Our boys were busy-bee readers this week. We're extremely proud of them.
Raising money for Teach Haiti while reading books gave us several opportunities to remind our kids that they can make a difference. Our kids see poverty every day in Haiti. They smell it, touch it, walk past it, and yet they often admit to feeling helpless. In so many ways we each feel what they feel. But for them, in some ways, because of their age they don't have as much power or as many resources to feel like they can make a difference.
At one point during the read-a-thon Ashton said something like, "When I'm reading, it's like I have a job." Yes. That one remark opened up a window of discussion with them. "Imagine how different a child's life will be next year because of how hard you've worked this week reading and advocating for kids who have no voice and no power. They will go to school every day. They will be safe and in the care of adults who love them. They will eat every day. A new world will be open to them through reading and education. God is using you to be a voice for the voiceless. In that way you are living out the gospel. You are living out the good news. You are using the gifts you have been given...your voice...your ability to read...your education to be a blessing to those who do not have a voice or any way on their own to learn about this world God created." Lots of talk this week about money, why we have it, why we earn it, and how that applies to loving our neighbor, storing up treasure in heaven, and living for eternity. Great discussions with our kids (and I had to admit, as a grown up, I need those reminders as often as possible).
We'll get the totals for how much they read next week. Every day they turned in their reading logs at school.
Once we know the totals, we'll report back with them here and give step-by-step instructions about how to pay up for the pledges so many of you made.
Thank you for giving to Teach Haiti. And can this mama say thank you for inspiring our kids and giving us so many opportunities to speak truth to our boys because of this read-a-thon? We can't thank you enough for being a part of the truths God engraved on their souls. I could never put a price on the lessons learned during this read-a-thon about speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves and seeing our lives as sweet, gracious gifts that in return can be given away over and over to care for people who were created in the image of God. Invaluable. Too valuable. The treasure kind of valuable. Thank you.
DID YOU PLEDGE $350?
If you sponsored the full price for a child to go to school next year could you do a couple things for us?
1. Send us your full name and address.
2. If you have children, include their ages/grades in the email.
Contact us at hendrickcrew@gmail.com.
You will receive a picture of the child you are sponsoring to go to school next year. Miquette (founder of Teach Haiti) will connect your family to a child who is around the age of your children (if applicable).
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