The Crate Beyond

I always know it’s going to be a fun blog post when Trish warns me, “I hope it’s not too confusing!” It really piques a person’s interest! This time, the interest-piquing, possibly confusing topic had to do with packing boxes full of shoes.

“There’s a box packing frenzy going on,” Russell said during our latest phone call. And by “boxes” he means crates made out of ¾ inch plywood. So far, so good. That’s not too confusing. But, wait! Why are they building crates?

Allen, Russell, Dillon, and a few men from the crew are building crates because cardboard boxes simply don’t have what it takes to hold themselves together while carrying a bunch of shoes. They are constructing 52 crates in all. There will be 26 for boys and 26 for girls. Each crate will hold one size of shoes. The next crate’s contents will go up by a half size. Sizes will range from a children’s size 6 to an adult size 9.

Shoes being sorted, by size and gender, into the appropriate crates

When they take the shoes out for distribution, each child will be fitted for a new pair of shoes on the spot. Having the supplies well organized makes it possible to fit as many as 300 kids at one center in one day.

Is that clear? If not, please refer to the many pictures Trish instructed the menfolk to take in order to clarify any questions you may have.

As long as I had Russell on the phone, we chatted about the benefits of having an energetic, young, North American staying with them for three months. Dillon has been helping for a couple of weeks, and is being joined by Kelsea this weekend! They will be able to do things for which even the most willing Honduran would not be well-suited. Things like posting to Facebook and dealing with some of the paperwork and computer tasks. They will both be able to help out with some of the daily tasks facing Sowers4Pastors. And, as Russell pointed out, “There are a lot of tasks!”

Russell, Allen, and Trish are all excited there are four young adults currently confirmed to stay and work with them anywhere from a month to a year. They are also talking to other potential candidates.

Here are a few of the characteristics the ideal candidate should possess:

• Must have a desire to serve God and others.
• Young adult without the responsibilities that come along with having a family.
• Enough energy to keep up with a family of Energizer Bunnies.
• College age or older
• The ability to stay for at least three months

If you fit those requirements, contact the Sowers to complete the application process.

 - posted by Christi