The first thing that pops into most people’s heads when they think of Valentine’s Day is visions of red roses, chocolates, romantic dinners, couples holding hands. It’s normally a time when everything everywhere whispers of romance.
To be honest, it’s enough to make someone like me, who is not at a season of my life to enjoy Valentine’s Day in this fashion, just a tad lonely.
But, God has not put “Mr. Right” in my path yet and instead of lamenting this fact or feeling sorry for myself, He has given me an idea. I believe it is one that reflects a true heart of love. Not what the world tells us love should be, but what God says about it.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
The extent to which God loves us is unfathomable. It is lasting. It does not fade away along with Valentine roses a couple weeks later. It can never be separated from a Christian in life or in death.
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?…
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:32, 35, 37-39
All of this truth inspired me to start a Valentine Card Challenge. The purpose is to spread the love of God to the imprisioned children of Uganda that the ministry Sixty Feet serves. Their mission is, “Bringing Hope and Restoration to the Imprisioned Children of Africa in Jesus’ Name.”
People can make a card with John 3:16 written out along with “God loves you” and their signature. Since around 200 children are in each facility and 7 known facilities exist in Uganda, we are aiming for 1,400 cards by February 14th so every child can receive one.
Why Uganda? Why Sixty Feet?
All I can say is that as a sixteen year old girl, I read the story of how this ministry formed to serve the vulnerable children of this country. God placed an intense irrefusable burden on my heart to help these orphans. I had to be their voice. Impressing a knowing deep within my core, the Lord clearly revealed that these children were His call on my life.
In October of 2013, I initiated a Cupcake Kids sale at my church as a way to raise support for the kids in Uganda. Graciously, the Lord gave me courage to share on several occasions about the passion I had for these orphans and how people could help them in their desperate plight by purchasing cupcakes.
With the help of countless people, whose efforts made the sale possible, hundreds of cupcakes were bought that raised enough funds for almost a month of medical care for the ones I loved so well.
Then, providing everything I needed in less than a month during early 2014, God had me on a plane destined for the Pearl of Africa so that I could go to those prisons and wrap the children in the arms of His love.
I think my heart skipped a beat when I saw Entebbe from the air. My first glimpse of Uganda. It was an inky black night with lights from the city glowing like so many fireflies. I fell in love.
Now, I find myself a year later being eighteen and homesick for this place. I remain in love with this country and the call God has put on my life to this day.
I miss it so much that I cry when I think of all the sweet young friends I made. I dream about orphans often. It is my deepest desire to go back.
At the same time, there are things I can do right here, right now to fill these kids’ lives with hope. The hope of Jesus, it gives life to the broken.
I took several brightly colored cards with me on my first trip to Africa. They were made by me, my brothers and sisters, as well as a group of kids from an Awana program at church.
Martin Luther once said, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen.”
It’s surprising what one piece of paper can do to change the world for one person. I know how much a card can brighten up these kids’ lives, flooding their faces with smiles!!
You can be a part of that! All it takes is ordinary people willing to do what God asks of them to make an extraordinary difference in the lives around them and across the globe.
Please join this movement. For more details, visit my blog, Uniquely Fashioned for His Glory.
Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section!
There are currently 9 Comment(s)
There are currently 9 Comment(s)
This is awesome! Count me in! Do you mind if I write a small article about this on my blog to try to get others involved?
That would be amazing, Sam! This is definitely the sort of project that will only succeed if we all chip in and spread the word. =)
Yes, I agree with Brett. Thank you for your willing heart to share God’s love to these orphans. 🙂
This is so great! I hope to contribute!
That would be awesome!! Thanks. 🙂
Love this! What a creative way to show God’s love instead of dwelling on our own selfish ambitions this Valentine’s day. Way to go, Crista!
Thanks!!
Oh Crista!! This is so amazing! What you’re doing is also very close to my heart. I’ve always had a love and passion for orphans. My family adopted two from Ethiopia a while back. I know 60 Feet! They did a presentation at my church a few years ago. Thank you so much for doing this!! I wish I could go with you when you go back! I’ve read Kisses from Katie twice – the first time I read it my parents almost had to force-ably keep me from jumping on the first plane to Africa! I’m so excited for you that God is leading you in this direction. I’m in!
Cool! I have adopted siblings too!
Really? That’s awesome! How many siblings do you have?
I have 5 siblings, 2 adopted! How ’bout you?
I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, 2 adopted :). Where are your adopted siblings from? It was quite a journey for us, and we’re so blessed to have them.
Adoption has blessed me immensely! One was adopted from South Korea, and the other is still waiting for us in Ch*na! Yes, the journey can be long, but it’s so worth it 🙂
Oh that’s so cool! It makes me so happy to hear from other adoptive families :). I’ll be praying for your sibling waiting across the ocean, and that you get to him/her soon!
Thank you so very much!:)
Btw, I LOVE the verse in your profile :). Just this past week it’s been huge for me.
I’m glad it has helped you! I It’s my favorite verse, and i’m glad God made it stand out to me when i read through Philippians!
It’s a small world! I’m thrilled you have the same passion as I do. That would be amazing to take you or others on a trip there. It’s a dream of mine. I’ve found when you dream big, God makes your dream even bigger!!
No way – I have an adopted sister from Ethiopia!
Seriously?! Wow, that’s awesome! =D
Amazing! Count me in! Better to share God’s love like this than eat chocolate and be annoyed by the world’s mushy imitation.
Totally!
Haha yeah what @disqus_RrWMSHgl9t:disqus said. 🙂
🙂
Nice new profile pic =)
Thank you!
Crista, my sister and I were making some cards, when she came up with an idea. Does each card need an individual envelope, or can we just fill a flat-rate box with cards and ship that to Sixty Feet?
Also I’m gonna ask if my old school could help out with this goal 🙂
That would be great to have them all shipped in a box! Thank you both. 🙂
Ok so I’m new but not really cos my sister is Sam Wegner and I don’t want to hear it Sam. So yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Welcome, Shea! =)
Waaaait a minute Sam Wegner is a girl? Ok that explains some things 🙂
hahaha yeah I just figured that out too:)
Hello, Shea! welcome!
Wait, what? @samwegner:disqus you’re a girl?! 🙂
Yeah 🙂 Sam is short for Samantha 🙂
That is really funny…I didn’t know that either. Whoops! Thanks for letting us know–or should I say thanks to your sister…
That’s what I thought too! 😉
I love this idea! I know what you feel like when you fall in love with a country. After going on a missions trip to Mexico that is where my heart has been. I will totally make some cards. Are we supposed to write John 3:16 in English or the other language? I will let my youth group know about it too! Totally love what you are doing!!!!!
Thank you! You can write John 3:16 out in English. The NKJV or NASB are good translations to use since it makes it easier for them to understand. If you like, you can write “God loves you” in Lugandan which would be “Jesu Okwagala”. HTH.
This sounds like such a great idea! I’ve lived in Uganda for nearly six years, and although I’m not fluent in Luganda, my friend says that “God loves you” is “Katonda Okwagala” since “Yesu” means Jesus. Of course, either works!
That must have been so exciting to live in UG. I just might do that myself someday. Good to know about “Katonda Okwagala”. I will add that to my post as one of the options. I learned “Jesu Okwagala” from the kids at an orphanage. I love how that in every language there is a way to say there’s a God who loves you. 🙂
Yes, I love living here! And amen to your last statement!
Okay cool. Our family will be making quite a few. I also sent the link to my friends and youth group. How many do you have so far?
Great!! So far there are 186 cards.
awesome!
Two things: Should we send the cards to you or to Sixty feet? And, when should we send the cards? Is it okay to send them the week of Valentine’s Day or is that too late?
You can send them to Sixty Feet. The address is given on my blog post. The week of Valentine’s is fine. There is not a true deadline since the cards won’t be delivered right away. I just thought it would be neat to designate Valentine’s as a time to do it.
Thanks!
I think this is an amazing idea. I also too have felt left out and lonely on Valentine’s Day. And maybe we could not just do this on Valentine’s Day but maybe on any holiday? just a suggestion. What do you guys think??
That is a wonderful idea! I’m sure SixtyFeet would love to have those flowing in. Cards make an impact. It says to the orphan that someone on the other side of the world cares enough about them to bless their life.
This project has helped me to take my mind off of being lonely for sure–instead placing all of my energy and attention on Christ and His mighty love. 🙂
thank you.
This is such an awesome idea!! I’ve really wished I could do more to make people feel Jesus’ love on Valentine’s day, but not known how. Now I do. 🙂 I’ll definitely check this out and spread the word!
The card count as of right now is 200!! That’s enough for children in 1 prison to each receive one. We still have 6 to go which equals 1200 more cards.
It’s encouraging to see how much God has already provided in such a few days. 🙂
I’m planning to have a party to make cards! I’m not sure when yet, but I’ll let you know.
That’s SO exciting!! What a great idea! 🙂
Mind if I add that to the list of things on my blog post that people can do to make cards?
Yeah, sure! I’m also asking the art teacher at my old school to do it as an art project.
I just saw your blog post. Btw. I’m not a girl. 🙂
I’m so sorry! How embarrassing. I’ll change that right away.
It’s okay. You don’t have to feel bad.
252 cards is the latest count!
So excited for you!
My first day making cards, I’ve done 12 with my siblings. I’m also organizing an event for my youth groups to make cards! 🙂
That’s wonderful!! So excited.
Including the 12 cards you made, that bumps the number up to 365 cards!! We’re about to hit 400. That’s great about the event with your youth group. The more hands & hearts that are involved with this project, the better. 🙂
I have somewhere around 39ish so I think you’ve hit the mark 🙂
That was not from the party I’m planning. I still haven’t done that.
Wow–It’s awesome to watch the cards flood in. Already 400 a week after posting about this. Incredible! No doubt God is at work. 🙂
Okay, this is awesome. 🙂 I forwarded this to one of my young friends who is passionate about helping Katie Davis and the Ugandan orphans, and her mom helped to arrange for our homeschool group to have a card-making party on February 6th to make cards!!!! I’m excited. Thank you, Moriah, for following the Lord’s leading in your life and for creating this idea. 🙂
What a blessing!! 😀 That is beautiful!
@Moriah – is it okay if we send them in after Valentine’s Day? We’re having a Valentine’s Party on the 14th and I wanted to make cards then but we wouldn’t be able to send them until after that…
Sure! I just used Valentine’s as a time to do this project. The cards will be delivered whenever teams go over with Sixty Feet so there is not a true deadline. Just as long as they are sent in by February, you’re fine! Thank you for your willingness to help spread God’s love to Uganda’s orphans! 🙂
Okay, great! Thank you!
I have at least 100 cards cut out, they are not decorated yet or anything, but at least it’s a step! 🙂
Wow! That is a lot…thank you so much. 🙂
HANNAH MCINTOSH: You post here too? Soooo cool! 🙂 lol. I can’t wait for the Chep-C event!! 🙂
HANNAH MCINTOSH: Have you made any cards yet? Hb your siblings?
Moriah S:
Hi! I’m new to this thing… I totally love this idea!! I think it’s so neat, that your involving everyone in this thing. Not just adults. I’ve always told myself, “I’m saving $ now, so that as soon as I turn 18, (I’m 13 now…) I can go to Uganda, and help with whatever is needed.” (Although I really hope it has to do with little kids! :-)) lol. But, I don’t have to wait until I’m 18! I can help with whatever is neccessary right now! Right here in Ohio!! Like this card project! I’m so glad you thought of it! Thank you SO much!! 🙂 🙂
That’s beautiful–glad you like this card idea. Yes, I feel the same way. Even though I want to be in Uganda right now, there are so many things I can do to serve the orphans right from where I am until when I’m able to be again. 🙂
I love Ugandan kids!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Moriah S.:
Where exactly IS your blog? 🙂
http://www.uniquelyfashionedforhisglory.blogspot.com
Hannah McIntosh:
Sorry, I should’ve let you know who I was. lol. This is Darci- From Faith Family Fellowship- How are things? We are going to the Jones on Thursday, then prayer meeting. Do you know if you will be able to make it? I hope so. 🙂
Moriah S.:
What time is it where you live? Right now, it is 7:14 P.m.
The new card count is: 675
Yay! Almost half way there!
I know! Can’t believe it. Wonder if we will go over the goal. 🙂
That’s amazing!! We might even go over our goal!!!!! The sky’s the limit, right? 🙂
Exactly! 🙂
I totally want to help!!!
I have also been inspired by Katie Davis. I read her book 2 years ago, and have kept reading it! I have a heart and a passion for the people of Uganda, but Im not sure what to do with it.
Brooklyn,
Thank you for your willingness to help spread God’s love to Uganda’s orphans!!
It always makes my filled with joy to hear of others with the same passion for Uganda. Katie Davis’ book gave me my first introduction to the country. While in Africa last spring, I had the privilege to visit the Amazima grounds!
I’m sure the Lord will reveal what do with your heart for this beautiful place–He plants these seeds inside us so they will bloom. It will change the world for Christ! Be faithful to pray & seek His will. He can open up doors of opportunity better than anything you can dream up. I speak from experience. 🙂
I have 2 groups of youth that are participating. I gave them 2 weeks to get their cards to me. I will let you know the total we will be sending on February 9th. We are so excited about this project! I can’t wait to see the cards the youth create!
Brooklyn:
I own the book, and I re-read it too!! 🙂 I feel a lot like you… 🙂 I have had a passion for Uganda, and don’t know what to do with it! I have been looking for projects like this, to join in, and I finally found this!! I’m so happy!! 🙂 lol. I really want to go to Uganda!!!!!
So cool! I love meeting people who have a passion for the same things I do! I just did a post yesterday as I was struggling with not knowing how to make a difference. You can check it out at https://brooklynwrites15.wordpress.com/
Im glad that we both found this post, and can make cards for those children!!
Okay, now I’m curious….whereabouts in Ohio do you live? I’m in Northwest Ohio, and so is Darci (aka @iwanttogotouganda:disqus).
Oh how cool! Im about forty minutes south of Columbus, so we’re kinda in opposite directions. But same state though! Thats pretty close!!!
Donna: That is so cool!! my mom set up a home-schooling event where we are making cards. The. Whole. Time. It’s gonna be so fun!!! 🙂 My best friend is going to be there though, so I hope we can at least get some cards made. 🙂 lol. Just kidding. We will do our best. 🙂
We are officially at the half way mark of our goal and a little over!! The card count is 765! Amazing what God has done in only two weeks. Thank you to all you who have & will continue to make cards, spread the word, and give His love to the least of these.
Moriah S.:
That is so amazing! And in only two weeks!! 🙂 God is SO good! 🙂 How are we supposed to sign our names? Just, ‘Love or Soncerely so-and-so”, or something more personal? Thanks! 🙂 Sorry for all of these questions. lol.
Hey @iwanttogotouganda:disqus, you can actually reply directly to other comments by hitting the “reply” link under each comment. You can also tag people’s names by typing “@” and then their username.
Hi Brett! oh, okay. That makes sense. lol. Thanks! 🙂 Have you made any cards yet? I have only made four. 🙁 So far! 🙂 My goal is 100… Not sure if I’ll actually make it, but with God all things are possible! 🙂 lol!
You can sign it any way you like. I put “Love, Moriah”
Moriah S.:
Ooooh! 🙂 lol. Duh! 🙂 🙂 okay, I’m confused. (I get confused a lot. lol.) You said the kid’s that will be getitng these cards are in prison?? Why? The girls in the picture looked like 4 or 5. 🙁 That’s really sad.
Yes, it is very sad & heartbreaking! I saw kids as young as 2 or 3 years old in the prisons. God is bigger. That’s why I love doing anything to brighten this kids lives with His love.
They are in prisons. The vast majority of kids there have not committed any crimes. They are unwanted orphaned or abandoned children, street beggars rounded up by the police, handicapped or mentally disabled children, and war refugees fleeing war torn countries in Africa. Sixty Feet has the mission of “Bringing Hope and Restoration to the Imprisoned Children of Africa in Jesus’ Name”.
Oh my goodness! That’s terrible!! 2 or 3? Wow. Now, I want to help them even more! 🙂 I’m sure that they will LOVE the cards! 🙂 I know I would, if I was in prison. 🙂
What’s the latest count?
845
Woo!!!
Okay, I just realized that the day Moriah S. published this, was my birthday!! 🙂 lol.
Yay!!! I’m SOOO excited!! 😃
This morning I checked my blog comments– a girl from Spain is sending 16 cards. That brings the total to 998!!
Our new total brings tears to my eyes. It is so filled with God’s goodness and love. We have 1,012 cards. Praise the Lord! Those numbers are not just numbers–they are lives of orphans in prison who are desperate for hope. Desperate for Jesus. Desperate for love. And they will have it!! Love. A four letter word that can change a life forever. It is the essence of who God is. He is love.
God has met the goal!! 1438 is the new count. It doesn’t stop here…1400 was just a guess. God knows exactly how many we need to reach every child who needs one. Please keep them coming until Valentine’s Day!!!
So, what will Sixty Feet do with the extra cards?
1400 was just an estimate about how many cards we needed to send. The amount of kids in the prisons goes up and down. Apparently there are quite a few more than I expected. God has other ideas about the total. It is already going way past. Someone just commented on my blog adding a couple hundred more to the total.
I’m sure Sixty Feet will just keep giving them until each child has one–and keep them on hand when needed. I read on a blog post from one of their interns that sometimes kids come are dropped off in prisons during the night. In times like those, I’m sure comfort is always a welcome thing for them. https://www.sixtyfeet.org/2014/10/16/i-see-heaven/
So thrilled to hear the goal has been met and surpassed. I hope there will be similar projects for other ministries in the future.
Praise Jesus!
This is so amazing!!!!! So far, I have made 64 cards. I haven’t sent them in yet, because I’m trying to reach 100. We are having an event tomorrow where we are going to simply make cards. I’m so thrilled! Maybe I can reach 100 while I’m there.
It’s February 7th now and only one week away will be February 14th ~ Saint Valentine’s Day. So, is there yet time for me/ for us…friends & family & me to make and SEND these new cards???? And, if so…WHERE DO WE SEND THE VALENTINE’s GOSPEL Peace & LOve cards?
Just in case there is not the time left necessary to share paper cards…
I’m sending some of my original art work…through photos….
I’ve made my photos PUBLIC through a few public websites, too…
www. flick.com
and also many through Facebook….please, feel free to send me a Friend request .
I have a heart and a certain LOVE FOR and CONCERN FOR these children also…their open and sweet-spirited SMILING FACES just won me over at first glance.
I wish I could just scoop ’em all up and give ’em all a BIG HUG…
then, sit don around the same big old table and share bread and apples and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cold glasses of MILK, rice and beans and cornbread and MELONS, etc. As well as making SURE THEY KNOW THAT GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE>….that Jesus LOVES THEM….and that God is VERY OLD …and like old people….sometimes moves very slowly, but HE ALWAYS CARES.
Here’s hoping that we Christians from other places other than the country where these children currently reside….will be BLESSED AND EMPOWERED FURTHER BY OUR GREAT GOD OF THE UNIVERSE to share more and more of the pleasantest of our collective CHILDHOOD MEMORIES….songs, games, poems, etc.
Please, send me friend request via Facebook
and/or http://www.flickr.com
Free photo share site.
with many more loving and caring people there….more like you and me than not.
New card count: 1,891. How many do you think we will have by Valentine’s Day?? My brother thinks 5,000.
Woohoo! What’s the count now?
2033 is the count. 🙂
The latest count is 2109! I posted a quick update on my blog: http://uniquelyfashionedforhisglory.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-cup-overflows-card-update.html
PTL!