AUGUST 28TH EMOTIONAL MOMENTS SEEING CHILDREN RECEIVE THEIR BLANKETS, BIBLES, CANDY AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES

I continue to get messages from the team and pictures, also messages from staff in Africa. This facebook is amazing. I wish I was more savy about knowing how to send out groupings of pictures.

Today, I want to concentrate on memorable moments from the mission trip.  As I said before, the children receiving their blankets was a real emotional experience for me since I raised most of the money to get them.  This was a new addition to camp hope to give out blankets and one I definitely want to keep happening.  Again, a huge thank you to all of you.  As you know from my letter, I am continuing to fundraise for these blankets because the staff has asked me to since there was such an amazing response for the need as the children in the winter are so cold at night.  These last two pictures show the company we purchased the blankets from in Livingston, Zambia. We met with the owner and he gave us a better deal if we buy in large quantities - now only $3.50 a blanket for 500 to 1,000 so I must get busy and know they will be going directly to these children for next years camps.  Notice how these children have learned from older women how to carry things on their heads. We saw it on the roads alot.

Also, the children were over joyed to each receive their very own bible. During their one on ones with Emmanuel and I, we shared that they would be receiving them - we wrote their names in them and along with it I stuck in a special letter from me sharing what attributes I saw in them and a bible verse for them that I thought was applicable to their little life.  We made sure there was someone in their house that could read English to them and I will ask Emmanuel to make sure that no one takes the bible from them. They also took home bags of candy, medical supplies, and all their crafts that they made for the week. It was a joyous time for all, and then they all sang songs together after each day but the last day was overwhelming for us and very difficult to say until we meet again - never goodbye..