Sole Hope, what I do

Sole Hope.  

Those of you who talk to me daily know what a difference this organization has made in our lives.  For those of you who don't, I love it so much I just have to share.  This month, the month that focuses on thankfulness, I want to share things that I am thankful for...and Sole Hope is definitely one of them!

I first got involved with Sole Hope in 2011 when I met Asher at my very first Created For Care Conference.  (You can read about that first meeting here.)  In case you don't know, Sole Hope offers HOPE, healthier lives, and freedom from foot related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief.  Very simply said they employ widows in Uganda to make shoes that we then give out to children to help fight jiggers.  Jiggers are nasty little sand fleas that make their home in feet.  They can effect anyone...including these precious boys...

who you now know much better as...

yes.  my sons.  they both had jiggers before joining our family...and you know this momma isn't going to stand back and not fight!

I started off hosting a few small shoe parties.  (You can read about them here, and here.)  From there, I felt God encouraging me to help out organizations - leading me to "Help From Home".  I hosted "parties" where we helped a few other very awesome organizations -  Sixty Feet and The Mercy House being two of them.  

Although I loved helping different organizations I felt the pulling to commit to one.  To pour myself into a group of people - to start building relationships.  To love them.  My friendship with Asher was still growing, I got to spend a lot of time with her at my second Created For Care Retreat, and I got to volunteer at the Sole Hope booth for several hours over that weekend.  That sealed the deal for me.  

I spoke with Asher and Dru (her husband) and asked how I could become more involved.  Long story short I became their "shoe party specialist", answering all inquiries from other people about the shoe parties they were hosting.  I was privileged to be a part of creating the new shoe party pack, and I even filmed an informational / instructional video that goes out in every shoe party kit.  From there, we developed the Sole Hope Ambassador Program, and I am heading that up as well.  

Although I am a full time volunteer for them...often working 20-30 hours a week, this really a family ministry for us.  My husband and kids help me prep for our shoe parties, we walked together in a local walk a thon to raise money for Sole Hope, the kids attend all of our shoe parties (that now have up around 80 people in attendance!), and Blake has even filmed a fabulous video (compliments of Two Are Better) talking about his personal experience with jiggers...(to be revealed soon)!  

I made my first trip to the Sole Hope headquarters in Asheville, NC this past summer, and hope to be able to go back once a year to head up an Ambassador Conference!  Not only do I get to work with a great core team at Sole Hope, I am also blessed to work with awesome women from around the country who have become Sole Hope Ambassadors!  They inspire me every day to keep doing what I do.  

I can't tell you what a privilege it is for them to trust me with a part of their organization.  I really believe this organization is made up of a team of people who are earnestly seeking God's leading and direction each step of the way.  I love what I do every single day.  I know this is where God needs me right now...working to help financially support my family, loving my husband and children, helping to home school them, and volunteering for Sole Hope.