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South Dakota Children Send Stuffed Animals to Orphans in Uganda

Thursday, November 05, 2009

One hundred and thirty-five turtles arrived in a big box at World Help this week.  Not to worry . . .  They were toy stuffed turtles, a Vacation Bible School project from Northridge Baptist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota. 

The idea started with two VBS leaders who wanted to help the Bible School children share their hearts with orphans in Uganda. A young girl named Tiana colored a horse sitting in the sunshine and put stickers all over her note.  Other children from Tiana’s church drew hearts, wrote “Jesus Loves Me,” and scribbled unique drawings on more small notes.  Each note shared the same verses, Matthew 28:5-6, and each one came tucked inside the belly of a plush turtle, sewn out of fabric that says “God Cares.”

 

“They did their best and put their little hearts into it,” said VBS co-director Stephanie Johnston. “We were looking for a tangible way that they could share God’s love.”

VBS leaders coordinated the efforts so the box would arrive in time for World Help to hand-deliver the turtles to a children’s home in Uganda in mid-November.

Each child age 5 to fifth grade who sent a note also received an extra plush turtle to keep at home as a reminder to pray for the children in Uganda.  Stephanie said the children were touched that they could send something to comfort the orphans and bring smiles to their faces.

Amy Kahl, a VBS co-director who went on a previous mission trip to Uganda with World Help, said that the children helped send money to provide supplies such as band-aids and toiletries that year, and the children’s knowledge of her previous trip made them want to focus on Uganda again during their 2009 Crocodile Dock VBS program.

“While I was over there, I learned so much about the hope of God and how big God is in the midst of the impossible,” said Amy.  “These turtles were a way for us to send hope and comfort and remind the children there that Jesus loves them.”

World Help’s Director for Africa, Cyrus Mad-Bondo, said he plans to take the turtles with him to Uganda in November and will take lots of pictures of the Ugandan children as they receive their special plush turtles. 
“The kids in Uganda are going to be blessed by these special gifts,” he said.