Operation Kid-to-Kid^™ Blankets a Hurting World with God’s Love

Tonight in countries around the world, children will go to sleep hungry and cold, without parents, without homes…without hope. Now your ministry group can send a simple, tangible expression of God’s love to those in need.

Group Publishing, the premier publisher of children’s Bible curricula, including Sunday school and VBS, believes that some of the best ministers to children who are experiencing disaster and hardship are other children. Through the Operation Kid-to-Kid (OK2K) program, Group partners with nondenominational Christian ministries like Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) and World Vision to provide opportunities for children in North America to share God’s love with other children in difficult or disastrous situations. In 2009 alone, Operation Kid-to-Kid reached almost one million children. Since its inception 12 years ago, Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted over 4.5 million kids and their communities all over the world. Highlights include:

·        Over 100,000 care kits distributed to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Albania

·        More than 380,000 gift boxes sent to needy children worldwide

·        Over 310,000 pairs of shoes and 200,000 pairs of socks given to orphans across the globe

·        Over 1.5 million Spanish Bible books delivered worldwide

·        More than a million cuddly prayer bears and copies of The Survivor’s Bible provided free of charge to underprivileged children all over the world

“Operation Kid-to-Kid is a great way to teach kids compassion and service,” says Joani Schultz, cofounder of Group and OK2K. “Children learn by doing. It’s one thing to drop a nickel in the offering plate, but when kids make a gift with their own hands, when they can be creative and personal, this leaves a real impression on both the givers and the receivers.”

This year’s OK2K project is a simple no-sew fleece blanket that proclaims “God Loves Me!” right in the fabric. Each 56” by 42” blanket will also include a hidden surprise—a little white heart concealed between the fleece layers. The heart is a sweet secret kept by those who create the blankets, one that symbolizes God’s love for the world and our love for others. Project participants are encouraged to pray specifically for the unknown person who will receive the blanket as they tuck the heart inside.

The OK2K blanket can easily be incorporated into any Sunday school or VBS curriculum. This year, the “God Loves Me” blanket is included as a special activity in Group’s two new 2011 VBS programs, Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace and High Seas Expedition. The multi-generational participants will learn about the 40 million children around the world who are desperately vulnerable because of the AIDS pandemic and the effects of extreme poverty. Through Group’s partnership with World Vision, blankets created this year will reach children in Africa coping with the pandemic’s effects on their communities or families, including those who have been orphaned. Instructions for delivering the blankets to World Vision for distribution are included with each blanket kit. To make the gift extra special, churches can send a personalized “God Loves Me” coloring book with each blanket.

Over the years, OK2K has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world through gifts of school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible coloring books, and socks and shoes. But the ministry opportunities are not just for kids. Between recent natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and the lingering effects of the global economic crisis, there are more opportunities than ever for Christians to show the love of Christ to others in need—and not just for a VBS event. Operation Kid-to-Kid can mobilize service projects any time of the year. Because the “God Loves Me” blanket project is so simple and practical, it is a perfect fit for a variety of ministry opportunities, from youth or women’s groups and short-term mission trips to neighborhood outreach initiatives and ministry to the homeless. With a little imagination, a ministry group of any size and age can customize the project to support its own ministry vision.

“For many of us, a mission-focused heart is something that develops over time. Like any aspect of Christ’s character in us, loving others like Christ loves them takes practice. This is a lesson for adults as well as children,” says Schultz. “Hopefully, OK2K service projects like the ‘God Loves Me’ blanket will encourage Christians of all ages to commit greater time and resources to missions.”

To find out how you can get involved, visit www.ok2k.org!

Why would a hard-partying senior land in Pakistan as a missionary? Or a discourages, cut-from-three-teams freshman pioneer a sports ministry that reaches thousands with the gospel? It’s the same reason we see frozen hearts thawed, wounded souls healed, young leaders mentored, and searching minds grounded in faith–every year. Its because people like you choose to love our students in Jesus’ name.

You can make a life-changing difference in the lives of students. No Professional degrees are required and no special gifting is necessary. It’s all about God using your influence.

Whether you’re a full-time youth worker, parent, or volunteer, you;ll find this fast-paced guidebook packed with stories and ideas on:

• disciplining students
• running life-changing trips
• investing based on your passion and gifting
• recruiting and training partners
• dealing with crisis
• enlisting an army of prayer warriors
• sponsoring groups
• starting conversations with students
• raising money
• breaking thought the “I don’t want your attention” facade
• protecting your own soul and family inspiring church-wide support

Ideal for training volunteers, strengthening your group, or launching a new ministry, YOUthwork delivers decades of experience packaged for immediate application. Make sure everyone who works with students has a copy and watch God use your influence to change lives.

Is every hour rush hour at your house? If so, tell us about it. When you make a comment you’ll automatically be entered for your chance to win a FREE copy of Not So Fast!

When I interviewed Ann, I thought that she’d written this book specifically for the Bynum house. Tune in as she gives me tips and  advice on slowing down.

We’re raising our kids in a high-speed, high-pressured, 24-7 world. Pushing children to get ahead, we cram everything possible into our days to maximize their chance at success. We’re overloaded, overextended, and over-caffeinated. And we’re paying a price. But how can we possibly downshift without missing out.

Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families explores the jarring effects of our over-committed culture and offers refreshing alternatives with a Christian perspective. Author Ann Kroeker relates her own story of how embracing a slower everyday pave resulted in a more meaningful family and spiritual life. Practical ideas and insights will spark creativity and personal reflection. Plus, ponder real-life stories from parents reaping the fiches of a simpler, slower lifestyle. Not So Fast offers hope that families struggling with hurried hearts and frantic should can discover the rejuvenating power of an unrushed life.

To learn more about Ann Kroeker please visit www.AnnKroeker.com.

I had a great interview with husband and wife team, John and Kendra Smiley! They are down to earth, warm, and friendly. We had big fun discussing personality types, how we react when presented with conflict, and how our actions affect our children.

The Smileys explained to me that when I enter into the “silent mode,” that’s called pouting. Apparently my children inherited the pouting characteristic from me, and all these years I’ve been blaming their father (smile).

I recommend this book to anyone who has children or those who are planning on having children. The Smileys gave excellent practical tips and advice for parents. Listen in for more details or visit www.parentinglikeapro.com.