As you can well imagine, shipping costs to Uganda will be very expensive (probably several hundred dollars.)  Vicki is willing to bear this cost herself but if you would like to consider sending just $1 to help, she will be extremely grateful.

In addition, we would like to send crafting supplies.  I have already collected some items from very generous friends and would love more.  If you could just please look through your supplies and share.  The children could use coloring books, crayons, buttons, yarn, stickers, flowers, inks, stamps, paints, scrapbook paper, envelopes for note cards, glue sticks, foam sheets, ribbons, lace, stencils and beads.  You know you have some of these items in your craft space that you haven't touched for years!  No?  You don't want to part with your supplies, would you like to consider buying new?  It's time to share with those less fortunate.  Again, if you wish, you may add a $1 donation for shipping.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA, PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DELIVER OR ARRANGE FOR PICK UP.  There is no need for you to mail these items to Vicki and then have her mail them to me.  Please help put a smile on these faces.

Please join us in this endeavor to send some love across the waters.  Besides the "feel good" part of helping, you will have the opportunity to win some spectacular prizes.  Should you choose to deliver supplies to me, please be assured that your name will be forwarded to Vicki to ensure that you are included in the drawing for the wonderful prizes (check her post to see what YOU could win!)

This opportunity is open to everybody ... it doesn't matter where you live.  If you would like to make a $1 or a $5 donation instead of shipping items or gift cards, you may do so by sending the donation to Vicki's Paypal account (vboster1@windstream.net) ... I highly encourage you to do so.

There are numerous ways to become eligible to win a prize.  I reiterate: visit Vicki's blog.  Also, please spread the word to maximize this effort to help these children.  This project ends on December 1 and we need all the help we can get between now and then.

I spoke with Vicki this evening and she said since August 19, more than $1,800 has come in from her blog readers.  I am hoping that I can touch a few more people - and that means you - that are willing to help.

I ask that you consider sharing this endeavor on your blog or on Facebook.  Social media is a great way to spread the word.

Vicki and I will share the winners on December 1 on our blogs.  Good luck to everyone that has opened their heart to these children.