One of the things the Sowers4Pastors ministry is known for is an ability to get things done on small amounts of money. They have always been so good at stretching a dollar that it’s not easy for Allen, Trish, and Russell to feel they are standing with their hands out while praying for enough money to do all they have been called to do. As much as they dislike asking for money, they will continue to do everything they can to feed people in Western Honduras and to make it possible for kids to attend school.
Sowers4Pastors is also continuing to look ahead to backpack season. Several people have asked the following question: If the children didn’t go to school this year, why do they need another backpack? That’s a good question with a very good answer.
Students in Honduras had about a month of school before the lockdown began. Throughout this period of time, there have been attempts to continue educating kids. The most fortunate children are still using up their school supplies to complete their assignments. It is expected that the other children are probably using their supplies out of boredom. Surely, no one can fault a child for wanting to wear down the tips of their crayons by coloring in composition books. These kids are not plopped in front of Netflix when they’re not in school. They get their entertainment where they can find it and many of them have likely found great comfort in having the freedom to create a few art projects or write down their thoughts. The hygiene supplies each child received are also being used. The toys they received are being played with. The need is still there.
Given the current situation, some people have urged Allen and Trish to not even try to extend the backpack collection route to include Texas at this time. But, since they won’t be in the States for a couple of months, the planning must be done now. If you read this post about Kristen in California, you remember that she managed to fill 48 backpacks with the help of her friends and family without ever leaving home. It is possible to fill backpacks while social distancing!
Even if Covid-19 numbers take a turn for the worse between now and September, you can leave the boxes out on your driveway and the traveling Sowerses will roll by and pick them up. They want to do this in the safest way possible.
At this point, there is no way of knowing what the school situation will be for children in Honduras next February, although, just like in the US, the government of Honduras is working on a plan. However it works out, it can be said with certainty that without backpacks, many children have no hope of attending school. The only way they can get an education is with backpacks filled with school supplies. The only way those backpacks can get filled is by people who care enough to do it.
Please be patient and understanding because this is going to continue to be a hot blog post topic! Other aspects of the ministry are still going strong. Motorcycles are going out to pastors. Pastors’ gifts all went out, albeit at a snail’s pace. The only things that absolutely can’t be done right now are Pastor Training School and hosting teams. But for the foreseeable future, the big needs from people in the US are food and backpacks (and/or donations toward these same needs).
No one could accuse Allen, Trish, or Russell of being greedy. But they simply aren’t willing to back down on the need for backpacks in lieu of food. They also aren’t willing to abandon feeding people in lieu of backpacks. Both things are important. Some people have asked, “Which is more urgent? Which should I donate to--food or backpacks?”
To those people, Trish says, “Donate to whichever one God puts on your heart. The need for both is there. We will let you know if one becomes more important than the other.”
- posted by Christi
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