Please Help Us to Go to School!

My dear brothers and sisters, July 24, 2017

This time last year, I reached out to you for help to send the children in the poor neighborhoods of Guaymas to school. Here and, possibly even in the U.S., children cannot go to school without shoes. Imagine the heartache of parents who cannot afford to feed their families making the choice between food or shoes! Yet, however necessary, food cannot provide a way out of the daily crushing burden experienced by the poor. One of the few paths is education.

In the U.S. if a child came to school without shoes, there are social services to help. In Guaymas, the Casa Franciscana Mission is the social service for our barrio children. Last year with your love and generosity we were able to buy shoes for 1,299 children. Those children have now outgrown and worn out those shoes. Other smaller children are also ready for the opportunity to attend school. As many of you prepare to send your own children and grandchildren back to school, please put their faces on a shoeless child standing outside of a shack made of mattress frames and corregated metal and cardboard. Reflect what Jesus would expect of you. Use this opportunity to involve your own children or other family members in helping these girls and boys who were born into poverty.

Twenty dollars ($20) will allow us to provide a voucher to a child to purchase shoes that fit properly and to wear them to school. Donations can be made here or mailed to Casa Franciscana Outreach, PO Box 15576, Scottsdale, AZ 85267

I have seen your big hearts and I have seen the Holy Spirit work through you. I know that you will not take your own blessings for granted and will do whatever you can to help make a difference. As I pray for the poor, I also pray in thanksgiving for you. Please, pray for us and the people we serve, especially the children.

 

Peace and blessings,
Father Tommy King