A Child's Heart

Don't you just LOVE kids!
I mean seriously...
Sometimes they just PUT US IN OUR PLACE!

We learned to Stand Strong no matter what the world throws at you -
a GREAT lesson for kids and adults!!

This week was our Vacation Bible School week.  As you may (or may not) know, the ladies of 29:11 Inc. are Children's Ministry junkies so the weeks surrounding VBS are extremely busy for us.  With that being said, Praise the Lord things went well.





We take up coin offerings each day of VBS and all of the money goes to feeding children in orphanages we currently have connections with in Africa & Haiti.

It seems like each year we have children who are willing to sacrifice - I mean truly make a sacrifice - for kids who they have never met.  We have kids who give each year but there is always that one kid whose story sticks with you.



This year, that special child was Ava (red shirt, sparkly purse)
Isn't she cute?!?


Ava wanted to make a difference to children in other countries.  In her words she wanted to make "just one kid in Africa or Haiti smile."

She emptied out her entire bank and put it all in her purse to give in our offering. Ava may not have given the most money this week, but she definitely sacrificed.

She even asked to "give a speech" to the kids and parents at VBS.

Ava said that she wished she had a big big room, filled with all the money in the world.  She said if she had all that money she would give it away to make just ONE kid in Africa or Haiti or other countries like that smile.

Ava gets it.
She really gets it.

Sometimes I wonder even as adults, even as people who have started a non-profit to help orphans and homeless children around the world, even as people who work and volunteer in ministries, even as followers of Christ - do we get it?

Are we willing to give all that we have for just one smile?

Lord, give us a heart that is truly willing to  give up everything we have to follow you.  Don't let us be like the rich man in Matthew 19, who couldn't part with his possessions.  Use all that we have to further Your kingdom.

Jeremiah 29:11
 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Kings & Queens

Have you heard this song?

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It puts so much into perspective.  What makes our children:

...different than these children?

The short answer is where they were born.  At 29:11 Inc. we don't believe that where you live should determine if you live.

This song is amazing & thought provoking.  It starts off with this:  

"Little hands, shoe-less feet, lonely eyes looking back at me 

Will we leave behind the innocent too brief

On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun

These could be our daughters and our sons

And just like a drum i can hear their hearts beating

I know my God won't let them be defeated

Every child has a dream to belong and be loved"

So many children around the world are alone, hungry and without basic necessities.  We want to help change that.  We are hoping that others will be inspired by our vision and will help us meet the needs of these children.  

This is what we hope will happen to all the children around the world we are able to serve... 

"Boys become kings, girls will be queens

Wrapped in Your majesty

When we love, when we love the least of these.

Then they will be brave and free 

Shout your name in victory

When we love, when we love the least of these

When we love the least of these.

...and this is our prayer.

"Break our hearts once again

Help us to remember when 

We were only children hoping for a friend"

Don't you love it when music inspires and encourages you?  I hope this song encourages you to prayerfully seek where the Lord would have you support & serve!

"Won't you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten 

Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open"

"If not us who will be like Jesus

To the least of these.

If not us tell me who will be like Jesus

Like Jesus to the least of these."

Hope & a Future

Jeremiah 29:11
 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."