This is the fourth year for the LIFE Christmas Shoe Project, and my commitment to this amazing, life-giving outreach only deepens. As vital as all the outreaches of LIFE are to help save lives, I must tell you, this one is just as important to Betty and me.

When children receive new pairs of shoes, their joy is immediate and their smiles are big. Off they go, running, skipping and laughing. Life, for a moment, feels good. I honestly don’t know who is blessed more through this outreach - friends like you who give to make it happen or the children who receive.

Imagine the joy of children, most of whom have never received a gift at Christmas! I like to say,

“This Christmas - joy will come in pairs!”

In the poverty-stricken and undeveloped nations where our outreaches are located, families and children simply cannot afford shoes. Their bare feet are vulnerable to infections that often lead to devastating consequences including crippled feet, disease and in rare cases death.

I can’t begin to adequately describe what a new pair of shoes - made from sturdy, durable, water-resistant material - does to the spirit of these children. This brief moment of happiness, expressed through the gift of shoes, shares Jesus and His love in such a real way.

With your help we will present 200,000 pairs of brand-new shoes, in sizes from children 6 months old to 12 years old. The shoes will be presented to children currently being fed, clothed, provided with water or shelter, or in some way being touched through one of LIFE’s many emergency and life-saving outreaches.

It costs $3.60 to manufacture and deliver each pair of shoes, making our project goal $720,000. That means your gift of $36 will help provide 10 pairs of shoes, $72 will help provide 20 pairs and gifts of $144 will help provide 40 pairs of shoes.

From the bottom of our hearts, Betty and I thank you for giving. We're thankful for friends who, as they give, are kneeling at the feet of children and "washing their feet" by helping provide a wonderful, life-changing gift. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus told His disciples to let the little children, "come unto me" (KJV). Today, He asks us to invite them to come and receive from Him.

We thank God every day we have the opportunity to share with you.