let love guide: 31 for 31

have you heard about the imprisoned children of ug.anda?
well, there are many.
and most haven't done a thing worthy of such a sentence.

they are being held at one of many remand homes. we have been to a few of these places and they will break. your. heart. seriously. it is no place for a child. i don't care what they have done {or haven't done..no person should ever live in these conditions}. it seems as though some of these children are street kids and every time the city decides to "clean up" the streets, they take the children to these homes as a way of "dealing" with the "problem". not such a good solution.

many of these precious children have a hope that is indescribable but at the same time, the pain is very visible in their eyes and i can tell the hurt runs deep.

during one of our visits, i met a young girl about 14. she began to tell me why she was there...and my heart sunk. i can tell you she was wrongfully accused. but there is nothing she can do. she doesn't even know how long she is going to spend in this particular home. my stomach turns even as i write the word "home" .. these places. .. they are not "homes" .... when i think of "home", i think of comfort and love and family and a place to be loved as yourself.

these places are not "homes", they are holding facilities.

after being away from my "home" for the past 9 1/2 months, i long for my home this holiday season. like me, i know these children long for a place they can truly call home. i know they long to be loved and adored as Christ intended them to be. but they need our help ... this christmas season, we have an opportunity to make a difference in their lives and to get them ONE step closer to the h o m e they so desire and deserve.

during this past year, we have come to l o v e what sixtyfeet is doing in ug.anda. {they really had us at hello but you know..a good relationship only continues to grow and grow!} we are blown away by the work that is being done in these remand centers and for the sake of these children.

it has been one of sixtyfeet's vision to get the youngest and most vulnerable children out of these homes and into a new home {yes, a REAL home!!!} on land that will be purchased by sixtyfeet. last christmas they raised $30,000 for this project; however, {as we very well know;)} sometimes, God's timing isn't always that of our own. so this money is still in the bank....

THIS christmas, a group of donors got together and they are matching up to $60,000. YES, you read that right. whatever is given by December 31, will be matched UP TO $60,000. can you imagine what can be done with $150,000??? {$30,000 : raised last year + $60,000 : raised this year + $60,000 : matching grant} after all this time, the vision has turned into an entire, sustainable community. boys' and girls' houses for the older kids that can be mentored by young adults, homes for the littlest littles and oh. so. much. more!!!! i get teary thinking about all of these sweet children having a future and realizing they are made for SO much more. they would be loved and adored and cherished. oh my goodness...i just get so excited thinking about all the possibilities!!!

this is a need right now and what a blessing that people are willing to match up to $60,000.
what a great opportunity to give now and have your money doubled.

ok, so here's the deal :: in 10 days, i turn 31.

it is my golden birthday .... 31 on the 31st of december.

it is looking more and more like we won't be home for christmas and we may not even be home by my birthday so to celebrate...{just found out it may be another month...ay iy iy!}

i was thinking, just for fun, you could donate any amount with a 1 and a 3 in it....for my golden birthday;) i can't think of anything i could want more than for these precious children to be in a place where they could be loved. everyday of the year!! a true home.

with the matching grant, $3 becomes $6...$13 becomes $26...$31 is now $62...every amount is doubled. see how fun that is??!! to donate directly to sixtyfeet, go here.

we totally understand not everyone can give {we {really} get this;)} so if you can't give then share...share it on fb, on your blog, twitter... everywhere.

another way to bless sixtyfeet {for free;)} is to go to the Cultivate Wines site and cast a vote for SixtyFeet to win the december grant they're giving away. they are in second place and could very easily win up to $10,000 at the end of the month! i just voted:) you can vote once per day until the end of the year.

let's bless them abundantly and see the lives of these children continue to change.

{this just in :: a friend of mine was so moved by what sixtyfeet is doing, she wanted to join in the fun....so if you need to purchase a last minute gift for any woman in your life {or maybe you just want a pair like i do;)}, these are the earrings she is selling in her shop.. click here to purchase these beauties from my friend, Holly's etsy shop!!! {then just view the "sixty feet benefit" in the left hand column. there are a variety to choose from!}