Can you sign my shirt?

I started off September with a trip to Missouri. My dad, Linnea and I drove down to Neosho to visit family. We volunteered for a day in Joplin, tearing out the floor of a home. Joplin was hit by a huge tornado in May. The tornado tore right though town, not only taking out one of Joplin’s hospitals, but also the majority of it’s school and killing over 160 people. I’ve been going to Joplin my whole life and I lived there in 2005… it was surreal going back.

Google's picture 1220 Roland... pre-tornado.

1220 Roland post-tornado... crazy.

Dad & I pulling up the floor.

Yep... I wore my TOMS =)

Almost done!

On our way home we went to Kansas City, Missouri so that I could speak at Paxton School. I was asked in as a guest author by the Librarian, Jennifer Day, to speak to the entire school of 4^th and 5^th graders (just under 400 students). I hadn’t spoken to Jen in probably 10 years when she reached out to me on Facebook. She asked if I could come share how I wrote the book as well as some of my experiences in Mozambique. I was both thrilled and honored that she would ask… and was very excited for this opportunity!

I was given the choice of speaking to small, medium or large groups. I went with small and so I shared eight times in two days! The students were so amazing though! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they paid attention and asked really good follow up questions.

I showed part of my trip video and asked the students some questions while pointing out similarities and differences from USA to Moz. I walked them though my writing process as well as my picture taking process. I also brought in some fabric from Moz and showed how woman would wear it and how they would use it to carry their children and babies. I used volunteers for that and let the students carry around baby dolls. In conclusion I challenged them to dream big… and think of how they can help others.

The funniest thing was being asked if I could sign their shirts or their arms… I said no =) The coolest thing was that two girls came up to me afterwards and asked “If we give you something will you bring it to Mozambique?” I said, “Sure.” They took their headbands off of their heads and gave them to me. After school the same two girls came in and gave me a ponytail holder and pair of glasses with no lenses. I was so touched. It’s not about how much you give, but about giving of what you have. Kids are just so amazing!

September has been a great kick-off to my fundraising. As of today, I’m 39% to reaching my goal that will allow me to go to Mozambique this winter, but I’m only at 7% of my overall monthly support needed. Which means I’ve gotten a good amount of one-time donations (including book sales) and have just scratched the surface of monthly donations.

My goal is to reach 50% of my monthly support by the time I leave this winter and raise the other 50% after I return in March. Lots of goals I know, but I’m a detail person… most of your eyes would cross if I showed you the Excel Spreadsheet I’ve put together to track donations and sales!

If you would like to host a party at your home, church, school or anywhere you can think of please email me at amanda@thedream-project.org.

Prayer:

- Trip to Atlanta – October 19^th – 26^th.

- Helder (one of the boys) was hit by a car last week. His injuries were minor, but he had a few stitches on his head and scraped up his arms and hands.

- Fundraising =)

- My health… as I’ve been feeling a little under the weather this week.