All I want for Christmas is shoes and socks....

Every year near christmas when I hear the song "Christmas shoes" by NewSong my eyes mist with tears at the simple gift that a pair of shoes can make.  Living in the village of Uganda, a simple pair of shoes can be a life saving gift.
 

What is on the christmas list for the children in your life?  Toys? A new game system? What if your child just wanted a pair of shoes and socks so they don't have to travel the rocky, mud covered roads in their bare feet to get to school?  Or bust open their toes while playing futbol?
 

I currently have 60 little brown eyed cuties with this one simple request... a pair of shoes and socks for christmas.  But for one of these children to ask their parents for a good pair of shoes that won't fall apart after the first time of being worn, it is more than many of these parents make in a month.  It would mean a sacrifice of food and all the basic needs for the entire family.
 

Hannington and I have worked out a deal with Bata shoes in Kampala to come to the village (2 hours away), measure these little feet, and bring shoes and socks the next day.  This is not only assisting the families and children in the village but also the local businesses.  These shoes are high quality and will be a treasured gift to the children.
 

As much as we would like to do this, we can't do it on our own... we need your help... will you help us put shoes and socks on these little feet?  Will you provide Christmas shoes?
 

$25 will provide one child with shoes and socks
$100 will provide for 4  children
$1500 will provide for all 60 children
$3000 will provide for  all our current children plus the ones starting in February as our enrollment for the new school year will double to 120 children
 

A friend recently sent me a message wishing she could teach her children to be grateful for the simple things of life like the children I was blogging about.  Most American chIldren could care less about clothes or shoes but those are the greatest desires  for these children.  Christmas time is a great time to teach others about giving rather than receiving.   Let this Christmas be a time when the children in your life reach out to a child in need to provide Christmas shoes!
 

One last story that made needing shoes evident in my mind... the P1 class was learning about the local Uganda currency... their highest note is 50, 000 UGX or about $20 US.  One of the older boys was looking at the actual paper note and I asked what he would do with that if it were his... he thought for a moment...then his eyes lit up and he said... I would buy new shoes!
 

Please partner with us by making an online donation at..https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/InTheFieldMinistriesITFM/donate2.html ... put in the comment line "Christmas Shoes".  The goal is to have someone from Bata come to campus on November 26th to measure feet and give the shoes out before the school year ends on November 29th.  We can only do this if these little feet are sponsored for Christmas shoes!