In December, I shared on my blog about three opportunities for giving during the Christmas season. I have been so blessed to see how God has provided for each of the charities I mentioned, so I want to share that blessing with you now. Here are the updates since I last wrote:
Christy’s Stocking: It was another year of blessed giving to the kids at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The founders of Christy’s Stocking (my friends, the Wells) shared that they delivered stuffed animals, books, and DVD’s in addition to gift cards and cash totaling $2,130.00! As I mentioned previously, Christy’s Stocking was created by her family in memory and honor of Christy, a friend of mine who passed away three years ago. In her thank you letter for giving to Christy’s Stocking, Christy’s mom writes the following: “This has truly become the highlight of my Christmas season. I can’t even begin to tell you how much joy it brings me to deliver this wonderful gift each year. I also can’t begin to thank you enough for your participation in keeping Christy’s spirit alive.” Thanks to all who gave and helped bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to some sick kids in the hospital and to a grieving but giving family.
His Hands Taiwan: His Hands Taiwan continues to hold a dear, dear place in my heart. I am so thankful to those who provided money for the much-needed car seats for the orphanage. I was blessed to be able to use TWO of the new seats when I took care of twins (yikes, being a “single mom” of twins is a whole other story!) during Christmas vacation, and every time I buckled those little sweeties in, I thought about the monetary sacrifice of those who gave. I don’t know if anyone else donated in response to my call to give, but I know that every dollar helps the ministry! His Hands Taiwan could not function were it not for the gracious financial support of those who care about the orphans and unwed mothers of Taiwan, so I ask that you would consider continuing to support this beautiful ministry. His Hands Taiwan adopts babies into Christian homes, so I know that with each diaper I change, each baby I cuddle, and each dollar I give, I am helping to lead these precious children to Christ. If you are interested in being a part of the ministry of His Hands through giving, please visit the His Hands Taiwan website.
One Day’s Wages: Finally, I write about One Day’s Wages, the organization with which Morrison Academy Kaohsiung partnered for our Christmas project this year. I have been absolutely blown away by the outcome of this project! Our goal was to raise $10,000 USD to fund clean water projects at two schools in Cambodia. Instead, we raised over $20,000 USD!! I was so incredibly blessed by the contagious spirit of giving that I witnessed in our students, families, and staff. We had a walk-a-thon during which the students walked around the track carrying water bottles (to give them an idea of what it’s like for kids who have to haul their water from nearby streams or pumps) for pledges. Students sold baked goods donated by parents, they sold candy-grams for Christmas, they hosted a movie time during recess, and they came up with many other creative ways to raise money. It was so encouraging to see our students focused on giving instead of receiving! God was truly glorified by this project, and my prayer now is that the MAK families who are not believers (most of whom gave to the project anyway) would see that this is all about GOD and not about us. One Day’s Wages was so blown away by our giving that they wrote an article about us on their site AND sent us a personal video message from the founder (see the video below). Thanks to any and all who supported this project, and praise be to God!
Blessings to everyone who gave to these charities or to any other ministries this Christmas season. Let’s continue to give throughout the coming year as we remember that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Peace Along the Journey 