Thanksgiving…
THANKSGIVING? Already?
Where has the year gone?
I apologize for not giving you a recent update on “Operation Cover Up.” I could give you an excuse or even a reason, but the bottom line is I just let time slip away from me. So I ask your forgiveness and will move on with an update.
As winter comes to an end in Zimbabwe we distributed over 5,200 blankets through “Operation Cover Up.” Our goal was to cover up 10,000 children. We did not reach that goal, but we did help a lot of children by providing a warm and colorful blanket to cover them up as they endured one of the hardest winters in recent years. Thanks to everyone who helped with this effort.
We did not run short of children to cover up, we just ran short of funds to purchase blankets. So, we have decided to continue to purchase blankets throughout the year in preparation for next winter. We believe every child should at least have a blanket to keep themselves warm. Don’t you?
We discovered a lot of other needs as we distributed blankets to needy children all over Zimbabwe. Many of the children are living in orphanages and due to the extremely poor economy, years of drought and an out of control government, they have no food nor the money to purchase it. We have been working with Rose of Sharon Children’s Home for several months now to provide the 200 orphans with food. We can meet their monthly budget for food with only $1,100. We believe every child should at least have food to eat. Don’t you?
We also discovered a need in the Zimbabwean prisons for blankets. There are over 20,000 prisoners who have no blanket. They sleep on dirt or concrete floors with no mattress and no cover. The fact is, most of the prisoners are nearly naked because there are no prison uniforms. These people die of exposure by the hundreds because of these conditions. We have been asked to help fund blankets for them. They don’t need a colorful soft blanket, just a blanket that can be purchased for $5. We believe every person should have a blanket to sleep on even if they have no bed. Don’t you?
Now on to Vietnam.
As many of you know, a typhoon recently hit this nation and brought unimaginable destruction. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes and all of their belongings as a result of the storm and the historical flooding that followed. We have been working to supply the basic needs of these people and help them to rebuild their homes and lives for the past month. We will continue to help as we have funds available until those affected have at least the basic needs to continue life. It doesn’t take much to help these incredible people…just a little cooking oil, rice and fish to eat, clean water to drink and a blanket or a bamboo mat to sleep on can give an entire family hope for their future. We believe a child can be encouraged for even less – by just give them a writing tablet so that they can go to school! Don’t you?
We have continued to provide life saving heart surgeries each month as well as orthopedic and eye surgeries. Houses are still being built as funds are available so that families can live together with a roof over their heads. We believe that every family should have food and shelter. We believe that providing life saving surgeries are worth the effort and the money. Don’t you?
Listen, I know that life for all of us has its challenges and that at this time in the USA we are all trying to keep our heads above water. We, like many of you, have seen our business decline dramatically this past year. We, like many, have been involved in personal and family situations that have caused us to re-evaluate our own life purposes and goals. But, I know for sure that we have it better than anyone that has been referred to in the previous paragraphs of this letter. We still have hope and we still have faith and we can make a difference in someone else’s life.
When we are going through tough times it is very easy to focus on our own needs and desires but allow me to challenge you to put your focus on the needs of someone else that has no hope.
I believe that as we focus on helping to meet the needs of others through a heart of compassion that our God will meet all of our needs.
We are committed to continue to help continue to provide food, blankets, shelter and life saving surgeries to the children of Zimbabwe and Vietnam – no matter what the cost!
We believe that we can help people who can’t help themselves. Don’t you?
Will you help us to help others?
We are approaching the official Thanksgiving season and, regardless of our situations, I believe we all have much to be thankful for at this time. Help us to give those who have nothing – something to be thankful for this year.
May God richly bless you this Thanksgiving season with a heart of compassion.
Blessings,
Bruce & Camella
