Church members donate shoes for Stuff for the Poor in Africa
Providence Rubingisa's story of providing Stuff for the Poor inspired action by the LOGOS program at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.
After seeing an article in the Daily Herald, the church's mission committee and LOGOS members from kindergarten through eighth grade invited Rubingisa, 44, of Warrenville to speak about his ministry.
His story inspires all who hear it -- how he lost four siblings in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and barely escaped with his life after speaking out against the killings in Rwanda in 2002.
Since seeking asylum in the United States, he has the goal helping people in his homeland with Stuff for the Poor. The program's goal is alleviating poverty by recycling for the poor. Details are available online at www.stuffforthepoor.com.
At First Presbyterian Church, the LOGOS group meets Wednesdays, September to March. It is the intention of the mission committee to provide opportunities for hands-on mission projects both at LOGOS and Sunday school, as well as summer projects and special events to gain a better understanding of the world.
So after hearing Rubingisa speak, the LOGOS families, along with other church members, brought in 480 pairs of new and gently used pairs of shoes. The shoes were sorted, bagged and delivered to Rubingisa, who is storing the shoes in lockers until they are full. At that time they will be sent to Africa.
First Presbyterian Church is hoping to continue to contribute to this important mission as an ongoing mission project for the youth.
Other mission projects included a neighborhood food drive, collecting items for birthday parties and donating decorated bags with goodies for People's Resource Center, and sorting and stacking food at the Milton Township food pantry.
In November 2007, 71 youth participated in "Hoops of Hope" and raised $3,200 for World Vision. At the church, they had two clean-up days and had two visiting days when youth visited some of the older members of the church.
The church is at 715 N. Carlton Ave., Wheaton. For details, visit www.firstpreswheaton.org or call (630) 668-5147.