USA (MNN) — It's back to school time in the United States. Parents are buying school supplies — backpacks, paper, pencils, and other needed items — everything needed to begin the school year. Children in other countries have similar needs for school but can't afford to buy them.
Orphan Outreach is just one organization that's trying to help meet these needs. Their approach is to conduct backpack drives around U.S..
Communications Director for Orphan Outreach Tiffany Taylor says Guatemala is just one country they're targeting this year. "In Guatemala, children start school in January. So we have just completed a number of our Mission Backpack campaigns. East Texas has collected about 500 backpacks that we need to get to those children when they start their school year in January."
How do they deliver these backpacks? Taylor says, "We're looking for looking for people who will come along with us to help us pass out those backpacks along with the love of Christ to these children."
If you've never gone on an overseas trip before, Taylor says, "This is an awesome opportunity for individuals and families. This team will be going to Guatemala City to minister and pass out backpacks and school supplies all over the Guatemala City area."
Following the backpack distribution each day, the team will spend time in an orphanage. "This orphanage has so many needs. They will be doing a vacation Bible school program for those children and really be able to share Christ with these kids, too."
This is a great trip for homeschool families, singles, and anyone else who's ever considered going on a trip, says Taylor. A limited number spots available. "We're hoping to have 20 people go," she says.
With a poor economy, you may be thinking you won't be able to raise the money needed to go. Taylor says they've seen over and over a large number of people who have been able to raise their support.
Bottom line, Taylor says, "If we don't have a team going, these kids are not going to be able to get their supplies, and more importantly, they are not going to learn about God and His plan for their lives unless we have team members willing to go and help pass out these backpacks."
The deadline for trip registration is October 16th. "It's really important to get your information in now, to let us know you're interested, and to ask us more questions. You can do all of that at our Web site."
To get more information, click here.
