Since this is July 4th week, it's only fitting that we talk about our military. But instead of talking generalities, I want to tell you about my young friend, Janey Turner and her Hands for Soldiers ministry. Janey does more than talk.
Janey has always had a heart for helping others, so when the eight-year-old wanted to send care packages to soldiers in foreign lands, her parents weren't surprised. She stood in the middle of her kitchen, holding a list of names. "I can only pick one soldier? But what about the rest of them?"
Her mother studied the list of seven military men and women serving in Iraq. "McKissick Elementary isn't the only school sending care packages. You just pick the soldier you want. Someone else will take care of the others."
"But what if somebody gets left out? They'll think no one in America cares about them." "Sweetheart, you know you can't send a package to everyone."
Janey hugged the list. "I know. But I can try."
And she did. She started by using her allowance to send packages to all seven soldiers sponsored by her school. Then she canvassed her neighborhood and asked neighbors and friends for the names of other soldiers who were away from home. Enlisting the help of her grandmother, Janey bought more supplies and sent more packages.
And the names kept coming. Realizing her project was getting too big for her family to handle alone, she came up with a plan. First, she made an appointment with the mayor of Easley, South Carolina, her hometown. After the little girl explained her plan, Mayor Chris Christopherson donated money and promised to help spread the word. Then Janey visited the Easley police department, who gave her 144 pencils to put in the care packages. It was only the beginning. A few months later, with a card table set up in her living room, Hands for Soldiers was a booming ministry.
Using clear plastic gloves, Janey fills each finger of the glove with candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pens, mints, ChapStick, and gum. In the center of the glove, she adds a special gift like a baseball, a Bible, or a set of cards. Each goodie-bag has a decorated, hand-made card that says, "Thank you for your service. You deserve a big hand. Love, Janey."
But packages aren't limited to the names on the list. Janey sees that each recipient receives a box containing 25 to 30 care packages. "That way the soldiers can share with others in their groups." She also sends extra candy and gifts for the troops to share with children. "I want the kids to know Americans love them, too," she says.
Janey–now 14 years old–has sent over 17,000 care packages to soldiers around the world. From Iraq to Afghanistan, and Japan to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, our fighting men and women know someone in America appreciates them; someone in America cares.
If Janey could start this program when she was only eight, what can we do? We can help by donating money for supplies and shipping, and donating supplies for the packages. Needed items include:
- Small Bibles
- Hard candy, Sweet Tarts, suckers, Tic Tacs, bubble gum and chewing gum
- Tooth brushes, tooth paste, hairbrushes, small combs, baby powder, nail clippers, breath mints, mouthwash, dental floss, shampoo, razors, deodorant, BAND-Aids, lotion, ChapStick
- Pens, pencils, notepads, baseballs, playing cards, key chains
Janey is also a recording artist who performs at special events around the country and will be singing at the Greenville Drive professional baseball game in Greenville, SC this weekend, July 11, at 7pm.
For more information about Hands for Soldiers, a 501(c)(3) charity, check out Janey's website.
You can also reach Janey at , , , .
Whether it's a time of peace or a time of war, thousands of men and women are scattered throughout the world, protecting us and our freedoms. They need to know there is a God who loves them, regardless of where they are.
Thank you, Janey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drumroll, please…
My new demo DVD is here! And what fun it was! I hope you'll check it out and let me know what you think. And please share it with your women's ministry friends and event planners. I'm booking 2011 events now and would love to be with you. 
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I want to take a moment to brag about the great people at EVM, the producer of both this video and of my Solomon's Beloved video. First of all, they are always so patient with me (and if you know me and technology, that's a LOT of patience!). They worked with me from every angle to come up with just the right material, tone, and length. And they are more affordable than any reputable company I could find out there.
You can check out a portfolio of their video work here (Yes, I realize I'm not there yet, but maybe I'll show up one of these days…hint…hint…hint).
A couple of my author friends have also had EVM create their websites, and both are very happy with the results. EVM develops websites for writers, insurance agents, dentists, restaurants, and anyone else who needs a professional site for their business. If you have a minute, you might want to take a look at their website portfolio, too.
After working with EVM for years, I can tell you they have taken good care of me and have always delivered what they promised–and more! I look forward to working with them on several new video projects in the next year. As you can tell, I highly recommend them!
(Don't forget to check out the video. I think you'll like it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Statewide Prayer Retreat for Women
If you live in the Upstate SC area, I'd love to see you at Women Who Request by Prayer, a statewide women's prayer retreat, July 30-31 at Anderson University in Anderson, SC. I'll be speaking on The Prayer of Repentance and will be leading a Prayer Closet Session on Repentant Prayer. Other speakers at the upstate event include Ruth McWhite, Brenda Blankenship, and Tiffany Watkins.
The remaining SC retreats will be in Myrtle Beach October 1-2 and Winnsboro October 29-30.
For more information or to register, please visit the website.
Praying women can change the world!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I Need Your Kudos!
Had a new article published? Signed a contract? Released a new book? Have a new website or a new ministry? We want to celebrate with you!
Next week is kudos week, so contact me WITH THIS INFORMATION:
- NAME
- STATE
- GOOD NEWS
- LINK TO PUBLICATION, IF AVAILABLE AND APPLICABLE
- YOUR WEBSITE
Thanks! Can't wait to hear what God's been doing in your lives!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blog Tour Contest–Deadline July 15!
Do you have a 2010 book you want to share with the world? Well, here's your opportunity to get a free Blog Tour! (Remember to read and follow instructions carefully!)
Be sure to let me know if you enter your book in the contest and we'll announce it on the blog. Maybe we could generate some votes for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And even though I think I referred to this passage recently, it's exactly what we need to meditate on this Fourth of July week:
…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Humble…pray…seek…and turn. And then He will hear…forgive…and heal.
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
