I think we can do this

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Update: For those of you who are asking, I think the gummy vitamins are probably what is best to purchase I saw these bottles in Jody's blog pictures so I know they take that kind. Here is what I have found: Target has the best deal so far - "Up & Up Children's Gummy Vitamins", 190 vitamins for about $9.50. Walmart sells a Disney brand princess theme gummy vitamin too, 180 vitamins for $10.00. (You don't have to get these quantities, they just end up being the best price per unit when you break it down.)

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Ok, so here is something I am going to participate in, and I WOULD LOVE for anyone who lives in this area to join with me! Jody Landers (TELL ME you know who she is!) is putting together a suitcase of vitamins for children in Sierra Leone who are malnourished. Read about her partnership with them HERE. Warning: I'm directing you to more stories and pictures that will break your heart and leave you wondering why we are given more food than we could ever eat and small children are falling off of benches because they are hungry and exhausted. (It only takes me picturing my own sweet Robbie and Ellie on that bench in the same situation as these other precious little ones and I'm undone. Like, ugly-crying.)

I'm going to use some of our grocery budget to gather vitamins to send to Jody to add to her suitcase. I wonder if you would consider doing the same? I'll keep my eyes open for sales and deals and let you know what I find locally so that we can stretch our dollars. I'm going to plan on boxing up and sending whatever I can, and hopefully whatever YOU are able to gather as well, on September 25th so that it reaches her by the 29th.

I am having a hard time feeling like I can make any sort of impact on the incredible amount of hunger and poverty in the world. Don't you think this is actually something that we can all do, though? It's so simple. It could really nourish these small children too. I can't ignore the opportunity.

If you want to drop off children's vitamins at my house up until the 25th, I'll leave a box on my front porch and empty it each night. If you don't know where I live, email me (armbruster@hotmail.com) and I'll send you my address. I want you to do this with me so badly that I'm even going to volunteer to drive to your house and pick up whatever vitamins you are able to buy! Let me know how I can help make this something that is easy for you to participate in.

I would love for a big box of vitamins for the children of Sierra Leone to come from DuPage County, a place where we have been blessed so richly that we can't help but give out of our abundance. It is only by God's grace that we aren't sitting on (or falling off of) that bench next to our littlest brothers and sisters, in their same position.

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Jeremiah 22:16 (New International Version)

¹⁶ He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?"
declares the LORD.

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Ps. I would love for those of you who aren't local readers to participate as well! On Jody's blog she mentions several ways you can donate vitamins or send money towards the purchase of vitamins. Please consider?