Update on Shirts and Supplies

Just wanted to share how the shirt sales are going, and what a blessing we are receiving already from your generosity! Many folks have gathered supplies to share with the children at Lesibovu and I am picking them up from a few more friends today. Letters and photos are slowly coming in, which we REALLY need to receive by this weekend, so please send those if you haven't yet. Your sponsored child needs to hear from you, and we can deliver these notes and pictures in person, so this is the best time to send an encouraging word to them!

We have received another 30+ shirt orders today, and are over halfway to our goal of 200 shirts, to provide a shirt for all children, and adult workers at Lesibovu. Some friends have even ordered shirts, but requested we give both of the Buy One, Give One to the children. That is a precious, generous thing. If you have yet to order and intend to, please do so by Saturday, so we can send in our order and have them before we leave on August 4!!

If you have any questions about how to order, or where to send supplies, just check out the previous post with all the details.

Ya'll are such a blessing by your continued support and joining this mission, whether you are able to travel to Swaziland or not. We appreciate you so much! 

Final Week for Collections and T-Shirt Orders

The coming week is a big one! We are wrapping up collections of several important things and also will complete taking t-shirt orders. Three weeks from today is our departure date. We are so excited and have lots to do. We would love your help!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We are taking school supplies to the children of Lesibovu and the discipleship team who teach them the Bible, and hygiene packs to the Gogos who cook and care for the children. If you'd like to contribute, we need pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, Sharpie and EXPO markers, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant. These are due by July 20 - this coming Saturday!

LETTERS, PICTURES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS
- If you are a sponsor of a child at Lesibovu, or just a kind soul who wants to participate, we need your notes and photographs turned in this week! We will begin packing and planning the contents of our bags next week, so please do not delay mailing, or meeting up with us. It is especially important for the children to be able to see that their special friend in America is real, through written words, photos, or even just a colored picture by your kids. These are also due by this coming Saturday. You can give them to any team member or if you're not local, mail to: Marlena Cantrell, 317 Grande View Trail,  Maylene, AL 35114

• For your letters, please put your child's reference number on all items you will be sending. This will help us to easily keep track of everything and ensure your child gets what you send for them! 
  Your child's reference number can be found on their profile card starting with SZ.
• Also, here are the "Letter Writing Dos and Don'ts" from Children's HopeChest. These are good basic guidelines that I personally have found helpful when writing to my child. 

Letter Writing Dos and Don’ts

DO (to benefit your child)

• Tell them about your hobbies, interests, activities, job, school, and family.
• Share your walk with Christ with them.
• Share your dreams for your future.
• Tell them about interesting places your family has visited.
• Include pictures of your family and about your life.

DON’T (to protect your child and yourself)

• Don’t promise anything you can’t keep. This includes mentioning that you’d like to visit “sometime.” To a lonely child this means you are coming in the next few weeks.
• Don’t make any type of suggestion that you may want to adopt them or bring them to the US.
• Don’t share personal communication information (address, email, phone numbers, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc.) for your privacy.
• Don’t share personal financial information with them.

SHIRTS

We are still taking orders for our "Buy One, Give One" t-shirts! Every t-shirt you purchase will provide a t-shirt for a child at Lesibovu and we already have enough ordered for at least 50 of our profiled children to receive one! That is awesome! Thank you!

Again, this is not a fundraiser, but a gift for a child at Lesibovu. The shirts are a great way for us to show our love and support at home, while also giving something back at the same time! Shipping is available for a small charge. One order (two shirts) is $15.  Paypal your size, style and payment to jchandl3@yahoo.com. Go to Paypal.com, log in, click on send money tab, fill in blanks, click on sending to friends and family, put your size/style in "message box". If you are not local to any team member, add $3 for shipping for one shirts, and $1 for each additional. Orders must be received by Saturday, July 20.

FOUR SHIRT OPTIONS

1.  Blue shirts in youth and adult sizes S - XL.  XXL and XXXL an additional $2. Available in standard cut.

Youth sizing for the blue shirts:

         Xs: 2-4

         Sm: 6-8

         Md: 10-12

         Lg: 14-16

  2 and 3. Gray and Coral feminine cut: width slightly tapered and slight scoop neck, ladies sizes S - XL.

 

4. Gray shirt in standard cut available in all adult sizes S - XL.  XXL and XXXL an additional $2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Countdown is On!

We have 30 days until our team leaves for Swaziland! So much has happened in these last few weeks and we need to catch folks up. There have been major ups and downs in this process, and somedays, we have been discouraged, wondering what in the world was coming next. It really is neat to be able to look back and see already the steps we needed to take, trusting even when it didn't make sense, to see God's greater plan for us individually and as a team. We can't wait to share more and would love your prayers that some of us can make time for that amidst many other things we have to do in these next four weeks!

Currently, we are focusing on a few last things to gather before going on the trip. We are done with fundraising events for the most part, and are now just getting items to take to the children and workers at Lesibovu. If you'd like to help, here are a few ways:

- Please write simple notes, cards, photos, and draw pictures for us to take to the children. We have 82 to sponsor at Lesibovu, but anywhere from 200 or more could attend while we are visiting in August. We'd love to give them all a little encouragement from America. *The notes should be simple verses, words of greeting and encouragement, and NOT promises of visiting, or things that could only disappoint them.* Deadline to send these in is July 20 to:  
Marlena Cantrell,  317 Grande View Trail,  Maylene, AL 35114

- We are collecting school supplies for the children at Lesibovu. You can bring these items to any team member. We need: 
small boxes of crayons, pencils, & individual pencil sharpeners.

- We are selling shirts that will be a great way to give a useful gift to a Lesibovu community member, and get one for yourself too! One order = $15, so you get a shirt and give one at the same time! Options are below. You can order and pay via PayPal to jchandl3@yahoo.com. 

• The coral and gray both are available in feminine cut, Adult Small to Large. 
• The gray and blue shirts are available in regular cut in all children's and adult sizes. 
• For XXL and XXXL, add $2 to your order. 
• If you need your shirts shipped, add $3 for the first shirt, and $1 for each additional shirt.
• Deadline to order is July 20.

  

  blue shirt available in all youth and adult sizes to XXXL

this image on gray and coral - women's sizes/feminine cut

 

gray also available in all adult sizes