Occasionally, something seemingly insignificant becomes a turning point in our lives. This happened to me in 2008 when I drove a friend to Baylor University to be honored at a dinner. That evening I met Lester Meriwether, who shared his plans for Literacy Connexus. Since I live in an area where 58% of the population over the age of 27 is classified illiterate, I was very excited.

I cannot put into words the impact that Books for the Border has had on my community of Eagle Pass. The focus has been to put bookshelves and reading material in each home, and we've been able to do that in family reading fairs over the past three years. The joy on the children's faces as they paint and decorate their own bookcases, and their pride in receiving new books and Bibles, is priceless. We were even able to hold a reading fair on the Kickapoo reservation, which is unheard of.

When asked to join the board of directors, how could I say no? What a concept! Thank God for the Books for the Border vision and for people who look beyond themselves to a world that needs to know God and how to read His Word.

Harlene Sadler, board member