Pakistani Action Packs - Family Service Project

I have been waiting to write about this until I had an action pack here and could take a picture...but ....I can't wait.

God has been confirming that this is our family project for a season. First, the PWOC International outreach for our last conference was Voice of the Martyrs. It was touching to visit with the staff from VOM. We have been receiving their magazine. Earlier in the month we got the magazine and this month it's on Pakistan. Most military families I know have taken a keen interest in this area of the world. Spending too much time thinking about persecution can be a "downer," but it seems God expects us to pray for those who are on the front lines and being persecuted for their faith. It is also good for our children to be aware that not all Christians are able to worship freely. I'll be age appropriate. I hestiated to say much because I knew some would think our focus on persecuted Christians was too morbid of a topic of kids.

VOM has a program where Christians can send Action Packs to Pakistan. These will be delivered to Christians who are struggling. Kids of Courage (division of Voice of the Martyrs) has an activity book on Pakistan that you can download for free. It's on my computer and ready to print.

Mike and I talked about this and it's the project we want to tackle. I have been contemplating HOW to go about it. I thought of collecting money until Resurrection Sunday/ Passover and sending the money to Voice of the Martyrs. I considered saving money, going shopping and filling the action pack ourselves, then mailing it back to Voice of the Martyrs. I believe we'll do the second route.

We are brainstorming how to raise the money to fill our packs. We don't want this to simply be a case where Mom and Dad write a check and donate. I think Michelle had a list last year where the kids give certain amounts of $ for various things....I remember "give x amount for each pair of shoes you own". ::snort:: I'm still searching around for the list. I was sure I saved it to use later. LOL I am coming up with a list of jobs the kids can do to earn money to put towards our shopping trip for Pakistan. Maybe we'll make up a flyer or something. Maybe we'll buy cheap Easter candy and sell it door to door. We shall see.

Meanwhile, Emma, Arielle's friend, is having a birthday. I LOVE how Deja and her family do birthdays. I plan to do the same - except we never have birthday parties. ::snort:: Deja's kids invite friends to their party but ask that they bring a donation for the group they have chosen to donate to. One year it was a Children's Cancer Clinic, Toys for Tots.....etc. THIS year they are doing Action Packs for Pakistan. How cool is THAT? If we're morbid, at least we're not alone. ::snort:: (Lest you worry that Doug and Deja deprive their children, the children do get family gifts.)

Our kids are VERY excited to begin working for this project. That is confirmation....this reminds me of the excitement around here when we are collecting for shoe boxes.

I forgot I'd put the William Tyndale movie in our Netflix queue. We opened the envelope to see what we'd be watching tonight and it was about another man who was persecuted for his beliefs.

I can't remember all the other confirmations at the moment....but it is clear to us that this is OUR project for the time being.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.