Something to think about...

Edwardsville

United Methodist Church

I was asked by Mark to add a page to our church's website to share about 'stuff'. Things that I am passionate about, things that might make you think.

Unfortunately right now I have all these wonderful ideas running through my head that I cannot manage to grasp one and pull it out and run with it, or should I say write about it.

I may not have anything profound to say, it may be of no matter to some and to some it may really matter. I may not say it eloquently. It may not be intresting reading. It may not move anyone to action. It probably wont be in proper grammatical form. It might get a little controversial and it could possibly bore you to tears.

But hopefully, it may just give you something to think about...

Wanted...
Your gently used soles!

Monica Konermann and Hannah Hamilton have decided that their project for Mercy Academy Senior Service is to collect gently used shoes.

The children in Ukraine are placed in orphanages due to extreme neglect, abuse and abandonment from their parents. These orphans have either lost their parents, or been abused or abandoned by their parents.

Orphanages are a good way to get the kids off the streets in Ukraine, but these children 'graduate' at the age of 16. As soon as they leave the orphanage, the stats are stacked against them. 60% of the girls will become prostitutes, 70% of boys will enter a life of crime and 10% of orphans will commit suicide by the age of 18. The orphans that are turned out at 16 live in sewers as homeless teenagers who become adults that lack the education they need to succeed in life. All of these problems result from child neglect and abuse. This problem that seems so different here in the U.S., is magnified for children in less fortunate countries.

Monica and Hannah have dedicated themselves to this problem and they have taken a leap. They feel very strongly about these children of Ukraine who are suffering in these orphanages and those living in awful conditions on the streets. In order for them to make a difference in the lives of those children, they are sending them gently used shoes to wear in place of baggies, torn socks, and sometimes nothing. They are determined to help these kids, and sending shoes is the least that they can do.

The above information was taken from their pamphlet.

If you find yourself willing and hoping to part with your gently used soles, let me know and I'll give you more information or if you want to check out their service blog you can do so at http://brickfish.com/giveMEyourSOLES

They are partnering with Hopeful Hearts http://www.hopefulheartsfoundation.org/
(this is how we found our son, Kole). If you have a few minutes I highly recommend you browse their site. You can even find Tad, Kole and myself in one of the videos, while we were in Ukraine in December of 2006.

As a side note: Please plan on hearing more about our adoption journey and if you have ever thought about adoption, please ask us about it. There is not a night that goes by that I don't think about all of those children who we left behind. We made the difference in one life, can you imagine what a difference you can make in so many more?