The Process of Processing Backpacks!

While Trish is in the States, enjoying snuggles from grandbaby Steven and visits with family and friends, Allen is tasked with keeping the home fires burning. When that task comes at the same time as processing backpacks, the home fires sort of turn into a mammoth wildfire. Today, we’re talking about the process of processing those backpacks!

There was much rejoicing when the contents of each of the two shipping containers arrived on the property. It was sort of how expectant parents eagerly await the arrival of a new baby. The baby’s arrival is just the beginning! The two containers held 1300 boxes, weighing in at 50-80 pounds each. That amounts to around 8000 backpacks. 

Allen jokes that there are about 1000 different ways those backpacks are put together, before being sent to Honduras. “Processing” means that someone needs to go through each of the 8000 bags to be sure they all contain the needed items. Some of them arrive missing items like notebooks or soap. Some are half-filled. Others contain bags filled with special stuff for specific children, but not school supplies and toiletries. All bags are welcome! Sowers4Pastors never wants perfectionism to be the reason someone didn’t send a backpack. It just means that each and every backpack must be checked so that any missing items can be added. 

Each backpack is assessed for damage, on the slim chance that damage may have occurred during shipping. Any damaged items are replaced.  Manna 4 Lempira boxes must be separated by location (Mercedes, Tablon, Betania, or Quelacasque). When a sponsor fills a backpack for a specific child, it is imperative that it makes it to that child. S4P takes this responsibility very seriously. 

Alejandro, Cesia, Esdras, Melvin, Brandy, Nikki, Kim and Jonathan are all working to be sure each child will receive a backpack that is filled to the point of being overstuffed. Last week, Esdras had two volunteers from his local church helping with the project. This week, he has recruited two volunteers from his theological school which is five hours away by bus.

Everyone helping understands that this prep work is leading up to the best day of the year for the kids who will receive backpacks. It is like Christmas day for them. Once the children take their backpacks home, they can remove the toys, hygiene items, and other gifts and be left with bags filled with school supplies for learning. Allen said that some of the children recognize this as their opportunity to go to school. They appreciate the gifts and toys. They treasure the opportunity to further their education. 

Parents and pastors also recognize the opportunity. Allen said, “We’re seeing an incredible number of kids getting to go further in school. We’re changing the future prospects for these communities and hoping to slowly break the cycle of poverty.

There’s another aspect that is even more important. As part of the sponsorship programs, Pastors are given the gift of being able to share the Gospel with the children. S4P, Manna 4 Lempira, and the pastors never lose sight of the eternal goal to advance the Gospel. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible through donations and prayers. 

 - posted by Christi