The senior citizen’s ministry at FBC Richardson sponsored a morning of volunteering at the Buckner’s Humanitarian Aid Distribution Facility.  What was very appealing about the opportunity was the fact that we were encouraged to bring our grandchildren.

Hot Rod was willing to participate and thought well of the idea of being a missionary, and getting a sausage McGriddle for breakfast.  We had to be at the church by 8:30, and then we traveled to Mesquite, Texas to the  Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid.

The Buckner Intrnational training video emphasized how important shoes are to children.  In many countries, a child can not go to school if they do do have shoes.  Thus shoes = an education.  Then there are the sanitation reasons for children and adults to wear shoes.  Diseases abound in the soil and thus a person is so much healthier if they have shoes on their feet.  Each year Buckner’s program, Shoes for Orphan Souls, provides over 300,000 pairs of shoes for needy children and adults all over the world.  In the next couple of years, they plan to increase these numbers to over 500,000 pairs of shoes.

Shoes were banded together, and then sorted into boxes.  The children were wonderful, great, and delightful help.  I got tickled when they were given the big brooms and dusters to sweep the warehouse at the end of the morning.  They loved the power of those big brooms and dusters, and they did a fantastic job!  Everyone wondered why we couldn’t get them to do this at home?

It is not only Baptist that join Buckner International in the humanitarian aid efforts.  A radio station (I think it was in Chicago) had sponsored a shoe drive for children in Romania.  Staples is having a school supply drive for Dallas children, and the list goes on and on.  Buckner International is one of the largest private social care agencies of its kind in the United States.

We were waiting for the pod to be delivered with the shoes collected in Chicago, but it was delayed.  No problem.  There were several pallets of donations also for Romania, and we sorted and boxed these items.

Here are school supplies to be sent to Romania.  Hot Rod helped this pretty lady sort and box these.

Gerald and Tom put the finishing touches on some boxes.

One of my favorite parts of the day was writing notes to be put in the shoes and clothes.  May the ones who receive these gifts know that Jesus loves them.

This beautiful wee thing (I have been reading an Irish novel) made sure our notes were put in the shoes.

While reading the Buckner website, I once again realize that the needs around the world are astounding.  It makes me think that I must do more to help.  We are so blessed, and there is much need.  (Sorry to preach, but I can’t stop crying thinking about needy children.)

This is our group picture.  I think we all felt blessed to be able to volunteer at Buckner International.  I know I did!

Please check out the website to see all the areas of ministry Buckner International supports.  Areas that come to mind are shoes, orphans, foster care, adoptions, the elderly, job training and much, much more!  Maybe you will see something that will speak to you.

Blessings to you and yours,