A Plea.

Yesterday I posted on Impress Your Kids about a new Christmas tradition we started. The four of snuggled on the couch and picked out presents for Jesus–out of gift catalogs from World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse. I wasn’t going to share about it over here but then something happened last night that I had to tell you.

We got a letter from our Compassion daughter, Alizeta. Earlier this year we had given her family a monetary gift. This letter was a thank-you. It came with a picture of her family with the supplies they bought with the money–a bicycle, a bag of corn, a dress and some shoes.

Alizeta is in the middle.

I almost started crying just looking at the picture. Alizeta is so beautiful. And the bike and corn are just so—I don’t know. They are big, but also just so meaningless. I have a broken bike in my garage. Lydia has a balance bike that she never rides. We have a car, a truck and a trailer. I have a ROOM for my car! I’m literally in tears as I write this because while I was feeling all this, I also noticed that her family looked different–then I read the letter and understood. Her little sister, Sadiatou died on August 25.

Alizeta and Sadiatou. In their home.

Sadiatou was just a toddler. And wore braces on her legs. We’ve talked about her with Alizeta several times because Lydia and Alizeta are both big sisters.

I immediately got tears in my eyes and a knot in my stomach. Lydia and I sat down on the kitchen floor and prayed for Alizeta and her family.

Then I realized how important that gift of the bike and corn were. Over and over in the letter she said “thank you, thank you” and asked for God to bless us for our kindness. I know a small gift like this doesn’t replace or take away the pain of losing a family member. But I believe it added a little joy and ease to their life. And I am so glad that we have the opportunity and ability to give them even small gifts.

This morning we are going to write Alizeta a letter and tell her how incredibly sad we are for them. And how we are praying for them. And how we know that God is close to their broken hearts. And how we feel blessed to be a part of their family.

So, this Christmas I’m asking you to please give a gift to someone. Not another toy to your kids, or baked goods to your neighbor. Think about the kids and families who would rejoice over a bike and bag of corn. Think of the families that have to rely on the kindness of someone in another country to live. Think of someone who just lost their daughter and can’t provide for their other children.

This same day I got an email from Shuan Groves encouraging us to blog about Compassion’s Gift Catalog. So, I couldn’t resist. I am compelled to ask you to give. Look through Compassion’s Gift Catalog. Or World Vision. Or Samaritan’s Purse. Each of them are ministries I have worked with and give to on a regular basis. Each of them will use your money exactly as you ask. And God will use it to do even more than you imagine!

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I forgot to tell you, I bought our goat! Remember, I opened ohAmanda up to private ads. And with that income I will be giving to an organization or group on behalf of you, my ohAmanda readers and friends. So, thank you for clicking on my partners. (I’m calling them partners, not just sponsors because they are partnering with me in this!) Thank you for visiting ohAmanda and being a part of this small gift.

Thank you to my partners, Savings Lifestyle (the one stop shop for saving, couponing and giving) and MiMi’s Babies (special gifts for special babies) for partnering with me! I’m honored you’re here!