A Fleet of Flip Flops

How many children in the world do not own even one pair of shoes? I Googled that question and tried to find a page that would even venture an educated guess, and I could not find anything.

So I asked the question on Wiki Answers. I haven't gotten an answer yet, but you can see it here if you want.

It's interesting how just a few months ago, we were reading all over about how poor the nation of Haiti is, we read how their food prices went up and people in that nation are eating cookies made out of dirt. The average yearly salary in Haiti is $60. Sixty dollars. A year.

Now, of course, Haiti is in the news again because they were hit over and over again by storm after hurricane after storm. Just in the past month, they've endured 4 different storms.

The people of Haiti are impoverished. They are hungry, thirsty, and hot. Many Haitians have little or no clothing, most of them have no shoes. Many of them are in spiritual bondage, practicing the religion of Voodoo, which is terrifying if you know anything about their practices.


Haiti has a special place in my heart because we have 2 cousins who live there. Patricia and Philippe are my little loves that aren't home yet. They are Dawn and Lee's kids, in the process of adoption (a very long process...). I love these two children with a passion that is indescribable. And they're not even mine! Patricia and Philippe have been touched by hunger, thirst, heat, and lack of clothing. And, they have been touched by evil.

They are currently in a fabulous Christian orphanage, with food and water, clothes and shoes. And school. And Bible lessons. With a family waiting for them.

Can you say, BEAU-TEE-FUL???!!!

P&P are safe and having their needs met, thanks to the wonderful people who support and run their orphanage. But there are still many outside their gates that are in the street, shoeless so their parents can afford to buy them food, even when that food is dirt cakes.

I am honored to be a part of a brand-new organization that is desiring to live out these verses. We are trying to see this need, and think "I can DO something about that!" and then MOVE.


The Flip Flop Fleet's mission is "To collect and distribute flip flops and sandals to those in need so no parent has to choose between feeding their children or getting them shoes."

The Flip Flop Fleet is Gospel-centered to the core. Providing physical needs in the name of Jesus, with prayer in each pair of shoes, knowing that little feet will inhabit each and every pair.

There is a special opportunity RIGHT now that YOU can help with, all over the US. In one or two weeks, this opportunity will be gone, so now is the time to MOVE.

It is the end of summer, so many stores are clearancing out their summer shoes/flips. WALGREENS (which are everywhere!) has kids' flip-flops that were originally $1.99, for 75% off.

That's $.50/each!

But WAIT, there's MORE!! (Do I sound like a cheesy infomercial yet??!!)

If you go in to your local Walgreens, ask to speak to the manager, tell them about what we're doing, and just simply ASK, there's a good chance that they will agree to selling the flips to you for .$25 each. I say this because so far we've been in about 8 different stores, and have not had a single manager even bat an eye at the request. "Absolutely" "Yes, definitely!" and "You're actually doing ME a favor by getting these off my shelves!" were just a few of the answers we got today.

I bought 24 pairs of flip flops today for $6. For 48 little feet.

If any of you feel a little tug on your heart, and have a Walgreens near you, we would LOVE to have you join us. Email me at alattetalk (at) gmail (dot) com or comment below if you're interested in jumping on board our fleet!

Thanks!

Matthew 25:35-40 (New International Version)

'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'