See that you continue...

... in this grace of giving. {2 Corinthians 8)

Soles for Soles has made awesome strides over the last 6 months to provide a (likely) $600 to send to Manuel, and the student effected by flooding in Cusco this month. This is awesome, and an admirable effort of all those who have contributed by prayer, fasting, and love. THANKS!

I listened to a sermon recently (Click here {the January 11th message}) that spoke of fasting, and the glory brought to the Lord from our diligence. Then Lent came, and I went with my typical apathy (that could be a sermon in itself. Its just a funny diet time for lots of people who don't respect the purpose. anywho.) and decided not to give up Diet Coke or ice dreams or Criminal Minds. But I realized how I lack discipline in many things. Time with scripture has replaced some of my tv time. Time with Jesus has replaced (some) of my Celine shower time. But those are very inwardly beneficial changes.

But what I'm talking about here is the OUTWARD disciplines. The things we can do to continue in this grace of giving. I don't have more money to send down personally. I don't have the resources to do those things. But I do have my hands, and my voice, and an interest in special needs.

Please consider fasting/ participating in Lentin discipline to continue the work of the Lord's hands on earth.

If you're in Athens, I've found some awesome ways to get out there and love people.

- Athens PBJs: meet outside of the grill Sundays at 2pm to deliver brownbag lunches (PB&J's) the homeless people.

- Mercy Health Center needs volunteers for spanish interpretation, emotional support, and other general things. Give them a holla: volunteer@mercyhealthcenter.net

- Let me know if you'd like to befriend a kick-a special needs person in Athens. I've got a couple I can loan you for lunch, and they LOVE the social time.

- Sponsor a kid. I know so many people have done Soles work with me, and its wonderful, but its not forever and not consistent. Consider your "tithe to the world" to go to child sponsorship through an organization. That's a hard discipline for me, but I have this picture of "Gedion" that I think actually broke my heart.

thanks sweet friends.

Here's the deal.

Ok, so due to the current not having sold of the mugs and bags, our total to send to Peru in March is $340.06. (However I am expecting a few more payments from people in Roswell and Phi Mu; total should be $598.06.) We are incredibly fortunate that a professor will likely be able to hand deliver the money to Marianela.

Please keep in prayer that this amount is enough! Or, alternatively, if you can think of anything else to be done- let me know!

Also, keep me posted if you want a mug or bag. They are winners.

You caught me.

The real reason I choose to call the project "Soles" now (instead of Soles for Soles) is because Jessica Simpson just started a non profit for children in Haiti with the same name (spelled differently, of course.)

Products up on facebook marketplace, whoop whoop!

Soles.

I usually call "Soles for Soles" just "Soles" because, gosh, isn't that easier? So, I officially am going to start calling it Soles online as well- since I do prefer writing in the vernacular.

I still have 5 or 6 shirts left. If you feel like you've missed your chance... you haven't!

We also have mugs for $7 and bags for $15. I'll post these on ebay, facebook, and here. The easiest way is to just email me/ send me a check. So, keep me posted if you're into it! skstello@gmail.com or solesforsoles@gmail.com

This wkend.

Had a great weekend! Here are some sweet photos.

 Mugs available to be shipped ( my apt is full of silly merchandise) $7 each, and precious. Contact me! skstello@gmail.com or solesforsoles@gmail.com

 Bags are on sale! Ready to be shipped. $15 each. They have adjustable should strap, water bottle pocket and pencil pouch. Yep. Contact me! skstello@gmail.com or solesforsoles@gmail.com

Snow Life

To the the quite miraculous snowfall in Milledgeville last night, Blackbird coffee (along with everywhere but the bars) closed early to prevent people from driving around in that nasty.

Tonight! We resceduled with the most gracious Yo Soybean (buying them a few PBRs didn't hurt) to play tonight at 8pm at blackbird.  I hope that this doesn't too much effect the turnout! I am REALLY looking forward to tonight, and am waiting with a quite expectant heart.

Love you all! Come on out.

She's got soles, but she's not a soldier - Features#more

She's got soles, but she's not a soldier - Features#more

Wu-oh, Soles for Soles featured on the front page of the GCSU colonnade.

Super stoked for tonight. I'll be posting pictures ASAP. We've got some awesome coffee mugs, tote bags, and t-shirts, along with the best band ever.

Oh, love is coming.

Shirts in! My apt is officially purple. And bags should be at my door step when I get back from class. Woo hoo! Looking so forward to what's to come.

Current State

In the wake of some truly devastating flooding to the Cusco area, God has provided Soles for Soles with some awesome fundraising opportunities.

- This Friday, February 12th Blackbird Coffee in Milledgeville is kindly hosting Yo Soybean (a folk alternacoustic band from the Alpharetta area) for a concert to benefit Soles for Soles.
- Concert starts at 8pm
- Admission is $3, and we'll have coffee mugs, a few extra shirts, and some hot bags to sell. SO excited!
- Blackbird Coffee is located in downtown Milledgeville on Hancock street

- The GCSU Colonnade is publishing a feature article about Soles for Soles! It'll hit the GCSU stands Friday. (Pick one up if you're in town for the concert!)

I received this email about Cusco and the Sacred Valley's current state:

Foreign press have been focusing on the evacuation of tourists from Machu Picchu due to the severe damage caused by floods and landslides in the Cusco region. However, the experience of these tourists being air-lifted out has no comparison with the atrocities locals in the Sacred Valley and southern Cusco valley have had to endure. Over 13, 000 houses were swept away and more than 60,000 people have been directly affected by the flooding. In the normal rainy season the Vilcanota river has a volume of between 600 and 800 m³ but now 1100 m³ a second was measured. Thirteen bridges over the river have been destroyed which makes logistics very difficult. Hundreds of hectares of corn crops have been ruined and this will cause serious economical setbacks for hundreds of families in the coming year. Local communities organised themselves with group kitchens and received basic food supplies and started cleaning the rubble of their houses, but these efforts lack co-ordination and there is no sign of any major reconstruction or rebuilding effort by national or regional authorities. The lack of leadership and organisation in most districts is obvious and disheartening.


- Right now, I am in prayer for the direction of the funds being raised this month. While Manuel certainly and quite desperately needs medication, the region effected by these floods directly touches all of the students. Unfortunately, the kids are on summer vacation and we will not know about their well being until March.  


Thanks for checking the news, friends. Love to you all. 
- Sara C. 

Why Soles is more important than ever.

The current rains in Cusco have damaged nearly 5,000 homes and 18,000 hectares of crops. 80,000 people have been made homeless, At least 12 have been killed, with even more missing.

While we've dealt with flooding in Atlanta this year- we haven't dealt with houses made from adobe. Most of my students lived in mud houses without toilets. Imagine the implications of water rushing in and over this type of house.

BBC has the best images I've seen to show what's up: Pics of flooding

This month Soles for Soles money is now going to the basic needs that Vivian, Manuel, Shakira and Miguel Angel need. They are likely without house, clothing, etc. They are definitely without clean water and food.  Donate Now to support.