Follow the Leader

By: Kaitlyn Miller

One of my favorite games to play with the kids in Malawi is follow the leader. It started by accident while in a village one day; I made a funny face and a beautiful little girl laughed then did the same. I stood up, so did she. I hopped on one foot, so did she. We both laughed and laughed. There are things that do not take words and sharing a smile and following an example are certainly those things.

This is a hard time in Malawi, storms and draught have plagued fields and hunger has spread with an estimated 2.8 million people without food this season. Planting will begin soon and relief for those whose food is already gone or running low will not come for months until harvest. What can we do to address this?

Last week, we talked to you about taking a child to lunch.  Having a hard time getting started? Let’s play follow the leader; check out these awesome stories we have been blessed with! It is amazing to see the creative and exciting ways our supporters have taken action in this time of need. We can do this!

Thinking about putting up a tree at work or in the community? Mickenzie Brownlow from Sweetwater, Texas did just that and more. Mickenzie has been to Malawi multiple times and to say it has stolen her heart is an understatement. Mickenzie says since her first time in Malawi she’s had a passion for those living in poverty and hunger. She has taken these passions and partnered with FCCLA in the past and DECA this year to bring change. 

Mickenzie has set up a mini Christmas tree at a local craft fair, in her school cafeteria, and at basketball games with our children’s tags as ornaments. She also set out baskets for people to donate to the school lunch program, purchasing desks for the school, or buying a goat for an orphan. To date, she has raised over $900! Way to go!

  “I have enjoyed every minute of it…because it just proved how big our God is and what he can do when we just look for opportunities and take a step in obedience,” said Mickenzie.

Want to set up a tree but the opportunity comes quickly and you don’t have tags? Gaye Russell from Abernathy, Texas had that exact situation this week. Gaye felt led to set up a tree and advocate for an additional hot meal for our children every day. She did not have time for us to get her tags but she did have creativity and passion. Mrs. Russell set up her tree at church with gift tags and ornaments with the children’s names on the back so it was still personal just without pictures. She was able to raise over $1,000 in one Sunday not because of elaborate presentation or a huge time investment but because she was faithful to follow God’s leading and gave others the opportunity to do the same!

Order your FREE set of tags today and set up your fundraising tree this Sunday at church, or next week in your school or office.

Interested in taking part but setting up a tree doesn’t seem to be a fit? Follow the lead with these other great ideas we’ve seen put into action:

Order your Advocacy Set of Cards today and use them in one of these ways:

-Use the take a child to lunch tags as gift tags on presents and give them to friends and family

-Buy lunches in honor of those around you for Christmas presents and give them to spread the word and show a beautiful child’s face.

-Use the children’s tag as stocking stuffers

-Put the tags on your own Christmas tree and give them to your holiday visitors

-Mail them out in your Christmas cards to loved ones

Do you feel you have other talents and ways to take a child to lunch and lead the others around you while doing it? We have had great members of our community step up and do just that! Have a small business with a good you can use as a promotion? We have seen great results from just that. We appreciate the sacrifice, creativity, heart, and effort! Use whatever way God has give you today!

Our thermometer is steadily rising towards our goal for #feedmalawi to provide hot lunch for our children and these small steps make a BIG difference. We are almost there and these acts can make it possible! Click here to donate to #feedmalawi and see the thermometer rise even more.