We kicked off Poverty Week yesterday. Our goal is to bring to light those around us that are living in hunger and poverty. We’re also going to be looking at ways that we can help (on Thursday). Today I want to share with you a story of a young boy who is trying to make a difference. Here’s a letter I got last weekend in the mail from an 11 year old boy who lives in Oklahoma.
“Dear Trey,
My name is Trae. I am 11 years old and have just started 6h grade. I met you this spring when you spoke at our church in Tecumseh.
This summer I watched the video about the group that went to Honduras to minister to the children in The Dump. It touched my heart and inspired me to do something to help. We made a lemonade stand and sold cold lemonade, brownies and cookies on a hot July afternoon. We also made signs that would explain what the money would go to. People in our community were kind and generous. We raised $116. I remember from the video about the boy who was trying to raise money for his family and hoped to get about $4 a day. I figured that we had raised almost a month of money for a boy like him and we only worked 5 hours. It was a blessing to get to help.
My family and I are praying and hoping that we will get to be a part of the mission trip in December. In the meantime we are praying for you and your family.
In Christian love. Your friend,
Trae
PS – I’ve enclosed some pictures of my cousins and me along with the $116 check.
Stories like these remind me of two things …
1. Anything is possible with a little effort. You just have to be willing.
2. Jesus knew what he was talking about when he said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Later I’ll tell you about my young friend Christopher and how he’s helping feed hungry people. Thanks for stopping by during Poverty Week.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Awesome story bro. Haylee has been talking about doing something similar. I’m proud of her for that!
What an awesome story and a wonderful kid!! We can definitely learn SO much from children! Way to go, Trae!! Thanks for your great example…praying many will follow!!
Okay, so here I sit crying my eyes out. This young boy is so awesome. What a wonderful inspiration. May God bless his sweet spirit!
Awesome story! What a blessing. Thank you Trey…
Love that story! Did you tell him he misspells his name?
I thought his name needed an “ey” too.
Love this! I’m glad he sent pictures.
Was blessed to be in Childress on Sunday when your lesson focused on our riches and on the poverty of the world around us. Poverty week is an interesting concept and I really do like the fact that you are dedicating 2% of the year to drawing attention to a problem that is 100% of the year for more than 1/2 of the world. Somebody told me that folks in the USA understand being “broke” but, the concept of poor is just not “in your face”. I live in one of the poorest places in the world and I do not understand it. I do know that Jesus expects us to put ourselves face to face with the poor so that we can know that we are all made by him and in his image. I am no longer afraid to be poor and have a real fear of being rich and looking the other way. I am blessed to be your brother.
I’d like to think that I focus on poverty and helping others just a little more than 2% or one week out of the year.
I know that you are much more focused on the needs than 2%. Thanks for all you do to focus our attention this 2% of the year on the poor of the world around us.
Marcos … you know I’m rib’n you.
I love how kids are incapable of seeing barriers. They only see the possibilities.
Totally agree. We need to “become like little children…”
[...] Children Can Teach Us Much (Poverty Week) [...]
Trae,
I am very thankful and excited that there are lots of other people who have a heart for the poor and are helping people in poverty. I was very blessed to read what you and your cousins were doing in your town for the people in Honduras. I am going to pray for you and your family to get to go to Honduras in December.
Christopher (steward of Mission Ice Cream)