Stephen left today for his trip to Guatemala (although he is in Houston for tonight).  He toted a large bag of shoes for my daughter.

I want to thank all of you for your incredible response to helping Isabel.  It warms my heart. I see her sparkle with each pair coming in. She wanted 20 pairs of shoes and we received funding and shoes for 60 little feet (30 pairs of shoes).  How cool is that?

Here is something else that is quite fun. A celebrity will be helping with the “Shoe drop.”   The purpose of Stephen’s trip to Guatemala is to hang with Michael W. Smith and his wife and family on behalf of Compassion International.  They will be visiting Compassion projects, going to the dump where many kids salvage through garbage, visiting an orphanage and giving out the shoes.  Sunday night, Michael has a concert in Guatemala.   Keely will be taking pictures and Spence Smith will be helping with the trip too.

So that is that!  My husband promised me he would write a post to tell us about this trip and how it goes, and Keely will be providing some photos.  So I expect something from Stephen on Sunday or Monday for Jonesbones5 blog.  Be watching!

Finally, for those you who don’t know, my husband has worked for Compassion for 16 years and oversees the Artist and Speaker program (artists w/ Compassion).  He has an amazing staff that introduces Christian speakers and musicians to the ministry of Compassion.  These amazing people then speak on behalf of the poor to their audiences. Michael W. Smith has been with Compassion for as long as I can remember and because of him, thousands of kids have been sponsored and lives have been changed!  He has been an amazing advocate and we are grateful for his ministry.

So be watching for Stephen’s post! Also, if you are interested in getting on board with Compassion, here is a link to sponsor a child!