Shoes for Guatemalans
To my young mind, there was no doubt about it. Christmas was all about getting — as much as I could. A funny thing happened, that toy that looked like so much fun on the commercial… well , you know…
Helping One Voice divide up fruits and vegetables into bags for their Christmas baskets.
Something happened in the intervening years. I discovered the joy of giving. Disneyland was fun because it was fun to see my kids have fun. I gave even my life to the mission field — 16 years in Guatemala.
I just sent down a bunch of shoes. Poverty is such that shoes are among the hardest thing to come by for the natives (who work in our school and get paid a pittance because it is semi-self-supporting). My daughter is expert at firing through size, sex and price so that it didn’t become an hours-long ordeal.
My daughter played in the Scrooge drama put on by the Lighthouse Church in Santa Monica
Giving is more satisfying that getting. Try it this year. Instead of begrudging the lack of Christmas presents, volunteer at a food distribution center. We helped One Voice in Santa Monica prepare food baskets.
Jenny, at right, with my daughter. She’s so shy that she doesn’t smile in front of the camera.
I just got off the phone with Pastor Ludving in Guatemala. His daughter, Jenny, has some problem with her eyes, but he stopped treating it with the doctor because of lack of money. All donations in December and January through my Donate option (PayPal) will go to her.
Mustard Seed Budget 
As usual, awesome!! Also, thanks again for your support on my end too. Merry Christmas!!!
Giving really is the best Christmas I have ever known. I love to see the smiles when I give something very much needed.
and there are people who really need in this world! I find it much more rewarding to give to them.
The true spirit of Christmas. Thank you for sharing with these people. I had the opportunity to go to San Salvador after an earthquake in 1986 (I’m a nurse) and I truly felt that those people gave more than I ever could…their faith and courage were so overwhelming in the face of so much adversity. God bless you and your ministry.
So true! I would always be given the best portion when invited to eat. I felt bad but I couldn’t refuse their hospitality Or they would be offended.
Good for you. Our donation is volunteering for Habitat. Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Praise God for your labors at Habitat! So much good can be done on this earth if we would just use some of the time we have!
Thank you for sharing Pastor Ashcraft. The wonderful thing about Christmas is that it is a season for remember others, for sharing and giving. I joined Lions Club International because of the great work they do especially in the area of vision and sight. I am sure there is a club close by that could help out. Will definitely check. Hope you had fun shopping for shoes. I for one do not like shoe shopping.
Hahahaha! That’s why I was so happy my daughetr went to shorten the ordeal by crunching size, sex and price. I do not like shopping because it takes me too long alone to figure it all out. Yours, Mike
I agree with, you giving is so wonderful and even if you have no money to spend to buy things there are plenty of priceless things to give like care, happiness, hugs, volunteering etc.
Earthly treasures get broken, get stolen, or get fought over at the time of inheritance. Only the treasure of memories of good done live forever! Merry Christmas!