Everywhere I turn these days, I see hearts. You, too? Especially here in Blogland, where soft, sweet, girly creativity abounds, the message is loud and clear:
Blogland ♥ Valentine’s Day!
Once again this year, I’ll be sending Valentines to the girls of Hope Unlimited for Children, and I’d like to invite you Valentine‘s Day-loving blog friends to join me. Many of you joined me last year … and some of you have already made plans to join me again! Thank you.
For those of you who don’t know about the Valentine Project for Hope Unlimited …
or want to refresh your memory ...
When we think of LOVE, we often think of dating … that human courtship ritual filled with social activities and relational assessment. That critical time in young life when choices affect the future. When conscientious, caring parents pray their children have listened.
But what happens when there were no conscientious, caring parents? When a young girl is abused … or prostituted … by her parents? When she’s taught that her only value is as a sexual object? How can she possibly understand what true love is?
That is the reality for most of the girls at Hope Unlimited for Children. The concept of dating and marriage, love and family, evoke feelings of confusion and guilt and fear. But their story doesn’t have to end there …
In Brazil, the Day of Love is in early Summer. On that day, surrounded by godly women who love them, the girls at Hope Unlimited are taught about true love and purity and what it means to be of value as one of God’s highest creations … and loved by their Creator. As part of their celebration, each girl receives Valentines that show them they are special. Valentines that come from people who took time to make a few extras for someone they don’t know. People like you and me. It’s a very small act that has a huge impact on the way young girls think of themselves … and how they face the future.
Please consider joining me in making Valentines for the girls of Hope. You can be certain you’ll bring happy smiles and growing confidence into a young girl’s life! It can be as simple as making a couple of extras when you write Valentines to your loved ones … or you can make an “event” out of it and involve your Sunday School class, ladies Bible study group, mission group, civic organization, Girl Scout troop, sports team … parents of daughters and granddaughters.
Need some party ideas — or printable cards — or English to Portuguese translations? The hard-working staff at Hope have prepared oh-so-easy ways to help us Celebrate Love with the girls in Brazil. Just go HERE to get all of the project details and resources.
Bloggers, how about doing a post or two sharing the Celebrate Love project with your readers? (Please send me your links. I’d love to read them!) Here are a few “post starters” you might want to consider …
* Early Valentine’s Day memories *
* Handmade Valentines: DIY project w/ instructions or printables *
* Funny Valentine memories *
* How to plan an easy Valentine-making party (include invitation ideas, recipes, etc.) *
* Valentine’s Day letter to my teenage self *
* Try to imagine: Choosing purity after prostitution *
Send your Valentines marked “Valentine Project” to
Hope Unlimited for Children
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, TN 37760
Since Brazil’s Day of Love isn’t until June, you can send your Valentines any time from now through April 1st!
Thanks for stopping by today!
If you’d like to read more about the girls at Hope, go HERE and HERE.
If you’d like to read more about the girls at Hope, go HERE and HERE.
I’ll be partying here:
Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Spiritual Sunday @ Blogger Spirit
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
What a lovely idea – I’d never heard of this before.
Great post! I was not familiar with this organization either. Thanks for sharing this opportunity. I am also sending this to my daughter who has a heart for rescuing girls!
What a beautiful post. I was not aware of this worthwhile organization.
Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
For those of you who are new or only occasional visitors here at My Place to Yours, Hope Unlimited for Children is a 22-year-old organization; my husband (Renaissance Man on my blog) has been its president for the past 5 years. He runs the U.S. side of the ministry (fundraising, speaking, preaching, print materials, etc.) and one of the co-founders runs the Brazil side. With the help of more partner churches/civic groups than ever — and the new venue of Blogland — we’re trying to share the story of Hope with caring people who simply haven’t known of the ministry opportunity before. On behalf of myself and the children of Hope, thanks for being willing to consider celebrating love with us!
What a great idea! I will be sure to mention this to some of the organizations and bloggers at The Justice Conference later this month (http://thejusticeconference.com)!!
Caroline
carolinehaney.blogspot.com
Very interesting, May God Bless you and your ministry!
Thanks for sharing this way to demonstrate love, along with your blues.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan.
Wonderful pics.
My Blue Monday.
This ministry is new to me. Thanks for sharing. Letting girls know they are loved is a wonderful thing.
I will be spreading the word! Thanks for the share! You are wonderful!
What a beautiful idea! Thanks for sharing.
I love that collage of photos.
Catching up with Blue Monday.
My BLUE
It’s always a pleasure to read your comment.
Oh my.. What a beautiful post.. Such a lovely collage… of pics..