Big thanks to our recent auction winners! Tara Murphy won the bath and body set, and Joy Liveoak won the scrapbook set. Also, we appreciate Phylis Otwell for donating both items.
More dresses have come in this week, thanks to a former missionary at our church. I can't wait to display and photo these amazing works of art! These are going to be some adorably dressed little girls!!
Another friend donated basic hygiene and first aid supplies. This will be a great help to the McAdams and Clyburns and the discipleship team in Manzini. Thank you!
A few items we are in need of, for those of you who have inquired about how you can contribute materially:
- space bags for packing dresses so that they take as little space in our suitcases as possible
- flexible, soft shoes for the McAdams foster daughter, who has cerebral palsy. She cannot walk, but since it is winter there, she needs shoes to keep socks on and her feet warm. If you have any Robeez or MiniStar type shoes that are very flexible and stretchy, in sizes 18 months or larger, we would be so glad to take these to sweet Mukelo.
- these are items the missionaries cannot get in Swaziland, which would be BIG treats for them:
decaf family size tea bags marshmallows, graham crackers, muffin/cake mixes, most anything Mexican (salsa, rotel, green chilis, jalapenos, corn tortillas), chocolate chips, 3x5 index cards
- funds specifically designated to purchase items in Swaziland for the care point children. We can buy things less expensively there, and shopping locally really benefits their economy. That also helps cut down on baggage restrictions. Money is much ssimpler to transport than actual shoes and clothing. :-) If you would like to designate a gift from your family, for needed items like underclothes, socks, and shoes, or for special treats for them (fresh fruit, for example), please just mark your donation so in the memo line. That money will go directly to the children we are visiting. You can still mail checks to us at church, so that you will receive a tax-deductible donation. The info is below.
We need all donations and money by May 5th, please. We continue to be so grateful for your prayers and support, and are humbled by your kindness and generosity.
Checks may be mailed to:
The Church at Shelby Crossings
532 George Roy Parkway
Calera AL 35040
memo: Swaziland - Allison and Jennifer OR Swazi carepoint children
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Three weeks left
It is hard to believe that we are at the three week countdown point! On the afternoon of Mother's Day, Alli and I will be flying out of Birmingham, on our way to Johannesburg, South Africa. We can hardly wait and are so grateful the time is approaching quickly.
Here are a few updates:
We have now received even more amazing dresses to deliver to the team in Swaziland. One friend's church took up money and bought 40 dresses, and are also contributing money to help us with extra baggage expense if that is needed. We are very encouraged and touched at the ministry to us and our friends, by people we don't even know!
We continue to receive financial support and are blessed that many have been generous to aid us in getting to Africa, and are donating so that we may bless the missionaries' families, and also the economy of Swaziland, by purchasing needed items in country, which further stimulates their economy.
Quick story for your entertainment and the sheer cute factor:
My four year old, Elijah, has been lamenting the fact that he doesn't really have any money to contribute toward my trip. He will say at bedtime frequently, that he's sad, because he wants to give me "money for Africa." Today, while I was gone, James texted me to say that Elijah was excited since he'd found some change on the bathroom counter and was going to give it to me. Sure enough, as soon as I got home, I was instructed to close my eyes while he held his little hand out, and then told me to look. He was so very proud of that $.11 he found, and told me, "Look Mom! It's for your Africa trip!!" Whew, I was just blown away at his joy and enthusiasm and desire to help me.
Many of you have given amounts of varying size, and they are all appreciated. Every bit goes to minister to a people in need, and we are tremendously grateful. Unless you have been in the position to raise support like this (I never have before), you cannot imagine how humbling and truly dependent on God it will make you, and also, how touching it is to have dear friends, and complete strangers, give you money. There are no words to describe how loved and encouraged we feel by each of you, who have prayed, emailed, and given items or money toward this venture. THANK YOU.
A couple of reminders and new info too! Up for auction next are these two items donated by friends. You may bid below in the comments. We will take bids until midnight Monday night!
First auction item is this gift basket with nice bath and body products. This would make a great Mother's Day gift! It's from World Market and contains a sisal sponge, wooden massager, and nail brush with pumice stone, Sicilian Orange cream body wash, bar soap and bath salts in a cute basket.
The next item is this great photo scrapbook and it is new with tags. The set contains over 125 stickers, 10 pages, and comes with 12 8" x 8" coordinating papers.
The bid on this set is at $15.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Updates
We just wanted to update you on how fundraising is going. We have continued to receive more help from friends toward our trip. We are so grateful and blessed! There are a few new items for auction that you may bid on. Feel free to share this information with anyone you like.We leave Mother's Day afternoon, May 13, so one month from tomorrow!
Thank you so much to Krissy Cain, who gave a percentage of Easter cupcake sales and also for the donation of the Easter dress that was auctioned. Janice Venable was the winner of the dress. Thank you too!
A generous store owner donated over a hundred pair of new or gently used shoes! We will take some with us, and sell the others and give the money to the Swaziland team.
DRESSES!
We are collecting handmade dresses for the girls at the care points, and have several dozen already. They're so wonderfully made and will be great blessings to these children. Someone had the idea to collect something for the boys, and the McAdams suggested soccer shorts or gently used kids' sports uniforms as helpful donations for them, so we will gladly take those as well.
Financial support is continuing to come in as well, and we are each about 2/3 to our goal. Many of you have donated already, and we are truly grateful and humbled. I am making and selling more painted plaques and necklaces, and Alli has done multiple photo shoots, so God continues to provide for us through these avenues also.
SILHOUETTES
Our dear friend LaShea Wood is making these lovely silhouettes. You can order silhouette prints or jewelry with silhouettes included. She is donating a portion of her sales to our trip as well. You can find her on facebook or check out her page "Cherished Silhouettes" on Facebook as well. They are just beautiful!
NEW ITEMS!
Up for auction next are these two items donated by friends. You may bid below in the comments. We will take bids until April 22, so you have 10 days! We would like to start bids at $7.50 each.
First auction item is this gift basket with nice bath and body products. This would make a great Mother's Day gift! It's from World Market and contains a sisal sponge, wooden massager, and nail brush with pumice stone, Sicilian Orange cream body wash, bar soap and bath salts in a cute basket.
The next item is this great photo scrapbook and it is new with tags. The set contains over 125 stickers, 10 pages, and comes with 12 8" x 8" coordinating papers.
Thank you so much to Krissy Cain, who gave a percentage of Easter cupcake sales and also for the donation of the Easter dress that was auctioned. Janice Venable was the winner of the dress. Thank you too!
A generous store owner donated over a hundred pair of new or gently used shoes! We will take some with us, and sell the others and give the money to the Swaziland team.
DRESSES!
 |
| dresses by Virginia Opper |
 | |
| dresses by Lindsey Murphy |
 | |
| Sweet Morgan made and sold scarves and split her profit with us! |
We are collecting handmade dresses for the girls at the care points, and have several dozen already. They're so wonderfully made and will be great blessings to these children. Someone had the idea to collect something for the boys, and the McAdams suggested soccer shorts or gently used kids' sports uniforms as helpful donations for them, so we will gladly take those as well.
Financial support is continuing to come in as well, and we are each about 2/3 to our goal. Many of you have donated already, and we are truly grateful and humbled. I am making and selling more painted plaques and necklaces, and Alli has done multiple photo shoots, so God continues to provide for us through these avenues also.
SILHOUETTES
Our dear friend LaShea Wood is making these lovely silhouettes. You can order silhouette prints or jewelry with silhouettes included. She is donating a portion of her sales to our trip as well. You can find her on facebook or check out her page "Cherished Silhouettes" on Facebook as well. They are just beautiful!
NEW ITEMS!
Up for auction next are these two items donated by friends. You may bid below in the comments. We will take bids until April 22, so you have 10 days! We would like to start bids at $7.50 each.
First auction item is this gift basket with nice bath and body products. This would make a great Mother's Day gift! It's from World Market and contains a sisal sponge, wooden massager, and nail brush with pumice stone, Sicilian Orange cream body wash, bar soap and bath salts in a cute basket.
The next item is this great photo scrapbook and it is new with tags. The set contains over 125 stickers, 10 pages, and comes with 12 8" x 8" coordinating papers.
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