Time to Lavish Some Love

Take a minute and try to estimate how many pizzas you have eaten in your life.  On second thought, don't think about that...it may depress you.  :)  Can you imagine a life where you never had eaten pizza - ever?  What if a bottle of soda was a luxury you simply couldn't afford? 

There is an amazing group of teenage boys who live together in Ethiopia at a place called Kolfe Orphanage.  The picture below is of one of the young men's feet.  I'm thinking that the boy who wears these shoes day in and day out probably doesn't ever get the luxury of enjoying a pizza and soda.  I'm thinking he probably has bigger things to think about.

But he shouldn't have to always be thinking about bigger things.  He should be able to enjoy a pizza and soda like many other teenage boys on the planet do.  Quite a few of the Kolfe boys have sponsors here in the States thanks to Children's HopeChest (but there are still many more in need of sponsors if you're interested!!).  Most of the boys at Kolfe Orphange in Ethiopia are typically given practical things from their sponsors, which is GOOD and makes a lot of sense!! In fact, I know that the boy belonging to the shoes above just received a new pair of gym shoes from his sponsor. The reality that most of these young men face is that they need practical stuff. They need toothbrushes and toothpaste, paper, pens and pencils for school. Most of the gifts these boys get are useful, practical things for which they're very grateful.


But...I think they deserve something fun too...something not practical at all. What does every teenage boy like?? Yep. Pizza. And the truth is many of the 130 boys at Kolfe haven't ever had pizza. Some haven't ever had soda. I get to go to Kolfe next week with my husband and my friends Le and Lindsey.  We thought it would be fun to throw all 130 teenage boys a pizza party with soda! LOVE IT!!


I can already picture the smiles on their faces and I know it will be even better than I picture it being.  I love the thought of these boys laughing while they scarf down pizza and guzzle Coke...

We aren't sure exactly how much it's going to cost, but we estimate around $600-$700. These are teenage boys we're talking about...not two year olds. :) So, here's your opportunity to contribute to one of the greatest pizza parties of all time. We promise...if we've over estimated the amount needed, we'll spend your money on some of that practical stuff for the boys. :)


If there's one thing I know about God it's that He loves to give good gifts to His children. He LAVISHES love on us. Now's our chance to lavish some love on the Kolfe boys in the form of pizza and soda. I think God will be smiling big when He sees the smiles on His kid's faces next week. So, what can you do to help? Here's one suggestion...give up any pizza you might have otherwise eaten this month and donate the money you would have spent to the Kolfe boys. If you have kids, what a great way to get them involved in sacrificing for other kids around the world. I promise to blog pictures of the pizza party when I get back so you can share them with your families. Anyway, if you feel moved to help us meet our goal of $600-$700 please click here to make your tax deductible gift to Children's HopeChest as soon as you possibly can, being sure to note "ET- Kolfe Pizza Party" in the notes section. We'd love to have the money in place by this weekend if possible!

Thanks for your prayers for these 130 young men who so desperately need to experience the love of God.  We are asking that God would use something as seemingly silly as a pizza party to make that love tangible next weekend. Thanks, everyone.  You rock. :)