Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Bibles and Backpacks

In order to get into the mood for today’s post, we’re going to begin with a sing-along. Join in. You know you want to!

The B-I-B-L-E!
Yes, that’s the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E!

Once every three years, backpack & shoe delivery day becomes even more special with the addition of a new Bible for each child. How many Bibles is that? Well, as Allen said, “We’re knocking on the door of 5000.” That is a very big door.

Some of the Bibles have already arrived and they’re just waiting to be put into the hands of children, but more will be needed. Kids in Pre-K-3rd grade will receive beautiful storybook Bibles, just right for beginning readers. 4th graders and up will receive a paperback Bible. These are what you might think of as outreach Bibles.

Because the cost of Spanish books is consistently about twice as expensive as books written in English, it is an extra-blessing that Sowers4Pastors is able to purchase books in bulk through a Mennonite group that works in Honduras. The fact that they are purchased in-country simplifies things, too. With no shipping hassles, Allen is able to purchase the books for $3.5 per storybook and just under $2 for the older kids’ Bibles, plus the bookstore very kindly donated a couple of boxes that others had donated to them. Thanks, 
Librería Luz Cristiana!

Handing out Bibles fits perfectly with the mission of feeding children spiritually, as well as physically. One of the benefits of sending children to school is that they can read the Bible. Some of the children will graduate and move into a variety of careers. In truth, most will not graduate and will, by choice or because of life circumstances, stay close to home. They will serve their communities as farmers and laborers. Regardless of how much formal education a child receives, once that child can read, a whole new world of reading for spiritual growth and for pleasure has been unlocked. Forever.

Sowers4Pastors is looking for people to partner with them in giving free Bibles to children. Think about it. It only takes a couple of dollars to put a Bible into the hands of a child. An old tip I picked up when selling Campfire Girl candy each year was to say, “How many boxes should I put you down for?” Sowers4Pastors rarely goes for the hard sell, but… How many children should we put you down for?



-posted by Christi

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