The blessing of giving

A long while back, I was wondering what to do with with some clothes that my kids had outgrown.  I sent text messages to all the ladies in the group.  Several of them wrote back that it was a good question and they have often wondered the best way to deal with this.  Actually this was not the first time I had this question.  When Alex was still coming to the house every week, I asked him about it.  I had wondered if I could donate them to the victims of a recent earthquake (it was a good while back).  Alex even called the newspaper or someone and no one knew how to donate clothes.  We heard rumors of different places we could donate clothes, but it was never as simple as it should have been.  So the outgrown clothes kept adding up season after season.

I do pass on some thigs to Caleb, but it will be years and years until Joy or Phoebe will be big enough for the clothes that Eryn is outgrowing. 

One Sunday Margaret was asking for prayers for her hometown.  She said the area is very, very poor.  She says that the pictures that Boonie showed her of Haiti remind her of the poverty in her hometown.  I mentioned to her that the next time she went there, I would like to send some clothing.  She acted like it was a good idea, but never said anything else.

Then, Monday, out of the blue, she texted me and said she was going to send some stuff to her hometown and asked if the clothes were still available. She came and got them Thursday.  She put some stuff  she had with the clothes I gave her.  She said she has packed 4 very large bags to send. 

She asked the other Chinese at the meeting this morning if they wanted to give any more clothes. 

As the discussion went on, Jon mentioned that we still have some money from a contribution that we would like to use for ...something.

The ladies decided that they would like to give to something or some place here in Hangzhou or close so that they can see the good their contribution does.  The ladies mentioned the autistic school here in Hangzhou.  Margaret and Elaine visited this school right before Christmas. 

Several ideas were mentioned.  Margaret challenged the ladies to do some research this week and they will make a decision next week about some place to help.  She said that they could talk, and talk, and debate and nothing get done. 

I am really excited about this.  Hallie was really excited about it too, because she has been putting aside some of her money to give (save, spend, give) and has not had much opportunity to give.

Pleas pray for wisdom in this choice and that our giving will be a great blessing on everyone involved!