Cows and Sheep

                  

Four years ago if you had told me that someday I would be excited to receive an e-mail about cows and sheep I would have thought you were crazy.  However, the e-mail update I received a couple weeks ago made me SO happy.  It's great to be literally fulfilling James 1:27, helping widows in their distress.

In June 2013, 36 widows received one cow and sheep, it was phase 1 of an animal husbandry project in Shanto, Ethiopia.  I've visited Shanto twice now and my next trip is scheduled for early April 2015.    Many of these widows have children in the sponsorship program I coordinate through Children's HopeChest (hint, hint, see sponsorship tab above).  I have 7 little guys who still need a monthly sponsor, just saying!

The e-mail update stated that many of the widows expressed, "...that becoming an owner of an animal was unexpected during their lifetime.  They are obtaining milk and milk products for the use of their family; the offspring gives them hope of having more animals..."  I must admit that it is hard for me to comprehend caring for my family by raising livestock.  It's the second part of James 1:27 at work...keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  It is SO easy to get caught up in our daily lives.  I think caring for others helps give us perspective on our own lives and not take things for granted.

Finally, from 36 cows, 2 have given offspring and 7 more are pregnant.  Of the 36 sheep, 21 have given offspring including a few sets of twins totally 25 offspring.  This is good news!