Treasure

One week after my husband and I entrusted our son with our low mileage, well maintained, scratch free car, he side- swiped a mailbox. Hit exactly the right way, it’s amazing how much damage a little mailbox can cause. I can think of several other valued possessions that have fallen victim to a wild throw from a ball, an overzealous dog, and the normal wear and tear of life. One thing is certain, no matter how careful we are to protect our earthly treasures, they will eventually fade away.

One of my favorite treasures is a patchwork quilt that once belonged to my grandmother. It’s tattered and torn, and holds no monetary value. However, when I use the quilt, I am flooded with priceless memories of my childhood and of my grandmother. Do you have a priceless treasure like this? On our recent trip to Ethiopia, the Soles Team handed out hundreds of Christmas cards to the people of Dahley. The people were delighted when they opened the colorful and festive cards. Some had tears in their eyes as they clung tightly to their new treasures. It brings such joy to our hearts to know that across the world there are brightly colored Christmas cards hanging in little mud huts. Our prayer is that when the people look at the cards that they are reminded that Jesus loves them and that we love them!

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus reminds us to store up treasures in heaven, where our treasure will never be destroyed. Your support of Soles for Jesus is doing just that. You are helping to change lives and transform hearts. There is nothing on this side of heaven that compares to the priceless treasure of making a difference in the life of another. Thank you!

Lisa Riley

19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust can destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

More Than Shoes

February 2, 2011

Selam!

The Soles Team in partnership with Life Church (Germantown, WI), has recently returned from
another amazing trip to Ethiopia. Ten woman led by Diane Studer were called to minister to the
people of Addis Ababa and the surrounding countryside, including the communities of Korah and
Dahley. If you look on a map of Ethiopia, you are sure to find the capital city of Addis Ababa.
What you won’t find, however, are all of the villages that dot the landscape around Addis. The
people who live in these communities are among the poorest in the world. Bringing shoes to the
these impoverished areas was the joy of a lifetime. Thanks to your continued support of Soles, we
were able to bless hundreds with the gift of shoes. There are no words to adequately describe the
gratitude that poured from the hearts of these precious people as they walked, jumped and danced
among us in their new shoes.

Our Visit to Korah

Korah is one of the most impoverished communities in Ethiopia. There are approximately 80,000
people, living in shacks made of corrugated metal, plastic, and left over lumber. Most of the shacks,
shared by multiple families, are no larger than a small bedroom. The people of Korah have long
been considered outcasts within their society, as many suffer from leprosy, HIV/AIDs and other
illnesses. Our team felt extremely blessed to be able to bring shoes to the neediest of people in this
community. As we planned for our trip to Korah, God prepared our hearts to do more than bring
shoes. He prepared us to love the unloved and bring hope to the hopeless. He prepared us to
humble ourselves before the people and wash their feet, and He prepared us to see with His eyes
and love with His heart. Our connection with the people of Korah was amazing. Although we did
not share the same language, or the same cultural background, we communicated through the
universal language of love. The people of Korah will forever hold a special place in each of our
hearts.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:9-10

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever?

I want to post a question that has been floating around in my head for a few days.  Have you ever wonder what difference, if any you are making?  Knowing that, I would like to believe, all of us want to leave the world a better place today than it was yesterday.  But wondering just how one small person like you or me could ever really have an impact, sometimes makes us stop or hesitate from doing anything at all.

My challenge to you is to stop that negative thinking and join a movement.  A movement of shoes.  You may be asking, “What can my one pair of shoes really do?”  Well, those shoes can make a world of difference in a child. Those shoes could prevent illnesses, foot disorders and on a positive note, add to the childs self-esteem.  That child will never forget the beautiful shoes that are placed on their feet.

In the Bible one of my favorite verses is Isaiah 52:7: How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”   Join with SJF in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Ethiopia.  Your one pair of shoes can and will make a HUGE difference.

Won’t you join us?

Fire Safety Fair in Germantown!

Join SFJ and the Germantown Fire Department for the annual Fire Safety Fair.  Saturday, October 2 from 10:30 to 3:30 at Fire Station #2.  Donate a pair of new or gently worn shoes and receive a FREE first aid kit.  Come out and support SFJ and the Germantown Fire Department.   Hope to see you there!

Family Christian Stores

Family Christian Stores HQ’s had a drive and in their words received just a few shoes.  Well, when the photo came it was a van load full of them!  Did I mention, those are all new shoes!!  God is so good!

It doesn’t matter the amount of shoes you donate but that join with us in believing that we can change lives, two by two!

Oops!

When it is summer time I tend to live a bit easier.  The schedule is more relaxed.  My calendar can become dusty.  Well, due to my forgetfulness, I missed a very important meeting!  SFJ was to have a Board meeting this week on Tuesday and I was to give the devotion.  I was super excited because I felt that God had given me a word for the group.  Not sure really why He gave me the scripture He did, but throughout the weekend God kept giving me clues as to why.

It was Wednesday, August 18 and Ava (my youngest) and I were doing Bible study for her. The scripture she picked was Philippians 4:4-6.  We read and talked about the scripture and while Ava was talking about it.  God was nudging me and saying share this at the SFJ Board meeting.

After Ava and I finished her study, I did my own study.  Reading and praying, praying and reading.  Feeling more and more like I needed to share on Tuesday.  Well, since I forgot the meeting and didn’t get to share, let me share Philippians 4:4-6 with you in the Message version:

Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean, revel in him!  Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.  Help them see that the Master is about to arrive.  He could show up any minute?  Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

See, on Thursday, August 19th, SFJ sent the first ocean freight container of shoes (over 5,000 pairs) to Ethiopia.  It was a victory and wonderous moment!   The dynamic vision and dream God had placed on Diane Studer’s heart in Ethiopia was coming true.

Now, I tell you just how deeply Satan does not want those shoes to arrive in Ethiopia.  Just 30 minutes after the shoes left the warehouse, Diane got a call saying the laws have changed and the shoes may have trouble arriving in the country.  Talk about a roller coaster of emotions!  Satan was trying to keep Diane from allowing those shoes to be shipped!  But Diane prayed and God gave her peace to move ahead!   Those shoes are still on there way to Ethiopia!

Please join with the SFJ team and give those shoes and the safe delivery of them in Ethiopia to Him!  We will keep you updated with the journey of the shoes!

Blessings to you all!

Shopping and Supporting!

Did you know that you can financially support Soles for Jesus while shopping?/! If you are an online shopper, please consider trying this link:

http://sfj.parishfunding.com

It is safe and has tons of stores that we all use on a regular basis. We have tried it and it works great! Let SFJ know what you think!

Diane Live on TMJ4!

Be sure to tune in Sunday, July 18 @ 8:20am to see Diane on the TMJ4 morning show.  Diane will be on with Ryan, owner of Footprints, to promote the partnership of SJF and Footprints.  Footprints is gathering shoes in July for SFJ, Ryan’s goal is 10,000 pairs!

Footprints is located at:

2728 Heritage Dr.

Delafiled, WI 53018

262.646.2267

footprints4you.com

Go check out Footprints and tell them you support SFJ!!!

Wanna help beyond shoes?/!

As I was planning for this blog I had a revelation.  Maybe people think the only way they can help SFJ is by donating shoes…that is not the only way!  A true friend of SFJ, Odetta Jeffries, is going beyond the shoe drive.  Odetta is planning a Rummage Sale on Saturday, July 24 with all proceeds going to SFJ.

You may be asking the question why, the reason is to raise support to SHIP those glorious shoes to Ethiopia!  It takes some pretty sweet cash to ship the shoes half way around the world.   SFJ has ministries waiting on that first shipment of shoes to come to them. Men, women and children all in need of shoes that will change their lives.

So, if you are all shoed out and still wanna help this great organization.  Starting thinking of a way  you may be able to help raise support to ship shoes.  Remember we are changing lives – two by two.

St. Agnes School

Below is an excerpt from an email SFJ got from a school in the Milwaukee area that hosted a shoe drive!

My name is Amy, myself along with Dawn, ran the Soles for Jesus Shoe Drive during our last day of school mass at St. Agnes School. It was FANTASTIC! The kids were so excited and really into it! Certainly it helped that every student that brought shoes was able to wear sandels, crocs or flip-flops to school that day. We have a dress code that allows for none of the above – so it was a huge treat! Anyway I have included a picture of the 7th graders holding the shoe baskets that will be heading to your warehouse hopefully today.

Way to go St. Agnes School!  SFJ truly loves all the help with shoes!

Would you like your school to donate shoes?  Contact Jen Miller, jmiller@solesforjesus.org to schedule a shoe drive for the 2010/2011 school year.