On Saturday afternoon, we loaded up the car and made the one-hour trek to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for our annual school shopping trip. We had spent the morning going through our kids’ closets and taking stock of the things we needed to buy for the upcoming school year. Both the boys needed new shoes (boys are so hard on shoes), backpacks (ditto the shoes comment), and jeans (holes in the knees, anyone?). By the end of the day we had a car full of purchases including everything on our list, plus a couple of extra items that we simply couldn’t live without (a new pair of pajamas and a shirt with USA on the back in honor of the Olympics).

I won’t lie. It was a chaotic day. But what a joy to be able to provide for our children in this way! We capped off the fun with a fantastic supper out that included great conversation and even ice cream for dessert. As we drove home, I was torn between gratitude for all we have been given, and the conviction that not everyone gets to experience the sort of special day we enjoyed. Both locally and internationally, many families and children struggle to make ends meet, and the back- to-school rush only exacerbates the problem.

This year, we have a unique opportunity at One Body One Hope. As the children at the Abide in the Vine school system gear up for a new year of learning, we get to go school shopping with them! We may not be able to escort them through the market in Monrovia, but our gifts will enable them to start school off on the right foot. Your one-time gift of $40 will provide a uniform, new shoes, books, and school supplies for one of the children at the orphanage. Get your family and friends involved! Talk about it with your children as you take them school shopping, share the need with your children’s new teachers, and raise awareness in your community and beyond.

If you would like to provide back-to-school supplies for one of the kids at Christ Our Hope, you can send your donation to:

One Body One Hope
c/o The Baarts
589 13th St. Cir. SE
Sioux Center, Iowa
51250

Or, if you know an OBOH board member, simply give them your check. Finally, if you prefer to pay online, you can give a donation on our Facebook page. Just click the link, and leave us a note earmarking the $40 for school supplies. THANK YOU!

We are blessed to be a blessing!