Excited children in Zambia with their Buck's Toys items.
When we returned from that first trip in 2012, we began getting phone calls. "What kind of toys are you taking to Africa? I want to donate! What size? What type.." Kind friends and acquaintances saw the pictures we posted and graciously wanted to help. Initially, I thanked them, but turned down the offer, and let them know we didn't know if we would ever go back. God had given us this one unbelievable redemptive trip and maybe that was all?.... But the phone calls kept coming. I finally told Thomas that I was going to accept any donations offered. God would bless people for giving and we believed that He would also tell us what to do with the toys. Our garage began to fill up very quickly!
Amazing UCA students prepping for Africa.
Early 2012 I was talking with Chi Alpha missionary, Matt Carpenter. (No relation, but we would definitely claim him as family!) I knew he had made many trips to Africa, so I told him about our donations and asked how we could possibly get things sent over. His reply at that moment dumbfounded me. "I'm taking a team of students this summer. We'll carry 100 bags of items for you."
I thought my heart would burst! The collections became very intentional then and soon we had enough for 250 children to have a notebook, pencil, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a toy, all in one bag.
Evan Nesbitt in Africa, 2013
It was an honor to meet with the amazing, on fire, UCA (University of Central Arkansas) students. We shared our story and thanked them for helping to fulfill our sons wish while meeting the needs of others. Little did we know that our incredible future son in law was on this team. We would connect with him a few months later.
Redemption has a domino effect. When it begins, only God knows where it will go and how many lives it will touch in the process.
As 2014 began, UCA committed to carrying bags over once again. This time we bought bigger bags that could carry more items. People graciously continued to donate and our number of children reached more than doubled.
Precious friends in their Buck's Toys shirts.
Buck's school also asked to help. The children gave items and even stuffed the bags to send over. More redemption! Thomas and I never asked for any toys or other items, and to this day have not. I'm convinced when God wants to do something, He puts it in the hearts of His people to be His hands and feet. Willing vessels say yes and are so blessed because of it.
The Lord blessed us to be able to return to Africa in 2014, only this time with our daughters. Many friends purchased a t-shirt that helped make our dream of getting to go back and take Jenel and Lexa a reality.
About this time we created a website for people interested in what we began to call, "Buck's Toys." www.buckstoys4africa.org
Our family in Zambia, 2014
We never imagined giving away Buck's own toys would turn into a continual ministry. Only God knew (and still knows) where that first trip would eventually lead and how it would change the course of our life's ministry completely.
No comments:
Post a Comment