Looking Back and Forward

2018 in Review

Our hearts are full as we consider all that God has done through The Encouragement Project in 2018! He has taken our humble efforts and has brought forth so much more:

2019 Vision

HUGS AND KISSES
With a goal at the beginning of last year of 3,000 Hugs and Kisses, we are so thankful to have gotten fairly close — just over 2,500 handmade hats, scarves, blankets, mittens, shawls and baby booties were lovingly made and donated by our incredible volunteers. These beautiful items were given to those in need of warmth and encouragement. Needs for basic things (like simple warmth) are far greater than we can imagine, and often much closer to us than we realize. 

THE BOOK DROP
We had around 2,500 new and gently used children and young people’s books donated in 2018. Of the many books we gather and pass along to needy kids, most are given out at the end of the school year and over the summer. This gives kids access to reading materials at home (especially while they are away from school) who would not otherwise have many reading options at all. It is such a blessing to help children gain access to books, thus improving literacy and imagination. 

WRITERS BLOCK
​While I had intended (out of what I thought was necessity) to set this part of The Project aside for a time at the end of 2017, God sure had other plans. There were two book projects that needed to be written and edited this past year for one of the missionaries we work with, and we’ve added a new missionary (from Ukraine) who has joined the group of those we help with text editing. There are so many ways to bless others, and this is one of my favorites. 

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​There is always a sense of anticipation for what God will do in fresh, new months of a new year. Here are a few things that we are praying for and hoping to see in 2019:
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• 3,000 HUGS AND KISSES
• 2,500 CHILDREN'S BOOKS
• 1,000's of WORDS WRITTEN AND EDITED
• COUNTLESS PEOPLE HELPED, ENCOURAGED, and SHOWN THE LOVE OF JESUS

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There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of workings,
but the same God works all of them in all men.
​1 Corinthians 12:4-6