06/10/2023
While attending Whimmydiddle & after, many have asked what I'm currently supporting with Lauren's Treat.
A few years ago, after the completion of 8 homes in Nicaragua, I started supporting Bethel Orphanage. Here is a cool story they just posted today, so wanted to share!
Happy Friday, friends!
I’m almost embarrassed to be typing this, I promised to post the pics from the August/September amazon gift haul, but it feels like I blinked and it was already October. I feel like September was a whirlwind of emotions, with the passing of one of our staff, helping her kids process it all and honestly, processing it ourselves as a group.
I forgot to share this story and I think it’s an important one, so please bear with me while I play a little catch up and update yall.
This is Alan. He’s been at Bethel since he was 7 years old. We have watched him grow into such a responsible, intelligent, determined young man. When I moved to Bethel full time (almost seven years ago), he was in junior high. When he went into high school, I was the one who took him to school and helped with homework (well, I tried, haha, I don’t think I even really understood math back in the day, much less all these years later). He always kind of kept to himself and didn’t put forth a ton of effort into school, so I was really worried about how he would do in college. When the time came, he didn’t just do all his work, he went above and beyond. He found a major he was passionate about (computer programming and graphic design). The day after he gets out for any school break, he’s working at the orphanage, not for money, to “pay us back for everything we have given him” (I still make sure to give him at least a little something every week).
In August, he asked if he could talk to me. He said that he wanted to start saving any money he could to buy a new laptop. He explained that the one he had a was super old and that it was creating problems for him at school, keeping him from being able to complete certain assignments and it was constantly turning off and over heating. One thing you need to know is that he never asks for anything, so I knew I had to help him but I wasn’t’ sure how I could afford a new laptop for him. When I did the August/September amazon wish list, I also received some money for school stuff. I knew that laptops online can get pricey, but I thought, what can it hurt to take a look. I go on and start scrolling when I notice a laptop that is normally $1400 on a lightening sale for $400. Haha, isn’t God so cool? He loves to surprise us and give us the desires of our hearts. So I send Alan a pic and say, hey is this a good laptop?
His reply, “You’re joking, right? That’s an awesome computer!”
So we bought it. It was so cool to see his face when he opened the box and started setting everything up. We gave thanks to the Lord for yall. He teared up and honestly treats the laptop like his firstborn child haha!
I just want to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart. You are helping change these kids lives. Alan now has the tools he needs to finish college, his future is bright and it’s because of your support and generosity. We don’t take it lightly, we give thanks daily for all of you.
I will be posting pics of the teens and all the gifts yall got in my stories, but I will still be sharing stories on here.
Love you, friends.
-Anna