News from Samaritans Feet

September 2009 eNewsletter www.samaritansfeet.org

Samaritan's Feet eNewsletter

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President of Burundi washes feet and distributes shoes with Samaritan's Feet!

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza knows a little something about living life without a pair of shoes. Orphaned at age 5, Nkurunziza spent many years in the jungle fleeing from conflicting tribal groups trying to kill him (five of his six siblings have died as a result of civil war). Most of us can't identify with the plight of living hand to mouth in a treacherous jungle; but his situation was exasperated due to his lack of footwear and the constant painful cuts, scratches, and bruises stemming from his inability to afford the cost of even one pair of shoes (a month's wages in many regions).

Despite years of painful hardships, Nkurunziza rose through the ranks of politics and was elected President of Burundi in 2005. Nkurunziza's personal faith in God has driven his desire to help reconcile the conflicts between the Burundi tribes. In August, President Nkurunziza joined Samaritan's Feet on 'Burundi Day of Service', washing feet and providing new shoes to orphans.

"I am excited to be a part of this incredible journey," said President Nkurunziza. "To be able to wash the feet of the poorest of the poor in my country is an honor and a blessing that God is allowing me to do. My goal is to work with Samaritan's Feet to put shoes on the feet of a million children in Burundi. We are striving for reconciliation and peace through this act of servanthood. We want to empower Burundians to give back."

Can you help Samaritan's Feet reach the children of Burundi with a message of hope and a pair of new shoes? One $5 donation will transport one pair of new shoes to a Burundi orphan. For $25, five children will receive new shoes. Join us TODAY!

Our Samaritan of the Week-

The City of Mission, Kansas!

Footpaint

What do you get when you combine a 5,000 square foot mural, 860 'painters', 25,000 footprints, and multiple gallons of paint? Simple! You earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the Largest Painting Made with Footprints; and in the process, raise shoes and funds for Samaritan's Feet!

In partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church, The City of Mission, Kansas spearheaded the Barefoot Event on September 18th in conjunction with the city's annual Arts & Eats Festival. Adults and children alike donated one dollar or a pair of shoes for the opportunity to shed their shoes and leave their footprint on the enormous mural.

Over a thousand dollars was raised through the historic event. The donation will be used to help Samaritan's Feet ship a container of shoes to an international location.

Thank you citizens of Mission, for your inspired event that not only set a world record, but will also improve the lives of hundreds of impoverished children. It is our honor to designate you our Samaritan of the Week!

Do you have a creative and fun idea to call attention to the plight of children in need and help us raise shoes and funding for Samaritan's Feet? We would love to hear from you! Share your ideas with us by clicking HERE!

Issue: 6

Love to Golf? Join us at the Samaritan's Feet Charity Golf Event! Click GOLF for details!

In This Issue

Burundi President

Samaritan of the Week

Casa Moraga Orphanage

Casa Moraga Orphanage blessed with new shoes!

Lisa and John Greene

We at Almas Unidas - 'Hearts United', have recently returned from a wonderful trip to the Casa Moraga orphanage in Santa Ana, El Salvador.

The young ladies at Casa Morgana are ages 7-17 and have been sexually or physically abused, neglected, or orphaned.

What was the most important part of our July mission trip to Casa Moraga? Perhaps it was being able to work side by side with members of the El Salvador military and civilian friends who all share our desire to see the life of the girls at the orphanage improve.

Maybe it was seeing the joy in the face of the nuns who work selflessly day after day to provide a solid foundation of life for the girls.

It might have been through partnerships with groups like Samaritan's Feet!

Through the generous donation of Samaritan's Feet. we were able to provide shoes for these girls.

Or, perhaps it was the pure joy in the smiles on the faces of the girls themselves. Smiles that were full of love and appreciation for the material gifts, spiritual uplifting, and friendships filled with love and a very real sense of family.

We extend a large, heartfelt "thank you" to Samaritan's Feet for your donation which allowed us to provide these deserving girls with needed shoes!

JOIN SAMARITAN'S FEET ON AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP! CONTACT US HERE!

Manny Ohonme, President/Founder

Samaritan's Feet

WE NEED CHILDREN'S SHOES!!!!!

In the past 9 months, Samaritan's Feet has placed shoes on the feet of well over 400,000 children in need. We are thrilled to reach so many young people with a message of hope and a brand new pair of athletic shoes to protect their feet from infection and disease!

Yet as we continue to meet the needs of those in poverty, our inventory of children's shoes is rapidly declining.

We are in urgent need of new children's athletic shoes, sizes 11 through 2. You can ship or drop off new athletic shoes at a number of locations across the United States. For a list of our regional drop-off sites, click HERE!