Honduran Shoe Shopping

 An experience not to be forgotten... if you ask the girls what their favorite moments of our trip were, this ranks up at the top.  This moment was months in the making.  Anna's heart was moved on last year's trip to do something on her own to raise money for Bread.  Soon after coming home last year she decided that she could use her sewing talent (mom brag - she's really good for a 10 year old!) to make items to sell...  and she took her job very seriously!  Soon she recruited her neighbor/friend Abby to sew as well & they made a huge pile of doll pillows, kleenex cozies, hot packs, & more.  My sweet friend Kelly allowed them to set up a booth at her holiday open house & their "Hope for Honduras" hand & machine sewn treasures raised over $150.  We sent in the check to Bread & asked if Bobby could please let us know what he decided to spend the money on so the girls could see what their hard work had gone towards.

Thankfully, Bobby decided to allow Anna & Mae to personally participate in using the money - such a sweet & meaningful day for them.  We got to take 3 groups of kids from the daycare to a shoe store in town (how to you transport lots of littles to the store in Honduras?  buckle them all up in 5 point harnesses?  NO.  throw all those cuties in the back of a truck with a few grownups & bounce your way to the shoe store).

It was fun chaos as every little one got fitted for new shoes.  What made a huge impression on all of us was their attitude during this shopping trip.  Each child tried of several pairs before we got the right fit (the sizes were European & kind of confusing).  They might try on everything from pink tennis shoes to rainbow flats to black mary janes... but not a single child complained about the shoe that eventually fit & was selected for them.  Not one.  You would expect some preferences - who wouldn't want rainbow flats over boring dress shoes?  Not a peep of complaint - only joy over new shoes that fit.  It was touching & humbling.

To make the day more exciting, the local news crew ran into Bobby in town & wanted to feature the story on the nightly news.  A camera man & reporter/news anchor guy interviewed the girls, Bobby, & Marin (the preacher) outside of the shoe store.  It was actually hilarious a couple of nights later trying to watch the Campamento news for the story - our silly group did their own voice over interpretations of the goofy stories - our favorite was the 10 mile per hour 4 wheeler & dirt bike racing.  We never saw the clip, but we were very entertained anyway.

We are so grateful that Bread allowed the girls to take their small contribution & see it actually make a difference for all of these boys & girls.  I know it's a memory that Anna & Mae will have forever - and I pray that it has grown the desire that God placed in their hearts to be His hands & feet & to use the talents that He has given them for His glory.  Also, this Momma will certainly be bringing up this story when I take my picky kids shoe shopping for years & years to come!