Sunday, August 16, 2015

Josephine's Children update --- Party Time!!!

After months of anguished waiting, travels across oceans to the other side of the world, miscommunication, "lost boxes", suspected attempts to "pirate" the last 2 boxes, and even an attempt to possibly hold them for ransom.... the prayers of the children have been answered!  All 3 boxes have safely arrived to the school and the children are inviting all of you to their celebration party...

 Dear Vicki,
Today the 4th of august 2015, our long awaited day has come to pass! The gifts have been given away... the children as you can see in the photos are all very happy and excited.. we have kept a few gifts for those that are in boarding school and all the craft items will be made to use during the holidays.

I can't express my sincere gratitude but I am so thankful for the time you took to help with my project and we will always be grateful for all that  you have done to help us.

Children have told me to pass on their sincere gratitude to you and for making their school time enjoyable. The items that were bought are very essential to them and will lift up their self esteem as many didn't have bags, shoes to walk to school. As the new term begins in September they will be even more happy to share the joy with friends.

Thank you for taking part in this project... I pray for more blessings and opportunities from you.
Josephine



 
 
Dear Vicki,
Indeed its a miracle! I am reading this mail just now and I just cannot stop smiling and thanking God for making this possible! when hope was almost fading. We were so worried and had put all our joy at a stand but we prayed silently but God has answered our prayers. The children are going to be happy again!

I am all ready with two cameras with different persons to take photos, I want every moment to be captured and sent to you and Sue. I can't stop to thank you and Sue and husband for all the effort, time and energy that you have given this project..no words can express that but I and the children have already started to design something for you and Sue to show how we have appreciated.

Thank you for making this possible! you are so dear and near our hearts.
Josephine
 
 
 these boxes have had enough "adventures"
to fill a novel!  
without going into great detail,
let me just say that
truly the power of prayer
has brought this wonderful
celebration 
to the children...
 
these photos were taken
by Josephine 
at the "opening of the boxes"
party for the children. 
 
 
 
 school supplies,
book bags, shoes,
and personal items were distributed
to the children at the
party..
 
Josephine related to me that many
of the children did not have shoes
to wear to the school ---
these boxes arrived
at the most perfect time!
 
 
 
 
 the children all received
a new Teddy Bear..
 
 
look at these happy faces!!






Can you imagine how proud
this beautiful young girl is feeling
right now! 


one of my favorite photos..
such a beautiful young girl..

this little fella
is all decorated with sticker dots
for his celebration!

I can just feel the excitement
of the children
as I look at these photos..


I would give anything
to hug this precious 
little girl...



I love her...



I love the colorful book bags
that Sue selected for these 
children..



so precious..
truly a celebration
and party for these children!
 
 

these children are going 
to be stylin'
when they go back to school!
 
 
 
this photo makes my heart smile--
they didn't even want to take
their back packs off
to eat!



 Dear Vicki,
We haven't done something with the craft supplies yet, we are still sorting and organizing them.
My plan is to start using them during the holidays when everybody is around... they are all very nice items that were donated from the bottom of hearts.  
 
I have to tell you that all of the items are very lovely and when you look at them and some bear notes, that you see the love that people have towards noble causes.
My regards,
Josephine   



Finally, 
this dream has come true
for the children...
~~
My heartfelt thanks to 
all of you who played a part 
in bringing these
wonderful treasures to the children
in this place so very far away...
~~
Your gifts, donations, money,
and most of all your prayers
have made this happen.
~~
My very special thanks to Sue
for all the efforts that she and her husband
made in purchasing the items
and organizing them to be mailed.
~~
I also want to thank my dear friend Mary,
who allowed us to use her business
address for you all to mail the packages.  
Mary carried packages home almost every day
for weeks upon weeks
as your donations begin to come in!
~~
So many people,
so many loving hearts,
have made this dream come true...
xoxoxo
 
 Updates from me...
Where has this summer gone?? Have you been as busy as me? Ive so many projects started -- nearly completed -- frantically trying to finish everything so that I can share it with you!  
 
I've been on some travels... a lovely week at the beach in Florida, a "girltrip" to Michigan,  I've been making jams this summer, knitting like crazy,spending time with grandbabies, and trying to relax a little,...
 
Fall is in the air, I can feel it, even smell it. As much as I do love the change of seasons, I would love for our summer to last a bit longer.  
 
My "journal" giveaway has ended, the winners posted and the journals are on their way to Australia, United Kingdom,... only 1 winner was from the United States!  All the rest went to Europe and down under!!
 
I will be back in a few days with a little summer project that I am so very anxious to share with you -- a little summer surprise for you all...
 
Love,love,
Vicki 

30 comments:

Sue Kosec said...

Yes - I still get all soft when I see these pictures. I would have given anything to have been there to watch these children. I can't even imagine!

All the planning, shopping, packing and waiting ...

These pictures make it all worthwhile.

Thank you so much for INVITING me to be such a big part of this endeavor.

I love you!
xo
SuZeQ

krayolakris said...

Have you ever seen such beautiful smiles? I can't hold back the tears. So happy!

Elderberry-Rob said...

This project was a much bigger operation than I imagined, congratulations on putting a smile on so many childrens faces.

Julia said...

Thank you so much Vicki for the good news. I had almost given up hope that these three boxes would reach the children but " No one messes with God's plans for Josephine's children" It couldn't have arrived at a better time.

My summer has been so busy here too and Like you, I feel the change of season already too soon.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and God bless your sweet heart.
Hugs,
JB

Mereknits said...

Vicki, this absolutely made my day, I have tears in my eyes viewing all these beautiful children and their Joy. Thanks to you that is.
Hugs,
Meredith

Amy at love made my home said...

How wonderful for the children! They all look so very happy and Josephines happiness pours through in her words. You are a great and wonderful person for organising this and bringing such great happiness and joy to these children Vicki!!!! You deserve great praise for organising such wonderful work!!!! xx

Julie said...

A heartwarming post, such happy smiling faces. Well done to all involved. xx

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

What emotion I felt loved Vicki to see the pictures and happy faces of children. Children settle for so little. It was an adventure for the boxes to reach them and now enjoy.
I'm glad I put a bit for those happy faces.
Count me when needed.
A hug
Maru
Chile

Joyful said...

So happy for the children that the parcels have arrived.

Seeing the joyous looks on every child's face is a wonder to be hold. These children will surely remember the day for years to come for this was a day of blessings of the Lord upon them. Thanking God for answered prayer.

Lorraine said...

Seeing these very happy little faces really makes my day Vicki!

Createology said...

Thank you Vicki Dear for this wonderful update. I am truly grateful I was able to help support the needs for these amazing children. Thank you also to Sue, her husband and Mary, you Vicki and every person who made this project successful. Blessings to all...

Marlynne said...

Congratulations on a fantastic project completed! "Well done thy good and faithful servant"!

Anne's Attic - Design said...

Vickie, what a wonderful wonderful post. To see the smiles on these beautiful children just made my heart melt inside. This was like a slug of Christmases for them, if they even understand what Christmases are like in the states for us. So glad that you and your friends were there for these little ones. If this is done again I would love to help. Thank you for a recharge to day. Hugs, Jo

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

So many surprises and delighted faces.
The childrens' excitement definitely shines through in these great pictures.
Wonderful! Wonderful!

Sandies' Patch said...

Wonderful, heart-warming news! Blessings to all of you xxx

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Vicki, it was a blessing to be included in this project of yours and Sue. I deeply appreciate being included and reminded of the children's song...Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Linda said...

Thanks for sharing the joy and journey. Blessings, Linda

Annie said...

What a joy to see the excitement literally leaping off the page.

Down On The Farm said...

"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me." I am sad that I was not aware of this project, next time I will pay more attention so that I can help out as well. Thank you SO MUCH for the beautiful journal. I cherish it!! Blessings to you my sweet friend!!

Ariadne said...

Congratulations for your efforts and the end result!This is really a great charity to do. AriadnefromGreece!

Tanya said...

Well, now I need to go find a Kleenex...choked up beyond words, my dear, sweet friend! Happy, happy, joy, JOY!!! XOXOXO

Dorthe said...

The pictures of theese children says it all, dear Vicki, you and everyone else contributed to this wonderful idea, made their days long ahead of what we see here, -the gifts so normally for almost every child in US and Europe, are for these kids, something many of them would not have dreamed about!!!
You are a blessing dearest friend !!!
Love from Dorthe

Anonymous said...

Oh Vickie this makes my heart melt. It truly is a joy to see all the children receiving these gifts. They all look very excited. Especially the older ones. I hope you can go visit them one day. THEY WOULD LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! I can see them hugging on you and never letting go. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of this. And I thank God that everything arrived !!!! Xxxoo

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Party time indeed. The looks on those sweet faces just say it all. Blessings on you and your friend Sue for all that you did to give the children such joy.

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh Vicki every picture here gives just a hint of the joy and happiness in the hearts of the children being gifted with their shoes, bags, books, pencils etc. I am sure you and Sue would have longed to be there as the children opened their parcels.
You are a blessing to so many and appreciated by so many. It was a huge effort by so few to achieve such a rewarding result.
Thanks for sharing these images with us. I am sure Sue is so happy to be viewing these too.
Love and hugs,
Suzy

Seawashed said...

I left a comment on this post the other day but it does not look like it went through. I am so happy the treasure chest made it to the children. It truly is beautiful to see there faces. xo

Mosaic Magpie said...

Those beautiful smiles....priceless.
xo,
Deb

Quinn said...

Thank you so much for posting all these heartwarming images!
I have been having a subdued morning, after reading a blog post that made me very sad about how truly awful people can be. Thank goodness I decided to catch up with 2 Bags Full! Now I have tears in my eyes, but also a strengthening in my heart.
Thank you, and thank you for all the effort you and Mary and Sue and her husband put into this project, over such a long period of time - I was glad to have the opportunity to make my little contribution.

Sheryl said...

Vickie, I was so pleased to have read your update about these children. Seems so long ago since this wonderful project was carried through and the goods shipped off. I thought that they might have gone astray, such a long journey, so seeing these wonderful photos at last has really made my day. All your and Sue´s hard work is so well awarded just to see these happy children. I hope there will be more photos at a later date seeing the children using some of the craft goodies sent.

Lady of the Manor said...

Vicki, I've just had time to read this post and I'm so happy the supplies reached our friends in Africa!! Thank you to you and your crew for taking care of the logistics! Our little donations really added up to a lot. Isn't it amazing what God can do?! Blessings to these little ones. Zenda