My First Soccer Ball!!

Well it doesn't take long for people to get the mission and help!! Before the invite even went out, Macey received the first ball for a child in Africa!!  She was soooo excited!!  It came from none other than a great soccer buddy!!  We think this ball is for a sweet GIRL in Africa!! God knows who you are and we think you are going to love it!!  Thank you sweet Megan!!

History in the making

Two years ago, Macey eagerly asked if she could adopt a child from Compassion International.  We had prayed about it since it was a monthly commitment and wanted to be sure it would have a lasting impact on our family.  We had no idea what impact it would have!!!  In July of 2009, Macey adopted Daniel (Dien) from Indonesia.  We write him regularly and hear from him as well.  Macey quickly plastered pictures of Dien in her room and started praying for him regularly.  He and his family became a constant topic of conversation in our home and was used as examples for how blessed we are.  In May of this year, Macey was asked to pray before our church congregation for those who live in poverty stricken areas of the world.  She bared her heart and The Lord was given praise.  Around October of this year; with a heart full of humility and passion, Macey told Todd and I that all she wanted for Christmas was another Compassion child.  We could see the Lord working and tugging at her heart.  We could hear the sincerity in her voice.  We praised The Lord that she was seeing what we were placed on this Earth to do; help others in need, think of others before ourselves, and give honor and glory to our God most high.  Christmas morning, Macey jumped for joy as she read Mohammad's biography.  She was quickly saddened as she learned that Mohammad lives in Africa without a Father and a Mother.  Just as we write Dien, we write Mohammad as well.  It is heart warming to know that there are amazing organizations such as Compassion and Serv Ministries that truly change children's lives.  Through Dien and Mohammad's stories, our children have come to understand a little about how other children live.  They were shocked as they learned that what we daily take for granted, others will never even see.  They were shocked to learn that small things such as macaroni and cheese and soccer balls are precious over there.  Macey wanted to help others like Dien and Mohammad enjoy one of the things she loves the most; soccer!!!  She decided that since her birthday was approaching, it would be fun to collect soccer balls for boy and girls in Africa.  We had no idea how this would happen or what was about to transpire.  We suddenly became very excited and started spreading the news and oh how the news did spread!! Something so little and a forethought in a 10 year old's mind quickly became huge.  In January, I was told through my sister (Macey's Aunt) that the President of Serv Ministries in Atlanta had heard of our project and would be traveling to Kenya in May.  He told us that he would LOVE to carry as many balls as Macey could collect with the team on their trip.  We couldn't believe it; a straight path into the heart of Africa!  After taking the news in, Macey quickly got a saddened look on her face.  She told us that even though this was great, she would be sad not to see the end of the story.  What would the children do when they were given their very first soccer ball?  Todd and I both told her that we serve a big God and we needed to commit that to prayer.  The very next day we learned that their would be a college student going with the team to Africa to take pictures!  Wow!  Joe Garcia from Serv Ministries excitedly told us that we would get to see lots of pictures of the kids receiving their balls.   Since that amazing day, we have also learned of two other teams that are wonderful and eager to take soccer balls to Africa.  Into The Streets of Ethiopia is an amazing organization that raises funds to provide formula to 40+ orphans each month in Ethiopia.  Dr. Meredith Denton who will be traveling to Malawi to help as a physician in an orphanage in just 2 short weeks, will be taking balls as well.
God is an amazing God and with him we can do amazing things together!!  We need your help!!  Please join us in changing children's lives simply by donating a soccer ball or more.  To us, it is so simple.  To the less fortunate, it might be the only ball they ever see!!
We will be collecting soccer balls (preferably ball sizes 3 and 4) on Saturday, March 5 from 2 pm to 5 pm at Shadowbend Park in The Woodlands, Texas.  Please spread the word to your family and friends!!  Children will be able to make cards for the kids in Africa who will be receiving the soccer balls.
We encourage you to check Macey's blog regularly as we will update with stories and pictures of the soccer balls arriving in Africa.  We also encourage you to check out the following websites which have all been instrumental in this amazing adventure!!!


www.compassion.com
www.intothestreetsofethiopia.blogspot.com
www.servintl.org
www.puremission.org

"Kicking" for Him,

The Crowders