August 8, 2010
Erik:
The K2 Church is organizing another shipping container to be sent with Kids Against Hunger kits like they have done in the past. They were planning on filling a 20 foot container with these food packets, which are used for most of the community feedings as well as so many other amazing uses for good. So Jeff Long challenged me and our friends and fellow church members to see if we could pull together enough goods for a 40 foot container (he would secure the funds for the larger shipment).
So here’s your chance to help out and really make a difference. Since I have already accepted the challenge and made a commitment let me say that I really, really appreciate your support and taking the time to help fill the larger shipping container – 8 pallets, 8 feet high – with goods and food that can be used to bless the lives of the people of the Philippines.
So we are asking for your help in filling boxes or just bringing items from your home (or the store if you are so inclined) that can be shipped to the Philippines. All items must be received in my garage by Saturday, August 21, 2010 so they can be counted, weighed and inventoried for Customs. So here are some of the items that are needed:
Items specifically requested by Malaybalay Children’s Home:
(1) Children’s clothing, shoes (black for school), undershirts, underwear, summer clothes (they have no use for jackets and other winter clothes)
(2) Oatmeal – Missy said the instant oatmeal would be best. The kids eat rice every morning (lunch and dinner also by the way) and Belen said it would be so nice to be able to feed them oatmeal because it is nutritious and it satisfies for a long time
(3) Tooth brushes, toothe paste, soap, shampoo and other personal hygiene items – these are just so expensive compared to what they have to live on or the budgets they have to operate the home on
(4) Back packs for school, and any other school supplies
(5) Sports Equipment – like basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, jump ropes, etc. – oh bikes…the children love bicycles but theirs are all broken
(6) Medical Supplies – Band-aids, children’s medicines, creams, sanitizers, etc.
(7) Baby Supplies – diapers, baby formula, wet wipes, etc.
(8) Double Stroller – this would be so helpful (especially if it has the large knobby wheels) because then they could take multiple infants for walks around the property
(9) Wheel Chair – Missy told me that there is a large (obese) man who Grace knows who needs a wheel chair (he could use some large clothes as well).
Other random items that would be very helpful are things such as plastic containers with lids for water. Even small (or large) water coolers are helpful in many cases. They can always use plastic cups, plates, bowls, spoons, and forks for the Saturday feedings or just for the poor communities. Blankets and towels are also very useful. If you donate toys please make sure they are indestructible toys without batteries – they will break anything breakable in a very short period of time because they have not been taught how to take care of toys and things. Also, toys with lots of parts (like a puzzle, legos or board games) are not ideal toys.
If you are going to donate food items (like from your food storage) here are a few things to consider. Most of their foods are simple to prepare items like oatmeal, rice, beans, pasta, sauces, etc. Other items that require mixers, grinders, or similar devices to prepare can still be used but are more challenging. I imagine that the needs in Manilla are different than in Malaybalay so if you have wheat to donate don’t hesitate because it can be used in different ways including for feeding their chickens or other animals. From what I’ve seen they don’t eat many things from cans (like chili or Campbell’s soup) but I don’t think the starving would turn them away. Like I said there are different needs in Manilla and I’m sure they will know how best to use those kinds of items.
Don’t be afraid to pass along old clothing and similar items. There are many poor communities that would be so very grateful to have these items. For example, the jail community just near the Malaybalay children’s home would be so grateful. Many of the inmates there have only one pair of clothes to wear every single day. They could use soaps, toothbrushes, any personal items like bowls and wash clothes. The needs are endless and you can know that these items will be delivered with a message the God loves them and wants them to know that. Many of them are converted to Christ because of your kindness….they are so surprised and glad that someone half-way around the world would care about them.
So we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and willingness to not only put together a box or two but to spread the word to your neighbors, employers, families, and friends. Let’s pull off a miracle and today let’s be God’s wind (that’s from The Other Side of Heaven)!
